Causes of Unfertilized Rabbits and Early Pregnancy Loss
Section 1: Primary Causes of Unsuccessful Breeding in Female Rabbits
1. Immature Sexual Development: Many rabbits reach physical maturity but are not yet sexually mature. It's important to note that sexual maturity can occur later than physical maturity in many cases.
2. Nutritional Deficiencies in Diet: The nutritional content of the feed provided to rabbits may not meet the standards required for breeding purposes.
3. Inadequate Feeding Quantities: Both overfeeding and underfeeding can negatively impact the rabbit's breeding success.
4. Poor Quality Semen: The quality of the semen from the male rabbit can be a significant factor.
5. Lack of Mating Opportunities: If the male rabbit has not been mated for an extended period, it can affect breeding outcomes.
6. Ovulation Issues: The female rabbit may not be ovulating, leading to unsuccessful breeding attempts.
7. Reproductive System Diseases: Conditions such as uterine, ovarian, or fallopian tube inflammation can decrease the rabbit's fertility rates.
Section 2: Reasons for Abortions in Pregnant Female Rabbits
1. Nutritional Deficiencies: A lack of essential vitamins, such as Vitamin A and D, can lead to fetal development issues, causing abortions or stillbirths in pregnant rabbits.
2. Illness: Conditions like E. coli, enteritis, or parasitic infections during pregnancy can result in abortions, stillbirths, or malformed offspring.
3. Reproductive Disorders: Severe reproductive system diseases can prevent fertilization and lead to abortions or stillbirths even after conception.
4. Incorrect Medication: The use of potent medications during pregnancy can cause abortions.
5. Vaccination: Vaccinations can be highly stressful for pregnant rabbits, often leading to abortions if administered during pregnancy.
6. Inbreeding: Inbreeding can lead to a decline in offspring quality, resulting in abortions, stillbirths, or malformed fetuses.
7. Rough Handling: Inexperienced handling of the abdomen can cause embryo damage or death if the eggs are mistaken for fecal matter.
8. Excessive Stress: Pregnant rabbits are more susceptible to stress, which can lead to abortions if they are startled or subjected to loud noises.
9. Shearing During Pregnancy: Shearing rabbits during pregnancy can disrupt fetal development and increase the risk of abortions.
10. Rough Handling: Rough handling or catching can scare the pregnant rabbit, potentially causing an abortion.
11. Rebreeding After Pregnancy: If a pregnant rabbit is not isolated from males, a subsequent mating can lead to abortions.
12. Advanced Age: Older rabbits may experience more difficulty with pregnancy, leading to abortions and increased mortality in offspring.
13. Trauma: External hazards like splinters from wooden cages or rough surfaces can cause trauma and lead to abortions.
These are the reasons summarized by Oxygen Pet Doctor for female rabbits facing unsuccessful breeding and the risk of abortion during pregnancy. We hope this information is helpful to you!