Causes of Rabbit Infertility: Is It a Reproductive Syst

Causes of Infertility in Female Rabbits

1. Improper Feeding Practices

One of the primary reasons for female rabbit infertility is inadequate feeding and management by the owner. It is crucial for the keeper to carefully control the nutritional balance in the rabbit's diet, preventing them from becoming either overweight or underweight. Additionally, the keeper should promptly and appropriately prepare the rabbits' feed, ensuring that the roughage content is around 16%. It is essential not to neglect postpartum rabbits. Some females may have given birth to a large litter, leading to significant nutritional depletion due to the intense lactation demands. This can affect the rabbit's condition, so the keeper should increase the feeding quantity and nutritional ratio for lactating females to ensure they can successfully participate in the next breeding cycle.

2. Lack of Breeding Skills

In rabbit farming, it is vital for the keeper to be familiar with the timing of the female rabbit's estrus. Failure to accurately determine the estrus period can result in missed breeding opportunities and infertility. Typically, during estrus, the rabbit's appetite decreases, and they may exhibit signs of restlessness, frequently lifting their tails. If a male rabbit is present, the female may also approach the male. The keeper can also inspect the rabbit's vulva, which becomes moist and swollen during estrus. The midpoint of estrus is the optimal time for breeding. Therefore, it is crucial for the keeper to master this skill, promptly detect estrus in the female rabbits, and increase their chances of conception.

3. Incorrect Use of Medications

Many rabbit farmers use hormones like oxytocin or other fertility drugs to boost the estrus in female rabbits. While using fertility drugs can effectively induce estrus, it is crucial to control the dosage. Excessive use or overuse of these medications can disrupt the rabbit's reproductive system, leading to irregular estrus or infertility. In severe cases, it may even cause infertility.

4. Reproductive System Diseases

Reproductive tract diseases in female rabbits can severely impact their breeding and reproduction. If a rabbit shows signs of redness, inflammation, or even ulcers in the reproductive tract, it may be suffering from a reproductive tract disease. Rabbits with such conditions often find it difficult to conceive. Therefore, if a keeper discovers a reproductive tract disease in a rabbit, they should immediately clean and disinfect the affected area with potassium permanganate and administer sulfadiazine or other medications twice a day. The rabbit should not be bred until the inflammation has completely resolved.

Dr. Oxygen Petcare would like to remind you that infertility in female rabbits can also be influenced by certain congenital factors. It is essential for keepers to accurately identify the cause of infertility and provide the most suitable treatment.