How to resuscitate kits?
by Rach
(USA)
My rabbit had 4 babies sometime Wednesday night however all were dead when we went out. I have heard if you hold them with their nose and mouth out of warm water you can bring them back but I was wondering if there is another way and how long should I do it for or how to tell if they are alive again. Please respond A.S.A.P thanks, and anyone's comments are greatly appreciated.
***** Karen Sez *****There is no way to revive kits that have died. If the toenails are reddened in the quick, the kits are likely already dead. (It doesn't hurt to attempt a resuscitation; just know that it might not work.)
If kits are chilled, they might look and act dead, but still be alive. How to tell? Toenails that are clear, or still seeing some sluggish movements. In this case, there are two ways that we know of to resuscitate kits:
1) Place the kit against your own skin for an extended length of time, long enough for it to regain heat from your body. Just know that normal for you is 98.6 degrees F; normal for rabbits is 102 degrees F. It might take a few hours to revive the kit to the point of movement. Once the kit is moving, however sluggishly, placing it back into a warm nest with littermates will finish warming the kit.
2) Submerging the kit's body in tepid water (not head) works wonders much more quickly. Keep it in the warm water long enough for the heat to penetrate into the kit's core - maybe 7-10 minutes or so. You should see some signs of life, if any is left, by then. Once it is moving fairly vigorously, dry it off completely and return it to its snug warm nest and littermates.
Be very careful about using heating pads etc. to warm kits, unless you can ensure a temperature not exceeding 102F.