It's the morning of day 34, and still no babies

by J
(Northern Ohio)

She's a female lionhead, so she's pretty fluffy. And that makes it extremely hard to tell if she's pregnant or not. As I said, it's the 34th day, and nothing. I'm really, really afraid that something's wrong. But my mom refuses to take her to a vet because the nearest one that's open is a whole 45 minutes away. Which, considering where we live, is extremely close. We put a nest box in on day 28, and she built a nest in it immediately. But considering how late it's getting, I'm terrified. I've been helplessly searching the internet for hours, and you're my only hope.


***** Karen Sez *****

One good way to increase your suspicions of a pregnancy is to weigh the doe, but the weight is only useful if you knew the rabbit's usual non-pregnant weight.

Sometimes the only thing one can do is wait and pray. If today is day 34, and there are no bunnies within the next couple days, then try rebreeding the doe. If she willingly accepts the buck, chances are better that she wasn't pregnant. If she has a hissy-fit, or if she hunkers down in a corner uncooperatively, the likelihood exists that she might still be pregnant.

Delivering on day 34 or later might work out fine; the concern in dwarf breeds when the doe goes too long, however, is dystocia, or a stuck kit, due to large blocky heads. On the other hand, if she's not pregnant at all, then there's no danger to the doe.

We wish we could be more helpful; sometimes to be sure, you really need a vet. Hopefully Monday will be soon enough.

Good luck.

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Aug 06, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		41 days no kits
by: Anonymous

I have a Holland Lop that’s about a year and a half old and this is possibly her 5th pregnancy. The lady I got her from bred her 4 confirmed times in 6 months. I got her in the hopes of retiring her and getting her fixed. I got her on August 1st, and she started pulling hair and a lot of it and nesting on August 2nd> The last time she was around any males was June 26th, so today marks 41 days. Is there a chance she is pregnant or is this a false pregnancy?

She’s still being territorial of her box and nesting but she has stopped pulling as much hair. She’s still active and eating and drinking fine and not acting like she’s hurting or there’s anything wrong. I have a vet appointment set up for her but they can’t see her until next week. Any ideas or suggestions on what to do? This is my first time ever dealing with a pregnant or possibly pregnant rabbit.

***** Karen Sez *****
Hmm, I'm guessing false pregnancy, during which the doe is fully convinced she's pregnant, with all the behaviors that go with pregnancy (minus the litter, of course).

If a doe goes past 35 days, it is usually safe to assume a false pregnancy, unless you've unmistakably seen little kicks in the belly, and had palpated and felt the little fetuses. I've heard very rarely of pregnancies lasting to day 41, but that is extremely ultra-rare.

You'll find lots of answers here:
Rabbit Raising Problem Solver.
Rabbit Reproduction.
Jan 03, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Doe pregnant or sick?
by: Anonymous

I placed the nest box inside at 27 days. The doe didn't go near it until the 29 day. She has not pulled any fur and hasn't built a nest. She continuously lays in the box and doesn't come out to eat. It's now day 32. Could she be pregnant or should I attempt to rebreed her?

***** Karen Sez *****

Hmmm. "Doesn't come out to eat" is a concerning observation. Perhaps she gets herself some snacks in the middle of the night? Wouldn't be the first doe that went off feed due to being very pregnant, though. The fact that she hasn't pulled fur might mean she is not pregnant, then again, some does just wait till the last minute. At this stage it is a waiting game.

I'd re-breed on day 35. I'd also try to re-check the doe and see if you can see little movements of kit-feet against her sides or other confirmation of a definite pregnancy. Bottom line: if you become very concerned about the doe's condition, a vet opinion should be your next option. Good luck with everything.
May 31, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Day 21
by: Lee

Can't palpate my doe as she keeps going for me lol it's day 21 now, should I just put nest in on day 28 and hope for the best? She never went for me before and we had her 5 years now. This is the 3rd time trying. If no good this time I'm just going to leave her.

***** Karen Sez *****

If you're certain of the dates, then yes, your plan is a good one. The problem I see is her age - at 5 years old this rabbit is already in the middle of menopause, lol. Not impossible, but I'll be surprised if she kindles and raises a litter. Let us know how it goes, okay?
May 19, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Palpate
by: Lee

It's been 9 days since I put doe with buck. I tried to see if I could feel any kits in her belly last night but couldn't. Its first time I've tried so don't no if was doing it right or not. Is 9 days too soon or not?

***** Karen Sez *****

9 days is a bit early - the embryos would be marble-sized. You could recognize them if you knew what you were feeling.

Try again around day 12. At that point they are more like large grapes, easier to distinguish within the general lumpy softness of the abdomen.

Rabbit Raising Problem Solver gives an excellent drawing of the correct method and location of palpation, as well as instructions.

Good luck with everything!
May 11, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		35 days no kits
by: Lee

Following your advice on 10th may I put doe outside with buck to see if she'd let him near her. And it was other way round, she was trying to mount him lol. After a few minutes she stopped teasing him and lay down raised her tail. I left them together for few hours. So fingers crossed she takes this time.

***** Karen Sez *****
Good job! The doe was READY, lol.
Yep, she'll "take" this time. Nest in on day 28; kits on the evening of day 31 ...... we hope!
May 10, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		No kits 35 days
by: Lee

My doe built nest (20 days) now 35 days n no kits.

***** Karen Sez *****

Building a nest at 20 days (or earlier) frequently reflects a false pregnancy.

At this point, unless you can see kits kicking in her belly, I'm guessing there will be no babies, and you can re-breed.
Jul 17, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		41 days and still no babies
by: Sanda

It's been 41 days and no babies or not pulling of hair. what should I do. You can feel the babies moving. concerned for Mama and babies. Not her first liter.

***** Karen Sez *****
I'm assuming you're feeling the actual kicks of little bunny feet, and not the rolling waves of intestinal digestion, yes? At this point, then, a vet visit is important. There is perhaps a baby stuck, and if so, then the lives of the doe AND kits is in danger. Good luck.
Oct 22, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		is my doe still pregnant
by: Anonymous

I have a mini lop doe, who has raised 2 beautiful litters, she had both litters between 11 and 12 am in the morning and of the 30th day, made her nest an hour or so before kindling, this time she has made her nest 2 weeks before, she is due on Thursday, her nest has not been touched by her since, do you think it was a false pregnancy, or has she self aborted.

***** Karen Sez *****
Frantic nest building at the two week point followed by disinterest is almost certainly a sign of a false pregnancy. The false-pregnancy hormones revert to normal around day 17, which is why the doe loses interest in all things maternal ... sorry!

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