I also need to know why our rabbit kittens keep dying… I have read other posts but I am still confused.
Our doe just had her second litter. Her first litter was 7 kittens and all survived. This litter was also 7 kittens. Since they were born, about 3 weeks ago, we have lost 5 kittens. The first one after a couple of days, the second one after a week and for the last three days we have had one dying each day. All of the dead kittens have looked strong and healthy. We have checked for worms or other diseases in the intestines but found nothing in the stomach and nothing in the liver and lungs. The stomachs have been full of milk. I found that one of the dead kittens had a transparent, gooey, jelly-like liquid in the anus.
We haven't fed the kittens intensionally, but we have fed the doe with oats (both rolled and full grain), pellets and fresh greens (leafs, grass, etc.). The kittens have had access to this food. But I am not sure if they have been eating it.
We're based in Denmark so it's summer right now. There is no way the kittens have died from cold. I would be surprised if they haves died from heat as some of the kittens died while the rabbit-house has been placed in shadow. The cage is on wheels and we move it daily in order to give the rabbits access to fresh grass.
The first litter (where all 7 survived) was born in early spring.
Both litters have been from the same buck.
The doe gets fresh water from a bottle every day. We haven't been serving water to the kittens as we thought they would get sufficient liquid from the milk. We placed a bowl of water in front of the kittens yesterday, but still had one dying this morning. So I don't think that dehydration is the probably (also the stomachs have been full of milk…).
What might we do wrong?
Thank you!
