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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 4 2013, 09:09 AM (375 Views) | |
| ZRabbits | Jul 4 2013, 09:09 AM Post #1 |
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Love My Lions!
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As I look where I'm going regarding my Silver Marten Lionhead program, and look at the 6 Lionheads in my living room (yes you are reading right, lol), my thought comes to health. Color and SOP are important, but the rabbits have to be healthy. Here's where I am at with the 6 rabbits in my living room. This would be the time to get a cup of coffee, cup of tea or whatever beverage you like, because yes I'm long winded and want to explain as thoroughly as I can so that you can give honest advise or ask more questions. I found out things lead to more questions. My LH Buck came down with "Wry Neck" or Encephelitis (excuse spelling, to lazy to get up and look it up) at 13 weeks. Buck did experience the rolling of the eyes, spinning and his head started to tilt slightly. Rabbit Savy Vet (background in Meat Rabbits only) said needs to be put down because of this. I requested that we treat. I let the Vet know about possible vienna background in my Buck and that a certain antibiotic is harmful to a vienna background rabbit. I requested Baytril (Vet also supplied pain meds and dizziness meds). He thanked me for the information on the vienna background rabbit and their affect with certain antibiotics. We agreed that if there were no affect, that yes he would be humanely euthanized. I had read thoroughly the research conducted and posted for all to view about Wry Neck that it could take up to a month for the head to be level again and that I should make sure all the meds were taken. Also massaging the neck could help the rabbit loosen the neck muscles. We did both. ETA: My husband wanted me to add that he massaged the buck's neck religiously. Every night for about 1 to 1-1/2 hours. This was done for 21 days. Even after the buck's neck was leveled, my husband continued because he wanted to stimulate the neck muscle to assure their strength. I did contact the breeder that same day (just came home that day with one of her does to find my buck ill) and she stated she premeds at 3 months. I was unaware of this. I do not blame the breeder for not letting me know nor for premedicating. I take this all as a learning experience to help myself and my program. I feel that is a individual choice to pre-medicate, but feel that it should be told to the potential buyer. My doe never had any symptoms of Wry Neck. She's been very healthy and even went through the stress of kindling with flying colors. Actually she proved that as most professional Lionhead breeders know, Lionheads are very good mothers. The 4 kits from this Buck and Doe have no symptoms as well and have had no problems dealing with new and stressful situations. I know from the last 2 years that anything new must be introduced slowly, just like food. Though some stress, it's easier for my rabbits to deal with new things and situations. Now here's my question, and yes finally get to the point. Does this mean my doe has a better immune system, since she fought off Wry Neck without premedication, than my buck did and that stronger immune system happened to be passed to the kits as they are healthy? Just curious. Would love to hear some input. Edited by ZRabbits, Jul 4 2013, 09:29 AM.
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| ZRabbits | Jul 4 2013, 09:59 AM Post #2 |
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Love My Lions!
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Also would like to add that I found wheat grass beneficial in helping this buck fight the Wry Neck. The wheat grass stimulated the buck to eat (first 3 to 4 days just hay, but he was eating. By the 5th day, the buck started to be interested in the pellets, but still relied on the hay and wheat grass for nourishment.) Plus wheat grass has mass of trace minerals, which a rabbit depends on. I feel this also helped boost the buck's immune system and with the one round of medication, helped his immune system deal and fight off the illness. Just trying to paint a full picture of what occurred. |
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| athomepets | Jul 4 2013, 12:45 PM Post #3 |
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This bunny isn't leaving anytime soon
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It could just mean that your doe was never exposed to e.cunniculi. Personally I would not use for breeding any animal that came down with an illness that is mostly immunologically oriented. I want to breed for the healthiest strongest rabbits I can. So I would not use your buck for breeding. |
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AT Home Pets My rabbitry blog Rabbit Talk Blog | |
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| ZRabbits | Jul 4 2013, 02:08 PM Post #4 |
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Love My Lions!
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Truly appreciate your input. This buck will never breed, just be a beloved pet. The doe will also never be bred. Luna's my Husband's girl. They have a special bond so she's here to just enjoy life. She definitely has "woolie ears", mark of too much Angora, but She really gave us the most marvelous experience of kindling. When we woke on October 4th, we found no placentas, no blood, kits clean and so was she. All the evidence we had that she gave birth was a mound of fur that moved. The kits will stay here, but interested about the test that was mentioned on the other thread. Knowing if the kits are carriers before taking Tonks to the show would make me feel a bit less stressed. I don't want to expose any rabbit to anything that I have knowledge of. I don't know about e.cunniculi as well as some, but it is my responsibility if I am to be a responsible breeder. And to be perfectly honest, it's all been a learning experience. Know it's expensive. But I'm just going to test one rabbit. I'll share results. Thanks again. |
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| NeuBunny | Jul 4 2013, 07:12 PM Post #5 |
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Genetics Geek!
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I do not believe wry neck transmits vertically from the buck. If the kits had shown symptoms, I would have assumed he passed it to the doe (even if she was asymptomatic due to a strong immune system), and then she passed it to the kits. But with neither she nor the kits showing symptoms, I wouldn't worry that they are carriers - chances are they were never exposed. |
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| ZRabbits | Jul 5 2013, 05:53 AM Post #6 |
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Love My Lions!
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Thanks Neubunny. I'm concerned. My husband feels the same way you do. If the doe and kits are not showing symptoms, then it was never passed. I'm new at this. I just don't want a sick bunny. That's why I strive so hard for their immune system. Plus I don't want my problems passing on to another bunny at a show. We hear such horror stories about showing and sickness. Don't know if this is actually true, because there are groups out here trying to stop show rabbits. Don't know why, it's only what I hear and with such uproar out there in the Bunny World, newbies like me don't know the truth from fiction. That's the shame of it. But I am learning. And I will share what I learn. Thanks again Neubunny. Really appreciate your input. |
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| NeuBunny | Jul 6 2013, 10:06 AM Post #7 |
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Genetics Geek!
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My 2 cents... Shows are a location where there is lots of potential for exposure -- for most of us it is really the only place where our rabbits come in contact with other rabbits (outside of bringing a new rabbit home). They are also unquestionably a relatively stressful event in the lives of most rabbits - anything out of routine tends to stress rabbits at least somewhat. That said, my kids and I show about 5-10 times per year -- and have never had an illness that we felt was picked up at a show. Others show far more often and really, having your rabbit pick up a disease from exposure at a show seems relatively rare. Sure, your rabbits have a lower chance of being exposed to disease if they never leave your home and never come into contact with others of their species -- the same is true for humans, but we don't barricade our families at home and avoid all potentially stressful situations just to avoid potential exposure to disease. Edited by NeuBunny, Jul 6 2013, 10:06 AM.
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