Breeder lost a couple of kits.... question

Hi All,

I hope that this is the correct area for this question. I am looking for a bit of advice.

We currently have a beautiful healthy Lion Head- ish bunny and are looking to bond him with another.

Having done all of the research required, we found a local breeder who specialises in show standard Lion Heads.

We viewed the kits at three weeks old, and paid a deposit on one of any of them, as they could not yet be sexed.

On Sunday we had news from the breeder that 2 of the kits have died ( no info given really).

Today my wife followed this up, and another is ill with diorhea, but looks though he may pull through.

I am now concerned about the health of the bunnies and possible future complications if we go through with buying from this breeder.

Any advice is most welcome, as we got our current Boy from Pets at Home, and he is a hardy little chap to say the least!

Many thanks on advance.

I would not buy from the breeder. The enteritis may have been due to Coccidiosis and this can potentially cause longterm problems

Had you thought of getting in touch with a Rescue to adopt rather than buying from a Breeder ? The Rescue may well assist you with bonding and there will also be support after adoption should you have any problems.

Good luck

Hiya - gosh, you must be very disappointed as you must have been mentally preparing for the new arrival.

Personally I would avoid - diarrhoea in young kits is very often due to an infection called coccidiosis which can be extremely serious and, as you've discovered, often fatal especially in babies. It is transferred through faeces so because rabbits often poop and eat from the same area they reinfect themselves easily it can be very difficult to get it under control/eradicated. Any buns who survive the infection can become symptomless carriers. For these reasons I personally would avoid as there is a risk that a bun coming to yours from there could bring it with them, and if it's not a type your bun is naturally used to, it could make him unwell. Obivously it may not be coccidiosis but I wouldn't take the risk, personally.

I assume your lad is neutered ready for his pal? If so, had you considered taking him along to a rescue centre so he can choose a friend of his own? Many rescues can also help you with bonding to ensure that the buns are a good match and also many have youngsters, so it's definitely not the case that all rescue bunnies have been neglected.

Good luck xx

Thanks!

Hi Again,

Many thanks for your help and advice with this. I thought that there may being something up, so our mind is now made up.

We have found another breeder who is not so local, but has a great reputation for lion heads, and by happy accident has a litter ready to go.

It sounds like there is a bit of a charity case amongst them..... not quite show standard and a tad scruffy, which I know we are bound to go for!

Although she will not be a rescue bunny, we will still make sure all of our other critters are rescues.... four hamsters and 2 budgies currently!

Thanks again and happy bunny keeping!

Reagrds

JD

It is very hard to find a good breeder, because you can easily be cheeted into the wrong rabbit. I know that the breeder I usto buy from was not a good breeder which is why I no longer buy from him, but there are several things that could have caused this death, one thing is that they could have died from the cold I have lost many rabbits to the cold,for if a rabbit gets out of the nest even in the summer it could freeze to death. The problem could also be sickness, and of this is the case then you should certainly find a new breeder for the sickness could pass through to the other rabbits. I would ask the breeder to explain exactly what happend and if he/she refuses to answer I would find a new breeder.

jpod_3 said:

Hi Again,

Many thanks for your help and advice with this. I thought that there may being something up, so our mind is now made up.

We have found another breeder who is not so local, but has a great reputation for lion heads, and by happy accident has a litter ready to go.

It sounds like there is a bit of a charity case amongst them..... not quite show standard and a tad scruffy, which I know we are bound to go for!

Although she will not be a rescue bunny, we will still make sure all of our other critters are rescues.... four hamsters and 2 budgies currently!

Thanks again and happy bunny keeping!

Reagrds

JD

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Yes, I would avoid the previous breeder.

But I would also discuss amoungst yourselves and the new breeder what will happen if your bunnies do not bond - by this time the new bunny will be adult and spayed, so not a rabbit that the breeder would be keen to take back, or at least not take back to keep. Also have a think about where you are going to keep her in the meantime before she is spayed, as you usually shouldnt bond before then - perhaps the breeder will be willing to spay the rabbit before rehoming and bond them herself, like rescues do, to save you the expense and stress and risk of it?

nessar said:

Yes, I would avoid the previous breeder.

But I would also discuss amoungst yourselves and the new breeder what will happen if your bunnies do not bond - by this time the new bunny will be adult and spayed, so not a rabbit that the breeder would be keen to take back, or at least not take back to keep. Also have a think about where you are going to keep her in the meantime before she is spayed, as you usually shouldnt bond before then - perhaps the breeder will be willing to spay the rabbit before rehoming and bond them herself, like rescues do, to save you the expense and stress and risk of it?

Click to expand...

Hi Again,

we have been talking to our breeder Dee Millen and she is a great help. I cannot recommended her enough. She is extremely knowledgeable and always there to help. We will be seeing her tomorrow, so am confident in her support.

Thanks for all your help Guys, will be posting Pics of the new one soon!

Cheers

J