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why does our rabbit continually rock from side to side and mutilate herself?

from Janie Dye (jdye_24088@yahoo.com)
My son has a part New Zealand buck and doe. When they were breeding age, they produced a nice bunch of seven babies which the doe took care of fine. When she was re-bred, instead of pulling her hair out just before kindling and lining the nest box, she mutilated her neck, just under her chin, into an open wound about the size of a half-dollar. You could actually see her muscles. After she kindled (during the freezing cold), she ignored the babies and they (only 4 this time) were frozen when we found them in the morning. She also began ever so slowly if you watched closely to sway from side to side. This has gradually become more noticeable and she has become very easily startled. Anyway, we let her neck heal by itself (it is amazing how animals have this capicity) and tried breeding her once more. She did the same thing again; this time she only had 2 babies which were frozen also. I can't find anything in books about her syndrome but it sure appears neurological. She is not going to be used for breeding anymore, but I would think she is safe to eat. Opinions on this is appreciated also. We just haven't done it yet. Since then, we got a beautiful buck and doe cull, pure Californian, from a show breeder. They will be ready to be bred in June. Any thoughts on her problem will be appreciated even though her days are numbered. Thanks, Janie
(posted 9678 days ago)

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