It is certainly beneficial and interesting to breed rabbits: these animals can be a source of income or please with their existence as a pet. But, like all representatives of the animal world, they have their own characteristics. In this article, we will talk about what a false pregnancy in rabbits is, why it occurs and how it can affect the female's physical and mental health.
What is a false pregnancy
False pregnancy, or sukrolnost, in rabbits is accompanied by hormonal changes in the body and proceeds almost the same as usual, but its main difference is the lack of fertilized eggs and, accordingly, it ends earlier than normal, and does not lead to the appearance of offspring.
The body of this animal is designed in such a way that the ovulation of the female begins immediately before sexual contact with the male, so after it an impulse automatically comes to the rabbit's brain that she is pregnant, as 3-9 ovules are sent towards the spermatozoa at once.
Did you know? By nature, rabbits are excellent athletes, they can reach speeds of around 55 km / h, jump over three meters and perform meter high jumps.And even if their fertilization does not occur for any reason, the rabbit begins to actively prepare to meet with the offspring.
Video: how to check pregnancy rabbit
Causes of false pregnancy
Several factors can provoke a false sugaryness, let's consider them in more detail:
- Male "poor quality sperm" - a decrease in the activity of spermatozoa can be triggered by intense heat, exhaustion, or disease of a rabbit.
- Long daylight hours: the longer the daylight hours, the more active the “mating games” of rabbits, so if females live together with males, frequent mating can deplete their organisms.
- Sterile male - mating with such a partner leads to the false suckling of the rabbit.
- Hormonal changes in the body of the female - hormonal disorders can cause a false pregnancy, even without the participation of the male.
Read more about how long it lasts and how to determine the rabbit suckle.
Symptoms
And now let's see how to recognize such a state in a rabbit, and what are the main differences between false and normal. In order not to be mistaken, it is very important to observe the behavior and health of the nursery.
Manifestation of aggression
One of the first and main signs of a false pregnancy is the abnormally aggressive behavior of the rabbit, which applies to both her brothers and the people who care for animals. The female bites, growls and does not admit to itself anybody. 
Restless behavior
Eared can not find a place for himself, is nervous, shows excessive activity. For example, constantly digging holes or nibbling something, such behavior is another sure sign of a false pregnancy.
Losing weight
Stressful state leads to the fact that the bunny begins to lose weight. Sharp weight loss and constant anxiety of the nursery - this is a reason to take a closer look and in time to recognize the cause that caused weight loss.
Important! Already 2 weeks after intercourse with a real pregnancy, the rabbit in the abdomen feels embryos, but only specialists are allowed to perform this procedure.
Change in appetite
In connection with hormonal changes in the body, an animal may refuse to eat or, on the contrary, acquire an uncharacteristic appetite, constantly experience a feeling of hunger and absorb more food than usual. 
Nest construction
Arranging a cozy nest for babies is an absolutely normal process if it occurs 2-3 days before delivery. But if the cat starts building a house 14-21 days after mating, that is, much earlier than the time it is - this is a serious reason to assume that her pregnancy is false.
And one more bell that something went wrong is when the female pulls out the shreds of wool and uses them as a building material, respectively, it can be noticed by the not so good "fur coat" of the animal.
Did you know? It turns out that, according to the results of numerous studies, rabbits can distinguish only 2 colors - green and red.
Marks territory
Females can begin to spray their urine during a false sukololnost, and they mark both the owners and their fellows, than they try to express their dominance. 
Nipples swell
Swelling of the nipples and the release of milk from the mammary glands is a serious reason to think that a false pregnancy has occurred in the cattery, and in such a situation it should be immediately shown to the veterinarian.
Important! If the diagnosis of false sucreability is confirmed, the rabbit's mammary glands should be probed for 2-3 days, since such changes in the hormonal background of the body can provoke mastitis.
What to do
The false pregnancy of the rabbit is an unpleasant circumstance both for the animal and for its owner, and it is very important to behave correctly in such a situation in order to preserve the health of the animal and its nerves. Experienced breeders know that the most important thing is to remain calm and adhere to simple rules and recommendations, let's consider which ones.
Wait
The best option is not to disturb the already nervous animal, and in any case not to destroy the built nest. After 17-18 days, the false pregnancy ends, and on the 20th to 21st hormonal background of the female, she recovers well, and her behavior becomes the same. 
Re-mating
One false pregnancy is not a cause for concern and does not mean that the rabbit has health problems, you should try it again with the male. But if the problem persists, you need to take action.
It will be useful for you to read in more detail about why the rabbit cannot give birth and gives birth to dead rabbits, as well as familiarize yourself with the causes of aggression in the rabbit and the methods of her calming down.
Sterilize
If re-mating did not succeed or there were several false sugaryness, it is recommended to sterilize the female. Such an operation will help prevent subsequent false pregnancies and possible problems with the health of the animal, for example, mastitis and cancer of the uterus or mammary glands. After the organs of the reproductive system are removed, the rabbit becomes calmer and there is no risk of a repetition of false sugaryness. 
Score rabbit
This radical method is used when rabbits are raised exclusively for breeding, and the female, who has problems with the reproductive system, is simply not needed, since the main goal of the breeder is healthy offspring.
We advise you to read about how to score a rabbit at home.
How to prevent a false pregnancy
Experienced breeders argue that such a problem can be prevented in several ways, namely:
- Herbal decoctions and infusions - they are added to the food of females before mating. To do this, use chamomile, basil, lemon balm or sage.
- Regular check-ups at the vet - annually it is necessary to show the rabbit (if it is breeding or belongs to representatives of rare breeds) to a specialist who, as a result of the examination, will reveal all the problems with the reproductive system, if they exist. Of course, it is possible to show all the pets to the doctor, but this is quite expensive for the breeder.
- Mating with two different males - mating is carried out first with one rabbit, and then after a short period of time with another. Due to the fact that the rabbit has a special uterus (bifurcated), it greatly increases the chances of at least one pregnancy, but it is worth noting that two pregnancies and a rabbit can endure them with success.
Why cause a false pregnancy?
Sometimes, immediately after the birth of rabbits, breeders deliberately cover the rabbit with an emasculated male. This is necessary in order to reassure the newly-made mother and awaken her maternal instinct, because very often after the birth of the first cubs, the rabbit behaves aggressively towards them and does not care at all.
Did you know? Ears have unusual vision, they can see what is happening behind their back without turning their heads.
It is believed that this behavior causes stress after childbirth and memories of pain. You can rectify the situation with the help of provocation, that is, artificially induced false sukropolnost. For this, her pet is taken with a sterile rabbit, her hormonal background changes, and she begins to take care of her children.
Now you know what a false pregnancy in rabbits is, how it can be caused and how a breeder should behave when such a situation arises. One of the main points is the attentive attitude to animals and their state of health, as well as the timely response of the owner to the deterioration of health and changes in the behavioral characteristics of the animals.
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