Pregnancy and Nursing Management for Embryo-Transferred and Genetically Modified Rabbits

We describe a pregnancy and nursing management technique for embryo-transferred rabbit and genetically modified rabbits aimed at reducing the mortality rate of baby rabbit and enhancing the preparation effect of gene-edited rabbit. It is often difficult for a beginner to successfully prepare gene-edited rabbit, and they often encounters unpleasant problem as low pregnancy rate, abortion, difficult birth. mother rabbit refuse to breastfeed, and there are often die of baby rabbit.

Compared to the traditional natural childbirth and nurturing method used in rabbit farms, this approach involves more refined management, requiring additional time and effort, but significantly increasing the survival rate of newborn rabbits. To begin, obtain a rabbit that has received embryos through a transfer procedure. Hold the neck skin behind the rabbit's ears with one hand and position its buttocks forward towards the abdominal cavity.

With the other hand, gently palpate the back end of the abdomen to detect pregnancy signs. On the 25th day after embryo transfer, fix an incubator on one side of the delivery cage and place towels, shavings, or paper scraps inside to create a nest for the pregnant rabbit. Provide adequate feed and drinking water in the cage and gently move the pregnant rabbit to the prepared delivery cage.

Then, on the 30th day of pregnancy, hold the neck skin of the rabbit behind its ears with one hand, and position the rabbit's buttocks forward towards the abdominal cavity. Use the other hand to gently palpate the back end of the abdomen to evaluate the condition of the fetuses. If the pregnant rabbit has conceived only one to two fetuses, inject 0.02 milligrams of cloprostenol intramuscularly at 5:00 PM to induce delivery the following day.

If the rabbit exhibits signs of delivery such as restlessness, rapid breathing, ear vascular dilation, or nesting behavior, inject 10 units of oxytocin intramuscularly to induce labor. Next, arrange and prepare the incubator. Add sterile absorbent padding, such as corn cob granules, to the incubator.

Spread a towel as a mat and cover it with artificial down cotton. Quickly wipe the mucus off the newborn rabbit with a towel to ensure smooth breathing and place the cleaned rabbit in the incubator. Note down the number of offspring after cleaning them all.

Following partum, using alcohol-soaked cotton, clean all the nipples of the mother rabbit before the first feeding. Gently massage each nipple and squeeze out the first drop of milk. Place the mother rabbit on a mat in a lateral or prone position and guide the one to two-day-old baby rabbits one by one to the nipples to suck milk.

On the second day after birth, mark the back of each baby rabbit using a marker pen. To feed the baby rabbits over two days old, place the mother rabbit in the incubator to breastfeed independently. After the young rabbits open their eyes at about two weeks of age, move them to a nursing cage lined with a towel.

After separating the mother rabbit from the young rabbits, open the baffle once daily for breastfeeding. Allow the mother rabbit to drink and eat freely during lactation and offer her appropriate green feed to ensure adequate nutrition.