Baby Rabbit

[jellyrose]

We rescued a baby cotton tail from the cat this evening (cats are normally indoor cats but one escaped when the UPS man came!)…. poor thing had a bloody ear and a puncture wound on it’s back leg. We have cleaned him up (had a little look at the underneath and it looks like a him) put some neosporin on his cuts and he is currently in the other rabbits crate in the bathroom, with a vet bed and a heating pad. I have had domestic rabbits my whole life but have never had any experience with wild cotton tails, are they very different? I would ultimately like to put this one back out in the wild but does anyone know about releasing rabbits? I’ve never done it before, and don’t want to put the poor thing in any danger out there but I also don’t want be crule to it by keeping it captive (ofcourse I would try to give it a home if there is no way of putting back out in the wild). Anyone know anything about cotton tails? Any info would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks. I’ll post a picture soon.

[jerseygirl]

Yes, they’re different. It’s great what you’ve done so far though. Their survival rate is not good, so I suggest you contact local wildlife rescuers and get some advice from them.

Edit: http://www.rabbit.org/care/orphan.html  Hope this helps

[Barbie]

I can’t really offer any advice about wild rabbits, because I’ve never had any experience with them. It’s commendable that you saved him and are trying to rehabilitate him. However, you should definitely quarantine this wild bunny from your current bunny(s). He could have all manner of mites, fleas, parasites, etc. that you don’t want to transfer to your house pets. Keep him in a separate room if possible, wash your hands after touching him, and if possible, change your clothes (and wash those asap) after. 

I would handle him as little as possible – you don’t want him to begin to associate humans as “safe” if you’re planning to release him back to the wild.

Do you have a local wildlife center or wildlife rescue? You could call them and ask for tips on how to help him – and they might be willing to take him in and rehab him themselves.

ETA: Lol, I just saw that Jersey mentioned the same thing about the wild life rescue.  Maybe this list will get you started… There are a couple listings for rescues in Huntington Beach.  http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/wildlife/rehabilitators/california-rehabilitators.html

[jellyrose]

Thanks for that information. We’re actually up in the mountains in SoCal right now. I found a wildlife rehabilitation facility nearby call the Living Desert. I will give them a call tomorrow! Thanks you again! He is separated from our other bunny and the Dogs and Cats and we are trying to leave him be as much as possible! (even though he’s so darn cute!).

[Barbie]

Welcome! Let us know how that turns out! * fingers crossed for healing vibes for little wild bunny! *

And post some pictures for us of him, if you can!

[Elrohwen]

Are his eyes open? In general, once a cottontail has his eyes open and is eating grass, he’s ready to be out of the nest. They wean very early, so pretty much as soon as the babies can hop out on their own, they’re good to go. I would watch his injuries for another day or two, since putting him outside with injuries could be very bad for him, then let him go.

If his eyes aren’t open yet, you can try feeding him with KMR but I believe the chances that he will make it through weaning are very very slim 🙁

[jellyrose]

The Baby bunny did really well for 4 days, so we decided to take him down to the Living Desert Zoo in Palm Spring as they rehab wild animals. But poor bun didn’t like the car ride I guess because he died on the way down : (.

[Andi]

aaw, poor little thing.
You did everything you could for him. Baby bunnies are so hard to hand raise, and if he had a cat bite infection from that is a high risk, and well just stress.

[Lunar~Atticus]

aww im soo orry he didnt make it. but kudos for at least trying for the little guy!

[Author]

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