Injured baby Bunny, he’s wild

[ShayC.]

Hi everyone, I’m new and totally lost.

 

Yesterday, my dog found a baby bunny.  Long story short, the bunny I believe is paralized.  He can’t use his back legs.

We put him in a small dog crate last night, with what was left of the nest and some other grass.  I gave him some water and food.  He didn’t eat anything.  This afternoon, I gave him a little cows milk (I know I probably shouldn’t have, but it was all I had on hand).  Before I left for a couple of hours I checked on him and he had his head buried and was sleeping.  When I got back I checked on him, and he is sitting up.

 

He seems fine, other than not being able to move his back legs and has a “bubble” over his right thigh.  He doesn’t seem to be in any pain… he isn’t vocalizing or anything like that.  I can’t tell if the “bubble” is full of blood or what.  I always wear gloves when I’m handling the bunny. 

 

My mom is a nurse and she seems to think that as long as he isn’t making any noise he’s probably ok.  I’m a vet tech, and have no experience with wild animals. 

 

Do I need to try to stimulate him to go to the bathroom?  How do I do this?

 

Please, help me… I have no idea!

[ShayC.]

Just a little update…

I went to give him some milk before bed, and when I put him in the crate, he pulled himself to the back and then around and over to where he’s been laying. Practically doing a little circle from where I put him. =-)

I put some water in a little lid for him and he has some food.

Oh, and just to let you know… I did call a rehab lady, but she wanted to just put him to sleep, and she lives a good distance from me, which with travel with a toddler isn’t possible.

[2lops]

” You can use Regular Goat Milk found in the carton at your local grocery store.You can also use KMR (Kitten Milk Replacer) available at most pet stores for the handfeeding formula. Avoid ANY regular milk, puppy formulas, etc. ”
(from HRS site)

Hope that helps with the feeding issue.

“Only if the eyes are closed……use a cotton ball moistened with warm water and gently stroke the anal area until the bunny starts producing stool and urine and keep stroking until the bunny stops.”
(HRS)

Hope this helps. I know alot of the admins and other members have more experience with baby rabbits so this info is just to tide you over for a little bit  Good Luck!

 

[KatnipCrzy]

His injuries should be evaluated by a vet to determine if the animal is suffering or not- not moving the back legs and the “bubble” you describe is concerning.

[RabbitPam]

You said you are a vet tech. Can you bring it in today for your vet to look at? If you think the mother rabbit has abandoned it, or will do so, than keeping it with you is helping – otherwise I would have said return it under protective cover to its mother’s care, but she may not care for it since it’s disabled.

Your vet or a colleague should be able to see what the problem is with its leg and possibly know what the bubble is. It may take an x-ray. I would urge you to pack it gently in a carrier or box this morning and bring it to work.

Once healed, try to find a Rescue that works with wild animals so it can be prepared for release back into the wild. It may need to live at an animal sanctuary or good zoo if it can’t survive later on its own.

[Moonlight_Wolf]

The bubble might be an abscess it is what bunnies get sometimes if they get a cut and it gets infected.

[Author]

Messages