Tiny baby rabbit (4 weeks?) not eating!

[Lotto]

Hi, I’m new and I hope you don’t mind me butting in here.  I have an immediate need for help. 

I have two young rabbits that I have rescued from our local stable.  Both are white with black spots, both are from the same litter and appear to be 4 weeks old. 

One is doing great, the other has just stopped eating today. 

When I first took them in, about a week ago, the tiny one didn’t eat much and because it was tiny, I gave it KMR (not too much, I know about how and when to feed the babies) It did fine, picking at the grass hay and some pellets and eating a carrot top and dandillions. 

It stopped wanting milk last Friday, but had been eating ‘normal’ food, so I didn’t force the issue.  It picked at food all weekend but today, it is not eating at all.  I tried to start the milk back up, but it doesn’t want that either. 

I don’t want to try to force it to eat “solid”, I have critical care, food because I don’t know how well it will digest it. 

It’s just sitting in the pen with the other baby, who is eating like a champ, and looks like it may be dying.  It has been drinking water, and it did pick at a carrot top this morning. 

Is there a trick in this case, that I should try?  I have experience with rabbits, I have three of my own….these are just two rescues that I couldn’t leave to die.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[Sarita]

http://www.rabbit.org/care/babies.html#Fee…by_Rabbits

Here’s a good link from the House Rabbit Society on feeding orphaned baby rabbits.  Do you have a vet that you can take the baby too as well just in case?

[Beka27]

Thank you for taking those poor babies in! It sounds like you’ve done a great job with them so far… I think a vet might be needed to see what’s going on.

[Lotto]

I do have a vet. I’ve had terrible luck with baby rabbits and vets. I’ve lost 1/2 of the babies that I’ve had and I feel like I’m throwing my money away. They just “try” things too.

[Beka27]

Beyond that, I really don’t know. Baby bunnies are so hard to raise by hand b/c while the KMR is an adequate substitute, it’s not *exactly* what they need like mama bunny’s milk. There is also such a high chance of parasites in baby buns. I would keep trying to get the baby to eat, offer whatever you think might help: hay, pellets, mushy pellets, bits of veggie or the KMR. I’ll send out healthy baby vibes. Keep us posted on how he does.

[Sarita]

Do you know any wildlife rehabbers in your area that deal with baby cottontails? Perhaps they can advise you too.

[SirThumpsey]

I wish you the best of luck. I hope that the little guy feels better and starts eating.

I will also be sending out happy baby vibes.

[MooBunnay]

Hi Lotto, welcome to Binkybunny!

I’m sorry to hear that one of the buns isn’t eating, I have heard that they are very difficult to take care of when they are young, so don’t blame yourself. I would agree with Sarita about seeing if there are any wildlife rehabilitators that might be able to help you. I have not had much experience with baby bunnies, so I don’t have any first hand knowledge to help out. I think that an expert is probably needed here. I hope that your little bun is feeling better soon!

[RabbitPam]

If you don’t have one near enough to bring the baby, you could call a wildlife rehab long distance and ask for advice over the phone. They may be able to email you a plan of action you can do at home. I also think a vet visit would help.

How is the baby now?

[Beka27]

Has the baby been better?

[Author]

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