hurt baby bunny

[mygrl2k3]

I found my cat over a baby bunny. It'shurt, there is some blood. I put it in some timothy hay tokeep it warm. It's still breathing. Is thereanything I can do to save it.

Cristy

 

[Pipp]

Wild or domestic?

If it's wild, you can call a rehabber right away, I think there's alist in the Library under Wild Rabbit Rescue (or something).

How old is the baby?

Antibiotics will be needed ASAP because of the cat's saliva causing problems, among other things.

Poor baby.



sas

 

[mygrl2k3]

How do you tell if its wild or not? It looks grey in color,has fur. I think I see boy parts.

Cristy

 

[Pipp]

There's a 'Wild or Domestic' link in here:

http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=15487&forum_id=17

Does he have his eyes open? He's old enough to be walking/hopping?



sas

 

[mygrl2k3]

I will check this site out and get back toyou. He can wriggle his arms and legs but havent seen him hopor walk. but I don't know how badly my cat hurt him.

cristy

 

[mygrl2k3]

I am sad to report that the baby bunnydied. I tried to keep it warm, while I was finding someone tocontact. He was only about 2 1/2 inches to maybe 3,and eyesclosed. Pretty sad right now. Darn cat, I am going to get hima bell for his collar.

Cristy

 

[Pipp]

So sorry. There really wasn't any hope.

It was so kind of you to try. And a bell is an even kinder idea. :hug1

:rip:little baby.



sas :cry4:

 

[ra7751]

Thanks for trying to help the injuredrabbit. Most likely a baby cottontail. I am alicesnced wildlife rehabilitator so I am going to use this thread topass along some helpful info. Keep in mind that most statesrequire a special permit to hold wildlife. And working withwildlife is much different than hand raising domesticatedanimals. A few guidelines that will help no matter what thespecies.

Keep them warm. Baby mammals and birds can't regulate theirbody temps. Supplemental heat is required even at roomtemperature. A heating pad on the lowest setting worksgreat. We suggest putting the animal in a small box linedwith some like tissue, a t-shirt or a baby receiving blanket.Do not use towels since the loops can cause injury. Place theheating pad under part of the box so the animal can move away from theheat if they want to. We also use socks packed either withuncooked beans or rice and heat it in the microwave. Heatedbottles of water. A hot water bottle. Even had onegirl keep a starling in a box on top of her laptop computer all night.

DO NOT OFFER FOOD OR WATER UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY AREHABBER. Goat's milk or kitten milk replacer is not suitablefor these animals. Thesesubstances do not have theproper nutrition forthese babies. Long term use cancausehealth problems or death. Baby birds do notdrink water. They are easily aspirated and that means certaindeath. Baby rabbits do not usually have a good sucking reflexand they also can be easily aspirated. "Pinky" opossums canonly be fed by inserting a feeding catheter into theirstomachs. And these babies require numerous feedings duringthe day....birds sometimes as often as every 15 minutes orso. Also, most birds fall under federal jurisdiction via theFederal Migratory Bird Act. And if any of these animals havebeen in water....they need to be in care immediately also to treat therespiratory system.

Any encounter with a cat is life threatening. Antibioticsshould be administered by a trained rehabber...the sooner, the bettereven if there is no visible signs of injury. Time is verylimited. Cats carry, among other bacteria, pasteurella, staphand pseudomonas....all are easily fatal to small animals.Dogs present crushing injuries with severe internal injuries.

Make sure the animal needs to be rescued. Many rabbits are"rescued" because nobody has seen their mother return. Sheonly returns once a night to nurse.If the babies are fat andwarm, they should be put back in the nest.Squirrels will comeget their babies that have fallen from a nest...unless the baby iscold. If a baby squirrel is cold, it needs to be with atrained rehabber immediately. Nestling birds that have fallenfrom a nest can be renested if you can safely reach the nest.Contrary to popular belief, birds can't smell your scent on theirchicks...most birdsdon't have a highly developed sense ofsmell.Many birds that are fledging are just learning how tofly under mom's watchful eye.We do not intervene in a naturalpredator situation....as hard as it is...example is a hawk chasing arabbit or other small mammal. We do intervene with introducedpredators such as a dog or cat.

Contact a wildlife rehabber as soon as possible. A trainedrehabilitator is a wild animal's best chance at survival.Here is one of the most informative links available.

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm

Thanks to everyone that wants to help...but help us help them. Get a needy animal to a rehabber ASAP.

"Keep the wild in your heart...not in your home".

Randy

 

[ambrose]

poor little baby, at least he died warm and safeand not terrified. Cats are a bit of a pain aren't they?I love my girlsand keep them inside because i got sick of pulling half dead crittersfrom my outher cats mouths!You think they'd leave them alone butcritters must look like so much 'fun' to them not to mention thehunting instinct!Good luck with the bell, hopefully he wont learn towalk softly on his tiptoes so the bell wont ring like my mums cat did,little smarty pants
tata baby bunnygreat info ra7751