Need Urgent Help...

fcnubians · Aug 4, 2006

I'm sorry if this is in the wrong place but i've new to the forum and need some help.

Yesterday My cat caught a baby rabbit. I got the rabbit from the cat, and the wounds werent bad just a few puncture wounds, the rabbit is very young, and has small teeth. I dont know what to do. I didnt think it would make it through the night.

Is there anything I can do for it? I'm hoping it lives but I know not to get my hopes up.

Please Help

Thanks in advance!

JimD · Aug 4, 2006

I would recommend contacting a wildlife rescue organization. They have the best knowledge and resources.

Because I'm the bunnie-guy in the neighborhood, I often have people tell me about(or worse bring me) abandoned or injured baby wild bunnies. In most cases there have been left by the doe and she will return later on to be looking to feed them. Some are old enough to fend for themselves, but the people think they are too young to do that. In addition, it is against the law to keep a wild animal in most states.

Here's some links about caring for wild bunnie babies.

http://www.awrc.org/Cottontail%20Rabbits.htm

Orphaned Baby Rabbits
http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/orphan.html

~Jim

Haley · Aug 4, 2006

Hey there.

Others will have more information for you, but I can direct you to this link for now: http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/orphan.html. It is very informative and tells you what to do with a baby(wild) rabbit.

First off, is it in need of medical attention? If so, you should get it to a vet asap or call a wildlife rehabilitator in your area (check the yellow pages). If its not injured, are its eyes open? Is it able to hop around? From what I know, if its old enough to be hopping around and everything its been weaned from its mother, and you should just puthim back where you found him (as long as hes not injured, that is). And try your best to keep the cat inside or on a leash.

I cant research this right now, but check out the link if you can...and hopefully others will have some more info for you.

Good Luck! Im praying for the little guy.

-Haley

fcnubians · Aug 4, 2006

The cat is an outside cat so i cant just put it inside or on a leash. Shes a barn cat.

The rabbit is able to hop around and has its eyes open. I have grass/clover in there for it to eat, but it hasnt touched it.

Thanks for the links I"ll check them out.

fcnubians · Aug 4, 2006

Let me rephrase...The rabbit is old enough to hop around but cant because of the injury.

I highly doubt it is going to make it but I wanted to atleast try. We also dont have any wildlife rescue near us.

JimD · Aug 4, 2006

fcnubians wrote:

The rabbit is able to hop around and has its eyes open.

If the injuries are minor, you may be able to release it somewhere where it will be safe from the kitty. Babies that have open eyes and are able to move around can generally fend for themselves and may have already been weaned.

The wild babies in our yard love the brush pile, because they can hide in it and the larger animals can't get at them.