PLEASE HELP!

[Bunny_Mom87]

Hi everyone. I was at a TSC store yesterday and my fiance and I found they were selling 3 week old bunnies (we assume she was born around Feb 20-22). I was upset and told the assistant manager (who is a friend) that they were too small. Most had been sold already but three were left. I went ahead and bought one little girl (at this time that's what it looks like!) and have been trying to keep her going and need help!

We've kept her warm with bottles and our own body heat and she's pulled through one night. She is sleeping a bit more than I'd expect a baby rabbit to sleep but when she is awake she explores, cuddles, and hops around. She isn't eating much and REFUSES bottles! She's drank out of a saucer a few times, both water and a formula recipe we found online that seemed supported over a few websites. No elimination of any kind. She had a solid "poo" stuck in her tail at TSC but has not made any since comng to the house. I've tried stimulating her as I have had to do with kittens before but with no elimination.

Basically, I need to know what is normal. What kind of veggies should I be allowing her to munch on? How much water and formula should she be getting? How often should she be eliminating?

I appreciate your help and advice! Charlotte (as we are calling her) does too!

Thanks!

B

 

[katt]

honestly i don't really think she needs veggies OR formula. you could look in the breeder area, possibly post there as well, and they might have some other great advice.

i would just offer her a high quality alfalfa pellet, and hay (offer a mix between alfalfa and timothy).

if you feel the need to give formula, i would look in the breeder section or pm peg, she has a good recipe for formula.

but veggies are a HUGE no no, they will massively upset her young bunny tummy.

could you post a photo? i would love to see what she look like!

also, i would remind your friend that selling animals under the age of 8 weeks is unethical and that she should avoid the breeder and pull any of the little babies she has left.

 

[Bunny_Mom87]

I'm just worried about the colostrum with as many people as have probably touched her. I'm trying to make sure she gets some in her system to help her intestines. Thanks for the advice! I'll repost in breeders and see. And I'll put a picture of her up

 

[slavetoabunny]

I'm going to move this thread to the Rabbitry for you. You'll get a better response there.

 

[BlueGiants]

At three weeks, you are right, she is way too young to be away from Momma... She should be nibbling on hay and pellets on her own at this point. Personally, if she will drink from a saucer, I'd suppliment with a good formula. She'd still be nursing off momma at this point (if she could!) I would NOT give her any fruits or greens at this point. Keeping her warm and comfy is good, yes, they do sleep a lot at this age. My 3 week olds probably sleep upwards of 16-20 hours a day.

She wouldn't be passing many solid droppings yet, and momma would normally keep her bum clean. (Guess that falls to you now!) I'd try to syringe feed her a slurry of formula and a few ground up pellets. Give her a "soft" grass hay to munch on. (Or pick out the softer leaves from the hay you have, until she gets the idea of eating it.)

I feel sorry for both the other babies sold and the people that bought them... what a shame...