Bunny help

[Sarah_Spencer]

Well today I had a guy come into my work w/ a baby wild bunny that he found in a parking lot that a lady almost ran over. He figured that everyone at my shop knew what they were doing and he bought it to us because he couldn't keep it. So the description...its about 4 inches long, has fur covering its body, it's eyes look like they recently opened (w/in a week or so maybe), and its got little teeth, and short ears. I'm really tired, but I will post pictures tomorrow. I know that rabbits are difficult to raise, so I'm basically looking for as much advice as I can get. Especially on what to feed it because some places are saying KMR and others are saying Puppy milk replacer.

[foxsquirrels]

Sarah, you should have Esbilac puppy milk replacer for bunnies. Our instructor told us to remember KMR-kitten & coons, Esbilac - Everything Else. Treat the bunny just like a little squirrel as far as bedding, heating pad and so forth. NO TOWELS for bedding. No shavings either. Go ahead tonight and use the KMR, I do know people that have used it by mistake. Put a few drops of some type of sugar (plain pancake syrup, karo syrup) in with the KMR. Warm it just like for a squirrel. Bunnies will stop eating the minute the formula cools off. Some formula will be better than none. You could put a few small pieces of lettuce, shredded apple or shredded carrots in with him overnight and see if he eats them. He does not need water overnight as bunnies will just spill it. If he won't eat the KMR, just give him some sugar water to hydrate him. I hope this helps till morning. Bunnies stress out real easy. Most people tube feed them to get them to survive. They are NOT the easiest to raise. I hope this helps for the night. If you have any other questions, I will be online for about 15 more minutes.
Good luck!

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Does the bunny look healthy? Chances are he was just out exploring and ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. He should be fine if you put him back near where you found him (but in a safe spot!). I would put him back and keep an eye on him. He should head home in a short time because he is probably stressed and ready to take a break in his nest.

Actually, for bunnies, I would go with the KMR. It is higher in fat and bunnies need the extra fat. I use Zoologic 33/40 (same ratio of fat and protein as Esbilac) and mix it with Multimilk (high in fat), which comes to a ratio similar to KMR.

Also, I never feed my bunnies lettuce or carrots and only give very little apple. The lettuce will actually go bad in their stomach and cause digestive problems. Not sure why, but I was told baby bunnies can't have carrots.

I would feed the little guy some clover and dandelions (make sure you pick it in an untreated area) or spinach. He can also have a little bit of quaker oats quick 1 minute type and some timothy hay.

If you can post a picture I can tell you if he looks healthy or not.

[Jackie in Tampa]

:grouphug

[miraclesquirrel]

I have to disagree. I have raised bunny's from birth. KMR is closer to momma's milk that Esibilac. You also meed to give probotics, like benebac. Wild bunny's are usually ready to leave mom at about 3-4 weeks depending on conditions. Hay hay avaiable at all times they will start nibbling on it soon.

[Doodles]

I rehab bunnies also, and use KMR + whole milk yogurt, they like the blueberry flavor. I also have Timothy hay always available to them, along with wild untreated grasses and dandelions. I will rarely give them a couple of oats or a blueberry cut in half, no carrots because they are high in sugar. I also give them a course of albon, and start giving benebac as I'm starting to wean. Best of luck to you, they are prescious also.:flash3