Dog-caught baby bunny, injured....

[TexanSquirrel]

The dog brought me a baby bunny, eyes closed, ears closed, very wiggly, long gashes on underside. Have placed him in grass nest with rice buddy. Further instructions?

[Loopy Squirrel]

He can be given SMZ (generic for Bactrim or Septra). I would try to flush the wounds w/ some warm saline water or diluted betadine.

[TexanSquirrel]

You think there's hope or should I leave him be? I don't want to inflict pain if it won't help. he's not so wiggly anymore.

[Loopy Squirrel]

He's probably shocky. I hate to say it but they usually die from the stress. He may have internal injuries. Bunnies are hard when they don't have injuries let alone a major trauma. The most important thing right now is to prevent him from further shock and keeping him warm is the first thing to do. All the other stuff can wait a bit. If this is internal he will go fast.

[TexanSquirrel]

I'm sure he's got more injuries than meet the eye. The dog that caught him is a rottwiler (sp?)/ German shepherd mix - pointy teeth and strong jaws. I'm sure he just thought he found a new play thing, but you know....


He's curled up with the rice buddy. I think I have some of that wound wash that also has a pain reliever - would it be worth a shot?

[TexanSquirrel]

How long will a rice buddy last? I don't want to bother him for no reason...

[Loopy Squirrel]

Yeah, you can try it. At this point you have nothing to lose.

[4skwerlz]

This is just me (you do what Loopy tells you) but I'd leave him warm, dark, and quiet for at least an hour. Cleaning wounds can wait and the stress might kill him. Loopy's right; the chances aren't very good.
:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

Whoops! I see Loopy just posted; you'd best do what she says.

[Loopy Squirrel]

I do agree with that. You will have time later to clean the wounds. If he is shocky it's better to wait a bit.

[TexanSquirrel]

I couldn't find the stuff anyway.

[4skwerlz]

I've rehabbed a few dog-caught baby bunnies....it's very sad. Two of mine did make it though.

[Loopy Squirrel]

If all else fails just plain warm water from a syringe just to get the yuck out. If he does manage to survive the antibiotics will kill the rest. Sometimes it is hard to get everything out of a wound anyway.

If it's any consolation the majority of my dog/cat caught bunnies do not survive either.

[TexanSquirrel]

So I should leave him alone until 4:50 PM, then if he's still here try and wash his wounds?

I have no idea what I'm doing - fyi...

[Loopy Squirrel]

Yeah, that sounds o.k.. The only other thing you can do for shock besides keep them warm is to give some fluids. I think that will be way too stressful right now anyway. I usually give them SQ when they are like this, but poking a bunny is stressful too.

[TexanSquirrel]

He's breathing 40 breaths a minute and it looks labored...He likes his rice buddy though. I'm glad I gave it to him.

[4skwerlz]

I like to double the rice buddies for shocky ones--one on each side. Remove one at a time to reheat it so he's never chilly.

[TexanSquirrel]

Just re-heated the buddy. He's on a mission now..wiggling all over the place. And trying to nurse on me. :(

[4skwerlz]

Hmmm, that sounds pretty good actually. Is his breathing still labored?

[TexanSquirrel]

I can't tell. He's crawled under the buddy...

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

awww...poor little bunny bun...
Im glad it's in your care..and the great instruction..your getting from Loopy..and Leigh..:bowdown
I will be checking in and praying for the best....:grouphug
Sweet..baby..
Gonna name him.."lucky".....?:thumbsup
R&B

[4skwerlz]

Loopy left but I'm sure she'll be right back. Really it sounds like he's doing okay so far.... When they're shocky they often will become very still, almost frozen.

[digiandchipper]

Praying for the bunny...:grouphug

[TexanSquirrel]

I've got a sick dog to tend to, I'll be right back...

[Loopy Squirrel]

If he starts to crash his breathing will become more labored and he'll be much less active.O.K. we'll keep checking back.

[TexanSquirrel]

Back. He's still here but back to not wiggling. He's got a brand new rice buddy now...

[digiandchipper]

I'm so glad he's warm and safe....you are doing all you can Tex...still praying for a miracle...

[Loopy Squirrel]

He might just be in a deeper sleep. I am sure the trauma has tuckered him out. I'd just keep him warm and give him a little time. Is his body staying warm to the touch? If they start to crash soemtimes they will remain cold to the touch even w/ heat applied.

[TexanSquirrel]

He is warm to the touch and responsive to light.

[Loopy Squirrel]

That's a good sign.

[TexanSquirrel]

Should I wash the wounds or let him sleep? I have Pedialyte - should I try to feed him?

[Loopy Squirrel]

Is he showing any bruising on his body since he has been warm, particularly around his abdomen? Are the gashes deep into the muscle or just tearing of the skin? Bunnies skin is very thin and tears easily. It usually looks worse than it really is.

[Loopy Squirrel]

Sorry, we were posting at the same time. I would let him sleep just a little longer, then I would try to clean the wounds. My biggest fear is if he does survive he will eventually become septic from the bacteria. You can try to offer some warmed pedialyte.

[Loopy Squirrel]

I need to hit the grocery store for a minute. I'll check back in a few.

[4skwerlz]

While Loopy's gone, maybe you could try to assess his wounds a little better. Where are they located, how deep, what type...puncture or tear, etc. Also check for bruising, swelling, breaks, pain reactions. I like to use my WARM (and clean) fingers with little strokes like mommy's tongue. Start at the back of the neck and between the ears, and if that seems to soothe him and he accepts it without getting scared, then move on with the exam gradually from there. If at any point he freaks, then back off and let him settle down.

[TexanSquirrel]

Found the nest, one alive, two dead. Have not feed/done any treatment yet for either bun.

[4skwerlz]

Found the nest, one alive, two dead. Have not feed/done any treatment yet for either bun.

Can you bring back some of the nest material? The familiar smell will help. Putting the two live ones together will also help.

[TexanSquirrel]

I did. Let me look at the wounds now while he's awake...

[TexanSquirrel]

The wounds look like tears, but there is intact skin under them...? No guts coming out at least. I tried a little wound cleaner, supposed to be painless, but he freaked so I put him back. Will let them settle before checking the other.

[TexanSquirrel]

The second appears to be un-injured. The injured one has a spot, the second does not, so I guess they'll be Spot and NoSpot.

[ella]

:grouphug and Prayers being sent to you and your lil bunny. ...Pam

[4skwerlz]

The wounds look like tears, but there is intact skin under them...? No guts coming out at least. I tried a little wound cleaner, supposed to be painless, but he freaked so I put him back. Will let them settle before checking the other.

Was the wound cleaner warm? You have to warm it up just like formula.

Bunny wounds are weird. They have super-thin skin, but sometimes the outer layer will just peel away when they are attacked. No deep ones?

No guts coming out is always good...:D

[TexanSquirrel]

taking them to a rehabber
will be gone several hours

[Anne]

Prayers for your bunnies. They are soooo hard to work with, glad they are warm. Two bunnies on Easter!:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[Loopy Squirrel]

I am glad you found someone. I think that the babies have a good chance, even the one w/ the injuries. If the tears are only of the exterior skin with some cleaning and antibiotics it should heal fine. I think even though bunnies stress badly babies w/ eyes closed seem to do better even w/ injuries than older babies in my experience at least. You did a great job TS!

[Peaches]

If there are no major injuries wouldnt it be better to put them back in the nest and let their mother take care of them? They have a much higher chance of survial with mom, just keep the dog away.

[Mookie's Mom]

Hope all goes well for these poor little Easter bunnies!

[LynninIN]

Great job TS! A very good assessment. A bunnies normal respiratory rate is 40 to 60 per minute, on the higher side for babies. Slow for their size compared to other critters.

What did the rehabber say?

[TexanSquirrel]

Whew. The bunnies have been delivered. They both made it to the place and the lady was super nice and professional. Took the buns and immediately started caring for them while I wrote out all the details. And she was so grateful when I gave her some money and let her keep the bowl I was carrying them in. :D

So yeah, I think they've got a good chance. Better than they had with me, that's for sure.

And wouldn't you know, as I was walking to the door, there was a BUNNY in the yard! Full-grown, just hanging out! :multi And when I was headed back to the car, there were several more! :jump The place was a bunny haven!

Peaches - the nest had been destroyed by the time I found it. The two that were still in it were dead and the other one had crawled about four feet away. I thought their chances were better with intervention, or that at least I could keep them warm and comfortable. But I did try to get them back to their mom and I agree that probably would have been ideal had the situation been different.

If someone wants to move this out of Emergency, I'll post their pictures - hopefully I got some good ones!

[4skwerlz]

:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

[Buddy'sMom]

:thumbsup Great job Tex and TSB Team!!! Saving bunnies on Easter :alright.gif :alright.gif :bunny :bunny
(RIP 2 bunnies that didn't make it to Tex :Love_Icon :Love_Icon )

:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

Tex.....:thumbsup

I am happy to hear they are...at "Bunny Haven"....:thumbsup
Good JOB!!

(rip)...2 bun buns:Love_Icon

[LoveScratty]

Good luck with your little Bunnie Baby's
I find it funny that it's near easter:D

[TexanSquirrel]

The injured one...

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s58/TexanSquirrel/critters/April132009015.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s58/TexanSquirrel/critters/April132009016.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s58/TexanSquirrel/critters/April132009017.jpg

The other one...

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s58/TexanSquirrel/critters/April132009021.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s58/TexanSquirrel/critters/April132009022.jpg

[TexanSquirrel]

I didn't get a picture of the injuries because I'm not that coordinated and he wasn't too thrilled about the idea.

Thanks for your help, everyone!!!

[lookmomchickens]

:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

Thank you TS for helping these buns!!!

[Bravo]

:grouphug So small... how are they doing?