Cottontail NEEDS Antibiotics!!

[swimmergirl]

Hi all, I am back! This time with a singleton cottontail rabbit- the eyes are open and we are VERY spunky. I was actually considering releasing, even though she is SO small because I didn't want to stress her, but if I finally got her to settle enough where I could get a good look at her and she has a 1/2" scratch/bite on her belly from a cat.

I have a 250 mg Bactrim pill- could someone please send me dosing ASAP? Also- I CANNOT find my squirrel nipple...so she wears the majority of her pedialyte...any suggestions for a quick fix because I don't want her to wear her antibiotics...

And because I know someone will ask (because you have to!)- I have her on a heating pad on low and am just feeding Pedialtye at the current moment. I did get KMR, because I have had the best luck with that with bunnies.

Thank you for your help!
Rachel

[Saverywood]

Need a weight. :)

[SammysMom]

I will check the Wild Mammals Book.

[SammysMom]

Do you have a weight on her?

[swimmergirl]

Getting a weight now.

[swimmergirl]

107g, I did just feed her a little Pedialyte- so I would round down if necessary...

[swimmergirl]

Also- should I clean out the wound- I have iodine and alcohol. Also, should I put anything on it? I have Bacitracin and Neosporin.

[SammysMom]

Be VERY careful with the cleaning or adding topical stuff. Bunnies stress very easily. I have asked for dosing confirmation from someone more experienced. How bad is the scratch/bite? Punctures or just scratches?

[swimmergirl]

It's a skin tear- maybe..1/8" wide and then 1/2" long. She has a little blood around her one eyelid and it looks like there is a small tear..

[SammysMom]

Just sent a PM with dosing. Forgot to say it is 2x daily for at least 5 days and to be sure that the bunny is well hydrated.

[swimmergirl]

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[swimmergirl]

Ahhh! Sorry- I don't know what happened with the pictures..

[Saverywood]

I sent a msg to SR&B2...she is my go to peeps for bunny advice.
(She's a student Vet, with lots of bunny experience).

:thumbsup

[swimmergirl]

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[swimmergirl]

Let me know what you guys find out. I gave her her first dose of antibiotics at 7pm and will give her her second dose in the morning. I gave her some Pedialyte earlier, and will give her a little more around 9:30pm before I go to work for the night. She is currently resting in her blanket nest in a cat carrier (on a heating pad).

I did a quick clean up of her wound and I did put a little bit of Bacitracin on it. The poor thing is definitely scared to death, so I am trying to leave her alone as much as possible...

[SammysMom]

i'm not certain, but maybe a water bottle on the door just in case she gets thirsty? Any bunny peeps agree or disagree? :dono

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Not too bad of a wound, I'd recommend cleaning it once and maybe putting something on it then leaving it be. It should scab over nicely and heal up without any issues. Just be sure to give the antibiotics for at least 7 days.

Clover and dandelions picked from an untreated area is the best thing for the little guy to be eating. He should be big enough to eat regular food, so that should be good. Also you can give timothy hay and rabbit food, but they usually don't eat the rabbit food.

[swimmergirl]

Thank you everyone for the help!!

The wound looks pretty clean and I did put the Bacitracin on it, now I will leave it alone though.

Do you think that I need to be hydrating her with Pedialyte? Or- should I just set her up with some greens and leave her be other than her antibiotics? What about a water dish or should I just moisten the greens? I have her in a cat carrier with a blanket right now, but I have timothy hay for my domestic rabbit that I will set her up in once she is less freaked out so she can nibble!

I bought KMR, but have not opened it yet because she looks old enough to be eating greens- plus, it's way less stressful on the poor thing if I don't have to man handle it to get her to eat...

I will give the antibiotics twice a day for at least 7 days, if it lasts longer, I will go longer!


Not too bad of a wound, I'd recommend cleaning it once and maybe putting something on it then leaving it be. It should scab over nicely and heal up without any issues. Just be sure to give the antibiotics for at least 7 days.

Clover and dandelions picked from an untreated area is the best thing for the little guy to be eating. He should be big enough to eat regular food, so that should be good. Also you can give timothy hay and rabbit food, but they usually don't eat the rabbit food.

[Runestonez]

Neosporin is safe topically to treat with...not the one with the pain relief...just the regular Neosporin.
SR&B2 covered the rest.
You could add a bit of probiotic to the pedialyte just to bolster gut bacteria with the extra stress, anti-biotics etc...
I have had success dosing them with BeneBac Gel by mouth too.

[sdreamcatcher]

Super cute, heck of an owie, so glad she is in good hands :Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[SammysMom]

According to a bunny expert, be careful with heat as they can get very warm on their own. Also, if any sign of loose stool it is an emergency situation. You can offer rolled oats as she should eat that readily.
Thank-you all you bunny folk, for helping!!!:grouphug

[swimmergirl]

Hi Guys. Little girl made it through the night. She seems less scared, but still active- so that's good too!

Questions for you guys:

1. I cannot get her to take a lot of the Pedialyte, so I am concerned about her hydration. Should I have a water dish in her house, or should I just make sure to wet her greens?

2. Does the antibiotic need to be refrigerated once I have diluted it and made it a liquid? I put it in the fridge last night and it thickened up- it looks okay now though.

3. I am afraid I won't have enough of the antibiotic to last a week. Does anyone have another pill or two? I will pay them for shipping and the pill.

[Charley Chuckles]

OK just saw this after I bumped the other exact thread :thankyou

[pappy1264]

Bactrim does not go in fridge, dark cool spot. Is she already eating greens? If so, wet them, shake them off, sprinkle probiotics on it (benebac or Peter's). You can put a small lid with water in it, but more then likely she will potty in it. How much does she weigh? I don't have any extra bactrim, unfortunately. Also, Sammysmom is correct on the heat. And make she she is covered (her enclosure). She can also eat old fashioned oats and bunny pellets as well.

[Nancy in New York]

Hi Guys. Little girl made it through the night. She seems less scared, but still active- so that's good too!

Questions for you guys:

1. I cannot get her to take a lot of the Pedialyte, so I am concerned about her hydration. Should I have a water dish in her house, or should I just make sure to wet her greens?

2. Does the antibiotic need to be refrigerated once I have diluted it and made it a liquid? I put it in the fridge last night and it thickened up- it looks okay now though.

3. I am afraid I won't have enough of the antibiotic to last a week. Does anyone have another pill or two? I will pay them for shipping and the pill.


Give me your name and address, I have SMZ-TMP I can send you.

[swimmergirl]

She weighed 103g this morning. I have greens in her house- I just put them in, it has been pouring and I had to find somewhere I was SURE hadn't been treated with anything. I will check in a little bit to see if she has eaten anything. Her enclosure is covered.


Bactrim does not go in fridge, dark cool spot. Is she already eating greens? If so, wet them, shake them off, sprinkle probiotics on it (benebac or Peter's). You can put a small lid with water in it, but more then likely she will potty in it. How much does she weigh? I don't have any extra bactrim, unfortunately. Also, Sammysmom is correct on the heat. And make she she is covered (her enclosure). She can also eat old fashioned oats and bunny pellets as well.

[pappy1264]

What did you put in? You should only start with clover first (or when very tiny/eyes closed, you would use dry grass).

[swimmergirl]

I cannot find any clover- she has some dandelions and long grass and then she is sleeping in timothy hay.

[California Squirrel Lover]

Sending well wishes and healing prayers for this sweet one :Love_Icon:Love_Icon:grouphug:grouphug

[Saverywood]

I cannot find any clover- she has some dandelions and long grass and then she is sleeping in timothy hay.

I have driven all over the island to find clover,
where I live there's nothing but sand,
If I am lucky I find a few dandelions, and some plantain.
Best wishes!


Btw - A pinch of oatmeal (not the quick oats) is a favorite with my little bun buns.:)

[sdreamcatcher]

I have driven all over the island to find clover,
where I live there's nothing but sand,
If I am lucky I find a few dandelions, and some plantain.
Best wishes!


Btw - A pinch of oatmeal (not the quick oats) is a favorite with my little bun buns.:)

Boy do I wish I lived closer to you all, or you all lived this way.... I have TONS of rabbit friendly grasses and weeds, including clover. I specifically leave it for feeding critters. Am I right remembering baby cottontails need cecotrophes before they can have greens?

[swimmergirl]

I am pretty sure that she is not eating her greens, but I did just put them in there late this morning- how long do I give her before I start giving her formula?

I will go get some oats!

[swimmergirl]

Little girl has lost a decent amount of weight in 24 hrs- she was 107g last night she now weighs 98g. She is not eating the greatest because I do not have a nipple- any suggestions on where/how to get one fast enough to make a difference?

[Saverywood]

I am not a seasoned bunny peeps at all..:shakehead
I have only had about a dozen of the little furballs (including my six right now)
and three died (still makes me sad) on me.. not these six...they are still hopping & alive ! ! :grin2.

I will tell you that there is a lot of rabbit advice out there
just like rehabbers, so find someone you trust and stick with their advice. :thumbsup

I can only pass along to you what was given to me....
I don't want to add confusion or contradict
any seasoned bunny peeps....but I am willing to help if you need it,
just PM me.

[msriri]

Have you found a nipple?
If she were a rehab baby, she would be weaning now, so I think she is old enough to have lots of solids. I do feel you should get her started on a diluted feeding right away because she must start gaining weight back. I always add probiotics to the formula. She could use the fluids also.

She can have lots of dandelion and clover (wet), timothy hay and oats. No need for cecotropes at her age, shes about 3 wks+ and mom has adjusted her gut flora for solids by now. Probiotics are always recommended since you are introducing new things to her system.
Weigh her every day at the same time. It is practically a MUST to have some gain everyday to be successful. Even remaining the same weight from one day to the next is considered a loss with buns.

A bunny's tummy can hold 10% of their weight. As a sole diet, it would be three 8%-10% feedings a day, but at her age and if you're sure shes eating her solids, I think you're safe at 3 feedings of at least 7 % until you see the weight coming back. Do at least two diluted feedings to see how her tummy reacts and then dilute less at every consecutive feeding.

[swimmergirl]

Still no nipple..

I got her to take about 10-12 ccs last night and this morning of the KMR. She has greens in her house with her, but I am pretty sure she is NOT eating them yet.

This morning before feeding she is 95g. I will re-weigh tonight to see where we are. (She was 106g after eating, so I know she got something in her!).

I will feed her again mid-day and then again before I go to bed.



Have you found a nipple?
If she were a rehab baby, she would be weaning now, so I think she is old enough to have lots of solids. I do feel you should get her started on a diluted feeding right away because she must start gaining weight back. I always add probiotics to the formula. She could use the fluids also.

She can have lots of dandelion and clover (wet), timothy hay and oats. No need for cecotropes at her age, shes about 3 wks+ and mom has adjusted her gut flora for solids by now. Probiotics are always recommended since you are introducing new things to her system.
Weigh her every day at the same time. It is practically a MUST to have some gain everyday to be successful. Even remaining the same weight from one day to the next is considered a loss with buns.

A bunny's tummy can hold 10% of their weight. As a sole diet, it would be three 8%-10% feedings a day, but at her age and if you're sure shes eating her solids, I think you're safe at 3 feedings of at least 7 % until you see the weight coming back. Do at least two diluted feedings to see how her tummy reacts and then dilute less at every consecutive feeding.

[pappy1264]

How often are you feeding her? You should be feeding 20% of her body weight. If you can get her to take it in 2 feedings, go with that. If not, you can do 3 or even four if needed to get the full amount into her. Are you adding any boost to the formula? Is she still on the bactrim? What about probiotics, are you adding them as well? (I don't use nipples with bunnies, they do just fine w/o them in my experience.) Are you going in from the side then moving to the front with syringe?

Based on todays weight, she should be getting 19 cc's total per day. So if you can get 2 feedings of 9.5 cc's into her, that is what you want. Overfeeding will kill her. Have you put any old fashioned oats in with her? And some ground up bunny pellets (I like Oxbox).

[squirrelmommy22]

You may have already tried this, but my vets office had some that they gave me when my girl was a baby, you might try calling around. Praying the she improves.:grouphug

[swimmergirl]

When I had the squirrels, I tried calling the vet's office and they wouldn't help me at all. The girl on the phone just kept repeating the rehabber's phone number to me (and I tried calling the rehabber and she was TOTALLY NOT somewhere I would send ANY animal...) I couldn't even trick the woman at Rite Aid into giving me a TB syringe for "kittens"- so, I just took some from work that night, haha.

The bunny is eating twice a day right now- she is taking 10 cc's of KMR eat time and she has oats, dandelions, and some clover in with her at all times. I have not noticed where she has eaten anything solid yet- BUT- am going to count the leaves I put in tonight with her and see what she does with them.

I weighed the little lady last evening at 7pm- so, will do so again in an hour and see where we are. I can start feeding her 3 times a day if necessary, but I don't want to overfeed her- I guess I will see if she's gaining or not and if she's not- start doing 3 smaller feeds instead of the 2?

I am hoping she settles down and starts eating her greens so that I don't have to worry so much about what she is taking from me. I know that she is definitely old enough to be nibbling on the greens, but we will see. I DO have pretty decent luck with bunnies- but have never had one cat-caught...

I am open to any advice! I had her in a hay bed- but, she is much happier when she can hide in her blanket, so, I have left that in there with some hay in there too.

[swimmergirl]

Okay- we have some good news- official weight gain!

Yesterday at 7pm- 97g
This morning at 8am- 95g
This evening at 7pm- 104g

So, we are working on some weight gain! I will keep you guys posted, but I think we are moving in the right direction. Her first KMR feeding was last night after the 7pm weigh-in.

[SammysMom]

Great job Swimmer!!! Go bunny go!!!:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug

[swimmergirl]

Little girl took about 12 cc of KMR this morning and I caught her with greens in her mouth last night- so, she is starting to nibble! Yay!

She weighs 111g as of 8am this morning!

[squirrelmommy22]

Good girl Cottontail!!

[pappy1264]

Keep her on the bactrim, as when they switch to starting solids you have to really watch for diarrhea. This is when most babies are lost.

[swimmergirl]

She's still getting the Bactrim 2xday in the morning and the evening (she has at least 4 days left). I have been watching closely for diarrhea, but so far- all of her poop is the usual bunny poop.


Keep her on the bactrim, as when they switch to starting solids you have to really watch for diarrhea. This is when most babies are lost.

[pappy1264]

Also if her belly begins to get squishy feeling, that is a sign of trouble. Just in case, make sure you have infant gas drops on hand to help with any gas build up.

[swimmergirl]

UPDATE:

Little girl is still doing well. I have seen her nibbling on her hay and greens a few times now, I am still giving her KMR if she wants it and she is gaining 8-10+ grams a day. She is still getting her Bactrim twice a day as well.

[pappy1264]

Sounds good.

[SammysMom]

Great update Swimmer!!!:thumbsup

[California Squirrel Lover]

So glad to hear a good update!! :thumbsup She's absolutely precious :grin3 :Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[swimmergirl]

Okay guys- how do I start weaning her? She usually is calm and lets me feed her maybe 3-4ccs and then starts getting jumpy and not so interested in being syringe fed. Should I just let her not eat once she's acting "done" and see if she continues to gain weight?

[msriri]

I would cut her to 2 feedings as long as the greens, hay and oats are being eaten (make sure she has plenty), and as long as you continue to see weight gain.
You can even go to one feeding after a few days of two since she'll be eating a lot more solids.
Follow her lead, but monitor everything. Sounds like she's "out of the woods" and can now go into the woods :)
Good job!

[swimmergirl]

Thanks guys! She is WAY more willing to eat at her evening feeding and I could not get her to take her morning "bottle" feed at all- so, I stocked her up with greens and hay and we will see how she does. (I did get her to take her antibiotics, thank goodness!)

[swimmergirl]

How many days does the little one need to be on antibiotics? She gained a little bit of weight- 5 grams- overnight (with only one formula feed)--so, still working on weaning.

[msriri]

5-7 days. Today should be day 6? Did her wound heal well?
After tomorrow's doses, and single feedings today and tomorrow, you could probably cut her off all contact.... Except for weighing every day. After a couple days of weight gain without formula, she can go outside for a week or so before release.

[swimmergirl]

I got her on Tuesday 4/29- she got one dose that day and then 2x day starting 4/30. So- I will count from the 30th. Today would be day 7 then, right?

[swimmergirl]

Her wounds have all healed up beautifully- they all still have scabs on them, but they are closed up and looking great!