Baby Bunny Info Needed!

[heidiann]

I have in my care as of an hour ago, a baby (cottontail?) wild baby bunny. It's nest was run over (rotortiller) by a friend of a friend and they referred them to me knowing I've already worked w squirrels.
Mrs. J already looked up a good bit of info on him while I was en route to get him. So thanks to her, I don't feel totally clueless.
A few questions though for any experts out there.

1. How old is this baby?It's eyes are open and 1 sibling ran away from the slaughtered nest. The rest were killed. Mother is no where to be seen for hours but given the condition of the nest and blood, I decided that chance of reuniting was slim. The folks will be looking out for her in the mean time though just in case.

2. According to that estimation, how often and how much do I feed it. I have KMR already and fed it a few drops with great difficulty. Too soon for grains or greens?

3. Do I have it in a proper environment. (will be placing heat lamp over top)

4. Any idea what sex it is? I want to give it a proper name. Junior if it's a boy, Bunya if it's a girl:tilt

[heidiann]

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[Gabe]

How cute!!! Eyes open at one week. Next, ears stand up, and at three weeks they can hop and run. At three weeks they are fairly well weaned.
Mama does not stay on the nest, but comes 2-3 times in 24 hours to nurse. When they are approx 3 weeks old, they come and go out of the nest, meeting up with mama to nurse on occassion. If he can run, he should be able to be let loose in his own area and still will meet up with Mama.
If that is not possible, pick some fresh greens, give dry oatmeal, canned carrots, sweet potato, applesauce but stay away from fresh apples. If he is eating all, he can truly be released. His own territory is best as he knows it, knows where to go to hide, knows where to find mama.
If he does not eat well on his own then I guess there will be a part two forthcoming in this thread.:D

[Gabe]

Photos have finally loaded on my very slow computer. Cute how you got that gorgeous daughter picture in there.:thumbsup
I would guess 10 days old, ears don't look totally up yet. See if he eats, they are nocturnal and eat most of their calories at night. If not, then plan B.
I generally recommend KMR for bunnies, but Esbilac if you have it, will not hurt.
As far as sex goes, it's an it. Name it something bisexual, such as Thumper.

[heidiann]

Thanks so much Gabe. I'm a little confused about the age though. It looks 10 days old you say, but I was told that 1 of it's siblings scampered away which would make me think it's older but maybe it was just the terrifying and extenuating circumstances. I will try to feed her again before bed. It likes to sniff dandelion greens but hasn't eaten. It barely drank the formula . I think it is just a bit traumatized right now. It's laying on my chest calmly at the moment. Doesn't seem to want to move too much so I can't imagine releasing it to find momma in it's current condition. We'll reevaluate tomorrow. I can go back to the scene. It just seems so feeble right now.
Thanks again. I'll let you know what transpires overnight.

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Bunnies are very hard to get to drink their milk. I agree with Gabe, the best thing for the little tyke would be to be back out with his mom. If you know where the nest is and it is destroyed, you can try to recreate it and put the little tyke back in it. Then lay two sticks over the top of the nest in an X and check on it tomorrow morning (the mother only comes back in the evening and then very early in the morning). If the sticks are still there in the morning, she didn't come. I think she will probably come back for him since he is not injured and she did not get injured. Good luck with him.

[heidiann]

Thank you. YES, I agree, it IS difficult to feed it although I got it to drink more this morning.
The difficulty in this situation here is that this bunny came from a friend of a friend who seems more interested in finishing rototilling the area than reuniting it with it's mother. I don't believe I will be welcome to put the bunny back in their yard. Plus, they have 2 big dogs, 1 of which just killed their groundhog. They were afraid their dogs would get him and just wanted me to take it.
If this were my yard I would have handled this much much differently.
I wish I could go back and place it and I WILL try to talk to the people today to see if there's a chance they can work with me on this.

BTW Another question. If it normal for it's eyes to be fairly gunky? I had to moisten them with water this morning to help her open them.

[Gabe]

I'm basing the age on the fact that the ears are not up and it does not seem to stand in the photos.
The eyes may be gunky because some dirt or debrie (sp) from the tiller may have gotten into them. Just keep cleaning them with a little warm water.
If it did not eat anything during the night it is probably not old enough to be on it's own. Keep offering natural foods and formula.
With bunnies I set a goal. For instance my goal with one this size and brand new to me would be 6cc's per day. Feed it as often as you must to get that amount in. If it takes only 1/2 cc at a time, feed it 12 times. When it adjusts to the new taste of the formula and is taking it fairly well then you can increase the amount.
There are two goals accomplished with this technique; You are acclimating it to the touch and feel of you holding it, feeding it and the taste of the formula.
You are also getting some calories in to keep it hydrated and alive until it makes the adjustment.

[heidiann]

Thanks Gabe. I will do just that. I'll just keep feeding it a few drops at a time keeping track. I'd say we got .75 cc in him this morning.
Good thing I'm so busy today:shakehead . But it's all home stuff so I can keep on him.

[heidiann]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to give you all an update on my little Bunya.
She is thriving well. She is taking moe and more formula at a time (up to 4 ccs once) and I'm not having a problem getting at least 6 in per day. She ia pooping regularly now and I was wondering about the pee but this morning ahe went all over my shirt. I have to say, that's the first time I've ever shouted in Jubilation "SHE PEED ON ME!" :p
She's nibbling on cooked carrots but not showing much interest in the greens or other solids yet. She's becoming more fiesty by the day so my instincts are telling me, things are going well.
Also, her ears are starting to stand up and she'll scamper across my bed to get to me. No hopping yet. I think she's gonna do well but it's going to take a lot of hard work.
Keep us in your prayers as I have not been feeling well and this is a bit challenging for me at this point, but I needed her. She's helping me in her own little way that you all know and understand.:Love_Icon

[Buddy'sMom]

That's great news, Heidiann! (about the bunny, I mean -- sorry you're not feeling well)

Hoping (hopping? sorry, couldn't resist :shakehead ) you're both feeling ok soon!! :grouphug

[Momma Squirrel]

:wahoo great news on the bunny, only people on TSB would understand how great it is to be peed on and crapped on by an animal :rotfl You are doing a great job mommie :thumbsup Prayers are still being sent and keep us posted.

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Glad to hear she is doing well. Gotta love the little fountain they make! I remember the first time Spot (my cat attack bunny) made the fountain. I was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy it didn't matter that it went all over my arm and shirt.
Are you giving her oats? She should love those and eat them right up. You may want to start getting more than 6 cc a day into her as well. Bunnies her size get about 18 cc per day with me, but I tube feed mine so yours will probably take less. Maybe go for 10 cc now?
I hope she continues to do well, she has a long road ahead of her, but stands a good chance since she had her eyes open when you got her. Watch how much you let her run loose, if she falls off the bed or gets startled, she can freak out and die right on the spot. They are weird creatures! I have had many jump out of their cage and die. They must get internal injuries.

[Gabe]

If you are going to start her on fresh greens it would be a good idea to get some probiotics mixed in with her formula.

[LynninIN]

:wave123 Heidiann. That's a very cute bunny.

I'm sorry you're not feeling well and hope your better soon. :grouphug

[heidiann]

If you are going to start her on fresh greens it would be a good idea to get some probiotics mixed in with her formula.

Do you mean something like Benebac?

[heidiann]

Are you giving her oats? She should love those and eat them right up. You may want to start getting more than 6 cc a day into her as well. Bunnies her size get about 18 cc per day with me, but I tube feed mine so yours will probably take less. Maybe go for 10 cc now? .

She's not seeming very interested in the oats yet but did finally nibble on some dandelion greens a tiny bit. Se's definitely upping het intake but it's so hard to measure w all the dribbles. She's had about 8cc already today and I'm sure I'll get a few more into her before the end of the day.

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Yes, benebac will work for probiotics. They will need the probiotics to get the good bacteria that allows them to digest the solid foods. Without it they will get diarrhea and die. Sadly, sometimes even the probiotics aren't enough though. I think your guy already has the gut bacteria since he came in with his eyes open, but it is still a good idea to give him the probiotics, just to be on the safe side.

[Mrs. Jack]

Heidi didn't mention it but Bunya is making two kinds of poop, the regular ones and the chain ones, this is a good sign, yes?

[Gabe]

Yes, that's a very good sign. It generally makes us jump up and down with joy when we see that stringy poop.

[island rehabber]

Happy Poop Dance!!

:multi :alright.gif :multi :jump:multi :alright.gif :multi