Near death from stress baby bunny

[Snicker Bar]

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I have just been presented with a 57g weak, petrified wild baby bunny. It was “caught” yesterday by neighbor’s son while
Dad was dove hunting. The poor thing has probably been handled and fought over ever since between three very hyper and loud and little boys, since yesterday afternoon. It’s alert, but wobbly and eyes are closed. God love it. What if anything can try?? Our local (real) rehabbber is already swamped and just brought the three pinkies day before. She can’t do it all. Feeling my age with the q 3 hrs with just three... don’t know how y’all do it...

[Chickenlegs]

I would put the bunny in a bed of field greens and leave it alone—the quieter the better. If there is an outside enclosure that’s safe, put it there. Check it once a day and when it starts moving around find a safe thicket and turn the poor thing loose. I’m sure it’s had enough of people and our noisy ill behaved offspring.

[Snicker Bar]

Ok, and Amen to that. My husband was sick. He had stopped by and saw one of them running through the house with it. Told their dad it would be dead by morning if they didn’t get it away from the kids. Mama had a heart and stole it away this AM but not soon enough I’m afraid .
It does have tiny teeth; it just looks so weak. I place it on some fleece and low heat heating pad. Should I at least try to syringe it a tiny bit of glucose, just place tip to its mouth, without holding it?

I have a large, wired enclosure I could place in the fawn enclosure if that’s the best option. So many hawks here. I have plenty of greens for the squirrels ( kale, spring mix etc .) Just whatever I’ll do it. The temps here btw are high 80’s, so I’ll place it in the shade of course. Just worried it’s so weak, ants etc.??

[Chickenlegs]

Bunnys leave mama when they are tiny to our eyes. Now I am NOT the bunny expert but I do know stress kills them. You can try a large bin inside and see how he does. Put him in a closet. Fill the bin with dandilions, clover and field grass, plop him in and put wire or some kind of top on it. Let him recover in the dark. Check him tonight and if he’s moving around, the fawn enclosure might be just fine for him. The wire enclosure will give him a little extra protection while he recovers.

[Snicker Bar]

Yes ma’am , will do. Gathering greens now . It actually seems to be a bit more alive ( peaked out from under fleece) getting some peace and quiet . If it live a up even quicker , I’ll put it outside today/afternoon if thats what’s best.

[Snicker Bar]

Well between that post and now, the little thing is checking out I’m afraid. It can’t even hold itself up. I mixed up a batch of electrolyte solution as for a baby squirrel , and attempted to drip a few drops in its mouth but if I had the humane means here at the house I guess it should be put down? . I just placed as directed with the greens in our quiet , back closet in bedroom in the back of house. God speed this baby please one way or the other. I hate making that decsion.

[cava]

Eyes closed babies are still on formula. He will starve to death and die if not supported nutritionally. The recipe for formula can be found in my Buns thread below in my signature. They get fed 10% of their body weight 3 x day until 70 g then twice a day and he will need hydration in a few times a day, peed and pooped, etc, if you plan to try to save him. Heating pad under half of a bin, etc.

[TubeDriver]

His eyes appear open. But some formula and hydration might not be a bad idea? I don't do bunnies so I can't offer any advice here.


Eyes closed babies are still on formula. He will starve to death and die if not supported nutritionally. The recipe for formula can be found in my Buns thread below in my signature. They get fed 10% of their body weight 3 x day until 70 g then twice a day and he will need hydration in a few times a day, peed and pooped, etc, if you plan to try to save him. Heating pad under half of a bin, etc.

[Snicker Bar]

Just lost the bunny. It seemed to be more at ease in the bi. With grass,,clover etc. it’s eyes were closed due to weakness not age; it had teeth . But maybe it was too cool in our house ? I had a heating pad at first, and it seemed to want off the warmth. We keep our house at 74, I just don’t know. It was so traumatized from those kids; they wanted to hold it and “ play “ with it I’m sure. I just hate we didn’t get it sooner :( But thank you for guidance . Just sick . Poor thing , such a senseless loss of a life.

[Chickenlegs]

You gave that little bunny a place to leave this world in peace. I don’t blame the kids. The PARENTS should have interceeded. Those little ****s will grow up thinking animals are for their entertainment.

[jpurl]

I just saw your posts on the bunny so sorry you lost it I raised 4 bunnies a couple of years ago and I fed them Fox valley and they all survived I didn't think they would make it because everyone told me it was hard to raise bunnies another time a friend found one and gave it to me I held it all day kept it in our room in a cage and it actually perked up but in the morning it had passed. All we can do is try our best . I liked the bunnies but squirrels are still my favorite

[Snicker Bar]

I wil at least know some starter tips if this ever regrettably happens again . And yes, the dad should have known; he /they thought they were “rescuing “ it for the fact it was hiding all alone, and could be picked up. I thoroughly covered all the things that Chicken Legs and others stated; that they should be left alone,, or I suppose if totally exposed out in open, placed in a thicket. And that they leave mama at a young age etc. Maybe they will leave the next ones alone . It’s dove season here ; the bullets are flying on farms all around us :(

[TubeDriver]

I am sorry the little bunny did not make it. Godspeed little one....

You tried to help him, who knows what it endured with thise kids? At least with you he was in a quiet, warm place to pass in peace.

:grouphug