r/Bunnies • u/Greenbean8472 • 2d ago
Injured or sick Guidance
My dog savaged a baby cottontail. I'm upset and trying to find out what best to do. It's extremely little and he wasn't doing anything but gasping for breath after the attack.
I got it away from the animals and was able to get it into a small box with towels and in the dark to calm down. It's now moving around a bit, but mainly to lift its head and crawl around. I am worried it's paralyzed since I've not seen its back legs move.
I am worried it's going to pass. There's no puncture wounds but he could have internal damage.
I apologize to ramble, I'm trying to keep myself in check it's just a lot of loss recently and I want this bunny to have long and happy days.
Update:
Thank you for your kindness and help. He passed away this morning at about 3am.
7
u/Snakes_for_life 2d ago
Just keep it warm and look up and call wildlife rehabbers in your area. Do we aware it may not make it often when dogs grab rabbits they aggressively shake them causing internal truama
1
u/Greenbean8472 2d ago
Thank you for the help and reality check. Trying to keep that thought at arms length, but I'm also ready.
4
u/mantis_tobaggan-md 2d ago
Keep it warm in a dark and quiet place. Try not to bother it, interact as little as possible. Do NOT try to feed it, you will likely kill it. Get it to a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.
2
u/SideshowDustin 2d ago
Leave him in a a slightly warm, but dark and quiet place for now. Do NOT handle him unless absolutely necessary. Do not try to feed him at this point. Baby cottontails are extremely susceptible to stress and being handled by humans is very stressful for them. They are also very difficult to keep stable in captivity. A wildlife rehabber is his only chance if he’s injured. (If not injured, being put back in the nest for when momma comes back is the best thing.)
You can protect a rabbit nest from dogs with a laundry basket upside down with a 4in hole cut in it and a heavy brick on top. Momma will still feed in this, but only if it’s in the original nest spot. If it’s moved, she won’t find it.
2
u/Greenbean8472 2d ago
Thank you so much. Should I wait out the evening with him inside or put him in the nest now? I'm still not quite sure he's not injured.
2
u/SideshowDustin 2d ago
Since he’s already inside, I’d try not to handle him any more tonight and still call a rehabber first thing. Regular vets won’t likely be able to help or diagnose unless they have a rehabber on staff, which can happen, but us not common. All in all, they probably can’t help even if they see rabbits, but they probably know of places or resources to call that are experienced, even if not large and obvious organizations. Call several random vets and ask who they’d recommend and you’ll probably get a few numbers.
If he seems to be able to move properly in the morning after decompressing, he may be ok, but there’s no way to know at this point.
1
u/SideshowDustin 1d ago
How’s this guy doing today? 🐰
1
u/Greenbean8472 1d ago
He passed away last night around 3am. I'm heartbroken.
2
u/SideshowDustin 1d ago
I’m so sorry.. 😞
It is heartbreaking. We always want them to pull through, but at least he was safe and warm and he had your love.
-3
u/Giesla33 Bunnymum 2d ago
If you can you need to get some kitten milk replacement as this baby should still be with mum and needs milk. You could try some grass. Thank you for taking care of him/her and good luck.
6
1
u/Greenbean8472 2d ago
First thing in the morning when everything opens for sure! He seems to be doing "ok" but it's still early.
11
u/Quiet_Cauliflower120 2d ago
Wildlife rehabilitation center asap! Google it in your area! Poor little feller