I need help!

[gaddylovesdogs]

My sister just found a very young baby rabbit lying on the sidewalk. He is still alive. Right now he is outside in a baskit lined with a soft rag, a little grass and some water. But rabbit can't drink out of a bowl, can they? When I put some on my finger and tried to give it to him, he moved his lips like he were nursing, but in the air. I really need help, I want to keep this poor baby alive!

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

My suggestion would be to see if there is wildlife rescue near you to try and give it the best chance possible but to give it a little water use an eye dropper of something of that nature unless you have one of the preemie pup bottles around. Sounds too young to be on solid food but thats just my guess.

[gaddylovesdogs]

Thanks, I'll start looking for an eyedropper. When I gently put him in the grass, he rolled over....so I don't think he's safe on his own, plus it's sort of hot, I made sure he's in the shade and the girls won't so much as set a paw out there...

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Does it have its eyes open yet?

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

This will give you a ton of really good info.

Wild Baby Rabbit Care

[gaddylovesdogs]

Yes, his eyes are open. Thanks for the site!!

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Your welcome If the eyes are open and its rolling over in the grass rather than attempting to get away from you then my guess is he or she is either sick or injured.

[Novel]

Wild baby rabbits are different than domesticated rabbits. The mortality rate for a baby without its mother is incredibly high. I just wanted to warn you, it most likely will not survive. I'm so sorry. It's tough.
Wild rabbits are born with a great deal more faculties when they are young, unlike our domesticated rabbits which are of European descent. But they are still very fragile. They are born looking older than they are when compared to their European cousins, because they must have more defenses at a younger age. Wild American rabbits are born in shallow depressions, sometimes right in your lawn, where our domesticated rabbits dig massive warrens and all kits are born far below ground where they can mature more slowly.
Will rabbits can become dehydrated very quickly. If you have a bottle or eyedropper like Crossfire suggested that would be best, but it is so extremely difficult to nurse them. 90% of the time they come down with pneumonia because they don't nurse properly and get fluid in their lungs.
Esbilac powder, a milk replacer for fur-bearing animals is what you need to feed him. If you can, about a half ounce every hour. Bunnies will not usually overeat, but watch for any signs of diarrhea. Diarrhea will dehydrate and kill a bunny in a day. Also be very careful when handling the bunny. They are very prone to disease and have almost no defense against the diseases we carry. Sterilize everything you can and wash your hands well before you handle him.
They are just so dependent at this stage that they are very fragile. Add to that the stress of being "found" by a human and they just kind of stop trying to live.
I'm so sorry. People bring them to me all the time, and I always do my best, but have had very little success. Do your best!

[gaddylovesdogs]

Wild baby rabbits are different than domesticated rabbits. The mortality rate for a baby without its mother is incredibly high. I just wanted to warn you, it most likely will not survive. I'm so sorry. It's tough.

I know. When she first walked in, I was like, "Oh no, this is going to be hard," and I'm really worried about him, I really want him to live, but I never in my life have raised a rabbit this young, domesticated or wild.

Thanks for all of the advice. My Mom is working right now, but once she is done we are bringing it to a wildlife center. We tried to give it water with an eyedropper, it wouldn't take it, and it's outside sleeping right now.

If the eyes are open and its rolling over in the grass rather than attempting to get away from you then my guess is he or she is either sick or injured.

My sister thinks his leg is broken...he also wobbles in circles if I touch him, which I try not too much, I'm trying to make sure that nobody really touches him or spends too much time with him because I don't want to stress him.

[Novel]

Originally Posted by gaddylovesdogs

he also wobbles in circles if I touch him, which I try not too much, I'm trying to make sure that nobody really touches him or spends too much time with him because I don't want to stress him.

This is usually a sign of dehydration and that his nervous system is shutting down.

I'm so sorry, and I hope that the wildlife center can help.

[gaddylovesdogs]

I checked on him a few minutes ago, and he was standing at the water bowl, I believe drinking. I am soo excited.

[gaddylovesdogs]

I checked on him again...he is resting by his water bowl, eyes open...and he has pooped.

[Novel]

Are they solid pellets or is it runny?

[Carrie]

Wow Novel. YOu sure know lots about bunnies. Gaddy, I do hope he'll survive, but I know most of these wild animals like this do not. We saved a baby squirrel once and he did fine all summer, then for no apparent reason (he seemed healthy and chipper) he died, right out of the blue. He got so tame and would run to us when we came outside and climb right up our pant legs to be held. It was really sad when he died.

But....best of luck anyhow.

[Novel]

Wow Novel. YOu sure know lots about bunnies.

As a teenager I raised Rabbits with grants through the FFA. I raised and showed Standard Chinchillas. Thats where I learned that breed clubs, standards, health check-ups, genetics and responsible breeding is so important. I learned lots in a short amount of time because they breed so fast, and, I hate to say it, but you can eat your culls.
It prepared me for raising dogs, which I hope to breed someday. Rabbits may be pets, but they are in a completely different class than dogs.