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So...I was outside a few minutes ago, and spotted a baby bunny. It's raining here today, and this little bunny was soaking wet, behaving oddly. It would tilt it's head up up up...like it was trying to drink water, and then topple over, because it had it's head so tilted back. Clearly, not normal behavior.
Sooo, I got a box, and a towel, and I picked up the bunny with the towel, and put it in the box, and brought the box in the house. I put the box in the dog kennel, because I don't know what I'd do, if the bunny got frisky, and got out of the box.
I'm probably nuts for bringing it in...but anyone have any ideas on how to help it out? Could I warm up some milk for it maybe? The only fresh veggies I have at hand are tomatoes, but I do have some frozen vegetables (green beans, corn, and broccoli) if that would help.
Really, I figure it's going to die...but maybe not as miserably as it would've otherwise. Anyone have any ideas?
So...I was outside a few minutes ago, and spotted a baby bunny. It's raining here today, and this little bunny was soaking wet, behaving oddly. It would tilt it's head up up up...like it was trying to drink water, and then topple over, because it had it's head so tilted back. Clearly, not normal behavior.
Sooo, I got a box, and a towel, and I picked up the bunny with the towel, and put it in the box, and brought the box in the house. I put the box in the dog kennel, because I don't know what I'd do, if the bunny got frisky, and got out of the box.
I'm probably nuts for bringing it in...but anyone have any ideas on how to help it out? Could I warm up some milk for it maybe? The only fresh veggies I have at hand are tomatoes, but I do have some frozen vegetables (green beans, corn, and broccoli) if that would help.
Really, I figure it's going to die...but maybe not as miserably as it would've otherwise. Anyone have any ideas?
Uh oh.If it keeps losing its balance, there is definitely something wrong. Rabbits are prone to a pasteurella bacterial infection that messes up their balance. Head tilt and falling over are symptoms.
How do I know this? My first rabbit, which I had raised since it was 8 weeks old, got this infection as an adult and I did not take him to the vet early enough to (possibly) cure it. He was only 5 years old. I brought him to the best animal hospital in the region and they tried a massive dose of antibiotics, but the disease had progressed too far.
I hope there are no pet rabbits in your household, because they might be vulnerable to the wild one’s affliction.
No, we currently don't have any pets, except for an aquarium of fish. This is a young and wild rabbit. It managed to wiggle out of the towel I had it wrapped in...but it's completely passive. I picked a stalk of lemon sorrel to see if it'd eat it, and it's not interested in it at all. I guess there's really nothing I can do for it but try and keep it comfortable maybe.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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There are many rabbits around here, and if you have them they love to eat grape leaves, Hosta leaves, yes, carrots, grass and various weeds in the yard. Meanwhile I would call your state Fish & Game or Wildlife department. They most likely will have some local wildlife rehabilitation people they can refer you to.
It is suffering. It is also a disease vector. There are other pretty unpleasant infectious diseases (tularemia and Lyme's disease just to name a couple) rabbits are prone to including a new hemorrhagic virus that is killing thousands of rabbits all over the US (don't know where you are OP). If you don't have a wildlife rehabilitator in your area to talk to about it I'd probably dispatch it. The thought of it lying somewhere terrified and defenseless until death chooses to arrive would be hard to bear.
Last edited by Parnassia; 07-27-2020 at 02:06 PM..
It is suffering. It is also a disease vector. There are other pretty unpleasant infectious diseases (tularemia and Lyme's disease just to name a couple) rabbits are prone to including a new hemorrhagic virus that is killing thousands of rabbits all over the US (don't know where you are OP). If you don't have a wildlife rehabilitator in your area to talk to about it I'd probably dispatch it. The thought of it lying somewhere terrified and defenseless until death chooses to arrive would be hard to bear.
When my cat mangled a rabbit's leg so badly that it couldn't move an emergency vet said they would euthanizes it for me.
OP - not sure where you are, but I just saw the following on NextDoor. You may want to be careful with how you dispose of the rabbit.
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHDV2).
Grand Canyon, Ariz. - The National Park Service is asking visitors to take caution and not to approach wildlife, especially wild rabbits. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHDV2) was recently detected in a dead jackrabbit found within Grand Canyon National Park, making it the first detected case in the park.
RHDV2 is a highly-contagious and lethal viral disease among domestic and wild rabbits. The virus does not infect humans, but other causes of illness and mortality of rabbits can. The public is instructed to remain cautious and to follow the instructions below to protect themselves, pets and rabbits while in the park.
If you see sick or dead rabbits in Grand Canyon National Park:
Do not touch or handle the animal.
Contact the Wildlife Program
Protect Your Pets:
Keep dogs on a leash of 6 feet or less.
Do not allow dogs or other pets to interact with sick or dead rabbits, or other wildlife.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center, RHDV2 is considered a foreign animal disease, meaning the disease is not typically found in the United States and is a threat to domestic and wild animal health. This virus is not related to the coronavirus causing COVID-19 in humans.
This virus can be transmitted among rabbits through contact with an infected rabbit, with body fluids or feces from an infected rabbit, or with a contaminated environment. The virus can survive on clothing, plant material, or other items that may be accidentally moved from an infected area. Before visiting other wild areas, wash clothing and disinfect footwear.
Rabbit owners should exercise extreme caution to avoid accidental exposure of rabbits to this disease. Domestic rabbits should not be housed outdoors in areas where contact with wild rabbits is possible. Contact your veterinarian for more information about this disease in domestic rabbits.
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