Today I found my dog cornering a baby rabbit, which was alive but not moving. I picked it up and it started shrieking, and seemed unhurt, so I put it in the warren entrance, thinking it was in shock.
Later today we went past again, and there was what seemed to be the same baby shivering at my dogs feet again. This time, I noticed its eyes were closed, and there were lots of flies around that had laid eggs in its fur and ears. I realised it had myxomatosis and put it on the ground at the same time as my other dog found and quickly gulped down (he's big) another baby.
What I want to know is how quickly does myxie take hold? I saw healthy adults there only yesterday and if it was the same baby it went downhill in hours.
Also, if my dogs find other babies, what should I do? Let my big dog eat them (he takes them whole, chews/bites a bit, then swallows)? Kill them another way? Leave them be?
Also, how do the flies know its going to die and come in so quick?
2007-05-22 06:57:46 · 3 answers · asked by Stardust 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
*sigh* I should know this because I have rabbits. Myxomatosis really hasn't spread to the US though...thank goodness. With all our rabbit shows, it could spread quickly once it arrives.
Depending on how old the bunny was, if your dog was able to corner it, it may already have been seriously ill. Those little things are very resourceful, even at a young age.
I would probably just leave them be, but if you can't bear to see them die like that, you could have them euthanized...
2007-05-22 12:56:34 · answer #1 · answered by benden 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow! Didn't know about this stuff, but from the quick read I did, it seems that it should NOT have happened that quickly. They are talking about it sometimes taking up to 2 weeks to die -- UGH! Good article, though:
http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rwf/articles/understanding_myxo.htm
As for the flies -- they can probably smell the accumulating poisons in the rabbits system as it sickens. They have an amazing ability to do that.
2007-05-22 08:38:31 · answer #2 · answered by Yahzmin ♥♥ 4ever 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If i'm indecisive long sufficient will they the two be tossed into meat grinder? Gnaws at whats left of the stumps that used to help fingernails, shakes violently with deranged blood shot tweaker eyes, and mutters to him self below his breath approximately unusual meat stew. Gnaws on thumb, is extremely hungry...
2016-11-05 00:26:24 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋