When I was biking today, I found a miniscule rabbit/hare. It's about three and a half inches long, but it's head is rather large for its body. It may have been washed out of its burrow by the rain which was coming down in torrents. Its eyes aren't opened yet, and it can barely stand balanced. We put it in a shoebox with grass and leaves at first, feeding it 2% milk drop by drop. We also let it suck at a damp paper towel. It's sleeping in a cotton sock, and we moved it into a plastic fish tank, softening the bottom with other socks. We put a blue light about seven inches above it. I'm pretty sure it's still weaning. Please tell me how to care for it. We have no idea where its mother/burrow is, and if we knew what creature it was, that might help too. It looks only about five days old; really frail and weak. Please help!! Thanks so much.
2007-07-27 15:39:02 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
It's also squirming around, twitching its paws as if it's unbalanced. Is it just trying to learn how to walk, or should I be concerned? Whenever it gets up, it's shaky and falls down. It scrabbles at the walls trying to get up... Is this normal?
2007-07-28 11:00:17 · update #1
First, most important thing. The milk needs to be puppy milk, which you can get at any pet store. It usually comes powdered and it may come with a special feeder, some look like baby bottles, others look like syringes. Cow's milk is really bad for it. When you feed it, watch for milk coming from its nose, that means its gone down the wrong way, and that can kill it.
In the morning, look through the phonebook and see if there's a nature center anywhere in your area. If you can't find a nature center, try a vet next, then a pet store. Take the critter to whoever you find ASAP, they can either tell you how to take care of it or keep it for you. Make sure they know what they're doing before you leave it.
2007-07-27 15:53:26 · answer #1 · answered by runoutofwhite 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hares are generally bigger and faster than most rabbits and have longer ears and hind legs. They live in the open, relying on their amazing speed -up to 45 mph-to escape from the many predators that depend upon them for food. The jackrabbits of the Western United States are the most common hares. The bunnies you see on lawns are usually common cottontail rabbits. They're slower than hares, though they can sprint quickly over the short distance to their nearby burrow or protective cover. Baby rabbits are born naked and blind in a fur-lined nest made and tended by their mother Baby hares are born on the ground in depressions called "forms," already covered with fur, able to see and move on their own. Leafy and cruciferous vegetables with carrots, a small bottle with a straw-like protruder, newspaper and rabbit nuggets from a store are probably a good idea.
2007-07-27 16:14:22 · answer #2 · answered by RodiKenley 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's a wild animal. It's illegal in most states to keep them. He was kicked out of the nest, (there is no white blaze down the forehead). His mother kicked him out herself. You can let him go, if you want, chase him in your yard. (If you can catch him, keep him. If you can't let him go) Do that every day until he can run away from you. Please do not feed him pet store products. You can't keep this guy! He's WILD. Please look up what to do, i had this happen to me, (But my dog tore the leg to almost falling off) I sewed his leg back, and i rehabbed him. He ran so fast by the time he was done healing. There is nothing wrong with him. And now that you touched him (If the mom would still accept him to the nest) she will forever reject him. Call your animal control if you seriously don't know what to do. You still have to remember, he is wild, no matter how old he is, he wants to be free.
2016-05-20 22:59:49 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
fed baby rabbits a few years ago that were abandoned by mother. Their eyes were not open either. Go to your local vet and buy canned cats milk. Feed every 2 hours
2007-07-27 15:47:34 · answer #4 · answered by sarah r 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are really serious about raising this rabbit you are going to need to consult a vet about a formula. Cow's milk won't be optimal for a rabbit. Also, you are going to need to think about what you are going to do with the rabbit when it grows up, you will not be able to release it because it won't know how to survive.
2007-07-27 15:53:13 · answer #5 · answered by milton b 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. You can find one here: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm
They have the training and the resources to care for sick, injured and orphaned wild animals. They also have the permits that allow them to do it legally.
2007-07-27 16:12:43 · answer #6 · answered by margecutter 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
take it to a wildlife shelter
2007-07-31 22:47:44 · answer #7 · answered by cheri h 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋