It is important to not try to treat an injury on your own, even if you have found an injured rabbit or bunny.If you want to rehabilitate wild bunnies, you should take them to a vet or rehabilitation center as little as possible.You can do more to keep your bunny safe and comfortable while you take it to the vet, including examining it, cleaning wounds, and controlling bleeding.
Step 1: Take your rabbit to the vet.
It is always best to take your rabbit to the vet, even if you choose to treat it on your own.Keeping your rabbit as safe and comfortable as possible is your job.Know your vet's hours and have a backup plan.If your vet is not available for emergencies outside of office hours, you should have another vet that is.
Step 2: You should be aware of the less obvious signs of injury.
If your rabbit is bleeding, has been bitten, or stepped on, you should take him to the vet.Injuries are not always obvious since rabbits have high pain thresholds.Lying on one side for extended periods of time is a less obvious sign of injury.Falling over.It is difficult to walk in a straight line.A change in posture.Awkward stance.Licking, rubbing or scratching an area.Failure to eat or drink for 24 hours.Failure to pass fecal pellets for more than 8 hours.
Step 3: Determine the nature of the rabbit's injury by examining it.
The injury will affect how you care for your rabbit.If the injury isn't life threatening.The rabbit is bleeding heavily, paralyzed, or in shock and should have the same nose and whiskers.Look for discharge and swelling.Glassy or closed eyes are a sign of shock.If the pupils dilate, shine a light into them.If the whites of the eyes are yellow, this is a serious problem.Lift the lips to look at the teeth.If you push on them with your finger, they should be pink.Pale gums are a sign of something.Make sure there are no broken teeth.Feel for bumps, or swelling on the head and neck.Head tilt can be a sign of injury.If you see redness, heat or swelling, it's a limb.Run both hands down each limb from the shoulder to the toes if no one is found.If your rabbit is in pain, stop immediately.It is a sign of shock to have cold feet.Run your hands along the ribcage.Feel for swelling.Look for redness or swelling in your rabbit's stomach.A sign of shock is rapid breathing and a beat in the heart.
Step 4: If your rabbit is in shock, immediately take it to the vet.
It is possible to kill a rabbit.Wrap it in a clean towel and take it to the vet if it is glassy, cold, and breathing fast.You will have to move it as little as possible if you place the towel and carrier next to your rabbit.Keep your rabbit warm and minimize stress if you suspect he is in shock.Give him a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel so he doesn't get scorched.He should be placed in a covered box so that he doesn't feel exposed and vulnerable.
Step 5: If your exam shows no obvious problems, wrap your rabbit in a towel.
Rabbits lose heat quickly because of injury.If you think your rabbit is injured, you can gently wrap it in a towel and take it to the vet.He should be given a dark safe place to hide.While you are assessing his injuries or waiting to hear back from the vet, make him feel as safe as possible, because rabbits have been known to die from pure stress.
Step 6: Take care of broken bones.
If you attempt to splints broken bones, you may cause more injury.The rabbit should be placed in a box so that he doesn't try to move around.If the bones are exposed through the skin, cover them with a first aid kit.If you don't have sterile gauze, place a clean handkerchief over the bones to reduce the amount ofbacteria in the air.If you don't have a clean piece of fabric, leave the bones exposed and inform the vet so that they can decide if antibiotics are necessary.Attempting to push the bone ends back under the skin is never done.If a leg is dangling at an odd angle or unable to move properly, this may be a sign of a spine injury.When moving your rabbit into the carrier, make sure to practice extra care.
Step 7: There are shallow cuts and bite wounds.
If your rabbit has been bitten, it's best to take it to the vet to make sure the wound is clean.The wound should be flushed using a solution of iodine and warm water.If you don't have iodine, you can use an antiseptic soap in warm water or make a salt water solution.The water should be warm as cold water can cause shock.You can clean and treat a minor cut yourself.To make sure it is healing well, be sure to check it regularly.
Step 8: Put pressure on the bleeding.
Applying pressure may save your rabbit's life.If a clean towel or cloth is not available, apply firm but gentle pressure to the wound.If the cloth or pad becomes saturated with blood, do not remove it.Continue applying pressure by applying another one.Get your rabbit to the vet as soon as possible.The pressure pad should be bandaged if you don't have help and need to drive to the vet.
Step 9: The flush burns with water.
Cool running water should flow over the burn for a minimum of 10 minutes if a hot liquid or caustic chemical is spilled on your rabbit.It is the most effective way of avoiding problems from a fresh burn if you do this before moving the rabbit to the vet.Ointments can interfere with the vet's care for your pet.If your bunny has a burn from biting an electric cord, its mouth may be burnt or it may have fluid in its lungs.The latter is more likely if he is breathing quickly.Place him in aventilated place while you get help.
Step 10: Styptic powder can be put on an injured claw.
If the claw is torn off, you will want to see your vet, but a broken claw, or one that has been trimmed too close, can be dealt with at home.To stop the bleeding, apply styptic powder, and check regularly to make sure the claw is healing.
Step 11: Don't try to care for a wild rabbit yourself.
Unless you are licensed by the Department of Environmental Protection in your state, it is illegal to keep a wild animal.It takes careful training and expertise to care for injured rabbits.You will make the situation worse if you don't have it.
Step 12: Make sure the rabbit is free.
Most of the rabbits in the wild are brown with white tails.If you see a rabbit in the wild with different colors, it is most likely a domesticated rabbit that has escaped or been set loose.These rabbits need help.They should be captured and taken to a vet to check for diseases.You can either care for them yourself or have the rabbit adopted.
Step 13: The rabbit might be injured.
Wild animals should be left alone.There is a chance that an inexperienced handler can break a rabbit's spine.The stress of capture can cause death.If you are going to take a wild rabbit out of its natural environment, you need to make sure it is okay.Lying on their sides for extended periods of time is one of the signs that a rabbit is injured.It's possible to fall over or be unable to run in a straight line.There are bleeding or puncture wounds.
Step 14: If the injury is not serious, leave the animal in place.
It is best to leave the rabbit in place if it can move.Dogs and children shouldn't be near the rabbit.
Step 15: If the rabbit is seriously injured, contact a vet.
If the rabbit is bleeding, lying on its side, or has been in a cat or dog's mouth, contact the vet.You should make sure the vet is willing to see wildlife patients.The vet will usually refer you to a rehabilitation center if you don't.
Step 16: Pick up a wild rabbit with gloves on.
Tularemia is a disease that can be transmitted to humans.Inflammation of the eyes, a sore throat, and other symptoms may be present.Without treatment, the disease can be fatal.Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling wild rabbits.
Step 17: The rabbit needs to be handled with care.
A wild rabbit's response to being picked up by you will be one of fear.Pick the rabbit up by the ears, legs, or scruff to reduce the chance of injury.Put one hand under it's chest and the other under its bottom.To reduce its ability to kick out or bite you, carry it with its head slightly higher than its back.The rabbit should be kept close to the ground.When rabbits are captured by hawks, they rise high off the ground.They do not like it.As soon as possible, transfer the rabbit to a carrier.The shorter the distance, the better.You can take it to the vet in a basket, shoebox or carrier.If you use a carrier that has been used by a cat or dog, the smells will cause rabbit anxiety.