Injured Rabbits?

The most common injuries to rabbits are due to predator attacks, most often caused by domestic cats. Other causes of injuries to rabbits are human caused. These can be deliberate, such as gun shot wounds, traps, deliberate den destruction or poison. Some are accidental, such as car strikes, careless leaving out of nets or other dangerous materials or the accidental destruction of their den.

Injured rabbits are usually very easy to identify, there will be obvious wounds, blood, missing skin, punctures and/or fractures, etc. Sometimes the injury isn’t immediately obvious but as you approach the rabbit it may not be able to escape due to paralysis. 

Rabbits do not have many defenses and their first instinct is to run, so if a rabbit does not flee your approach you can be quite certain that there is something wrong.

If you find an injured rabbit your first step should be to call your nearest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center or Vet Clinic for further instruction.

If the rabbit is in immediate danger containing the animal before calling is ok.

Using a soft fabric gently pick the animal up being careful not to cause further damage to any wounds, while trying to keep the spine and hind end supported. Line a cardboard box that is just big enough to fit the Rabbit in with a soft, non-raveling fabric and place the Rabbit inside. Make sure that you have put some ventilation holes in the box to prevent overheating. See below for further tips on containing Rabbits for transport.

Was it a cat attack?

Outdoor cats cause terrible devastation to our wildlife, and young bunnies are no exception to this. Please, if your cat brings home a young bunny, it is very important not to let your cat back out for 2-3 weeks. This will allow the remaining baby bunnies to grow and move on (baby bunnies leave the nest at the young age of 3 weeks). If you do not keep your cat in, he or she will keep going back to the nest and taking babies until they are all dead.

If your cat brings you a rabbit, whether it is a baby, youth or adult, and it is still alive, it is very important to get the rabbit to a Wildlife Rehabilitator or Vet Clinic, even if there is no sign of blood or injury. Cats saliva contains a bacteria called Pasturella that is virulent and will colonize so rapidly that by the time the animal begins to show symptoms (12-35 hours) is it too late to save the animal.

Line a cardboard box that is just big enough to fit the Rabbit in with a soft, non-raveling fabric and place the Rabbit inside. Make sure that you have put some ventilation holes in the box to prevent overheating. See below for further tips on containing Rabbits for transport.

Did you find baby bunnies?

If you find a baby bunny that is uninjured and healthy, the best course of action is to return the baby to its nest if at all possible. A mother rabbit will not reject a baby that has been touched by a human.

If you do not know where the nest is, or if it is unsafe to return the baby to the nest, or you know for a fact that the mother has been killed then the baby will need to be taken to your nearest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center or Vet Clinic.

Place the baby in a fleece lined, ventilated cardboard box and call immediately.

If the baby bunny is furless or cold they will need help immediately. Warm them in your cupped hands only, do NOT use artificial means to warm the baby, if this is done incorrectly it can cause death.

Do NOT attempt to feed, give formula or give water to the baby bunny, they are incredibly fragile and need special care from a Wildlife Rehabilitator or Veterinarian.

How do you transport a rabbit?

Line a cardboard box that is just big enough to fit the rabbit in with a soft, non-raveling fabric and place the rabbit inside. Make sure that you have put some ventilation holes in the box to prevent overheating.

Rabbits are very stress-y animals and can die from fright or high stress situations, covering the box with a light, breathable cloth so that the rabbit does not feel exposed will help. Place the box in a quiet, dark room that is cool in the summer and warm in the winter then call your nearest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center or Vet Clinic right away. Do not provide the rabbit with any food or water.