baby hare
POSTED BY: boris
UPDATED: Sunday, October 24, 2010 07:27
VIEWED: 3137
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My parents found the little mite on the road.He's about 3 weeks old. Mother was no where to be found so we think she's probly been killed by cats or roaming dogs (yes some of my neighbours are that irresponsible particularly two poodle owners who are of the opinion their dogs are harmless to other animals) anyway because its a non native animal local wildlife carers won't take it and the RSPCA is too far away. Anyone know what to feed em? My mum is giving it cows milk (well thats what they fed orphaned rabbits back in Sicily) But I'm thinking thats not gonna sustain it. tips would be appreciated
also interestingly our cat hasn't tried to eat it...he's given it a pat and a lick here and there but no desire to maul. We're hoping they'll be buddies.
Rose S
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The cat's just waiting 'til you fatten the rabbit up a bit! 
King of the Mythical Land that is Iowa
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Um... The bunny's best chance of survival is for you to put it right back where you found it, according to this. Mother rabbits and hares leave their babies alone during the day and only come back to the nest to feed them at night. The only way to tell if the baby was abandoned is if they were cold and their belly wasn't full from nursing, or if the bunny appears sick, weakened, or diseased. Of course, feeding the baby bunny cow's milk is going to confuse this. But yes, cow's milk does not provide sufficient nourishment for the bunny. Vitamin-fortified Goat formula or cat formula is what this recommends.
You're in for a very hard road. Not only do they generally not survive on milk other than their mother's, but there's a host of other issues, like being unable to urinate properly without the mother's help. Wild rabbits and hares, even if you hand rear them, are known to freak out in captivity at about 9 weeks, throwing themselves against walls until they die. Even if you do successfully hand raise the hare, you won't be able to keep it.
http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/orphan.html
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You need a hotbox, required for raising babies or sick birds and rodents.
Best is a glass aquarium with a reptile screen on top, or hamster steel cage. A 100 watt bulb is left on at all times outside the cage to give 100 degree temp. Adjust distance using a thermometer. Too hot will cook it to death, too cool will cause disease and death.
Feed with a CLEAN glass dropper. Milk formula should be preheated and always fresh. Need to add vitamins, minerals and electrolytes to the formula if not already included. Rodent/bird electrolytes with antibiotics and bird baby formula available at pet stores. Spoiled milk will kill.
Provide clean bedding and a nest of some sort. Wean to water with vitamins, and fresh grasses. Little hay bales for rabbits available at pet stores.
Release to the wild ASAP. Once tamed its a sitting duck for dogs.
Or build a large heated rabbit cage and house with lock, suitable for repelling a large dog.
Good luck.
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Elaborating on what PN said, if you do keep the bunny, I think the temperature is supposed to be between 32 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius, depending on the age of the little thing. If the bunny is really young, eyes not open, you want it on the warmer end, an older bunny you want it more towards the cool end.
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thanks for all the good advice everybody. My parents do have some experience so yeah he was cold and hungry. Ideally we'll find someone who will be able to look after him and then release him. we'll do our best till then. Thanks Muchly.
Rose S
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Oh good. Well, then that bunny is lucky. :)
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