|
Post by alpacasock on May 22, 2023 10:31:32 GMT -5
I went over to a spot that I am growing some corn and saw some juvenal bunnies so I sprayed them gently with the hose to shoo them away. Well, then I looked down and saw one by my feet and I don't know if I stepped on he or she and hurt them. It tried to hop away but moved in an erratic fashion like maybe its back leg is hurt? I thought for a second to humanly put it out of its pain, but just not sure if that's the case. Now it's under some undergrowth by the house and separated from its siblings. Does anyone know if juvenal rabbits are sort of floppy hoppers? I don't know how else to put it. Also, I got close to it and worry now if it's OK that its family will reject it. Any suggestions in this matter would be greatly appreciated, feel rather distraught over this...
|
|
|
Post by breezygardener on May 22, 2023 11:24:31 GMT -5
If they're already hopping around, they're probably beyond the "reject" stage. They're not normally "floppy hoppers". But if you did step on it & injure it, it's most likely beyond help. I'd just let it be unless you have a wildlife rehabilitator in your vicinity.
|
|
|
Post by alpacasock on May 22, 2023 11:35:35 GMT -5
breezygardener , thanks for your reply, I just hate for an animal to needlessly suffer. I actually picked it up as I was trying to get it in an area that had some cover and it didn't make any pained noises. I checked the area which it ran to and can't even find the bugger so maybe I was just a bit hysterical. During covid I bought these "cricket traps" for my Mom's garage and didn't really think about them- but they were glue traps and ended up trapping two baby mice which I tried to deal with humanely, and that didn't go well... and was enough that I quit eating mammals after a long stretch of eating pretty much every sort of meat.
|
|
|
Post by breezygardener on May 22, 2023 12:25:50 GMT -5
Oh Lord - please do not EVER use glue traps. They are horribly inhumane.
|
|
|
Post by alpacasock on May 22, 2023 12:53:27 GMT -5
breezygardener, I agree- but I thoughtlessly ordered them on Amazon under "cricket traps". What a horrible mistake.
|
|
|
Post by alpacasock on May 22, 2023 18:42:45 GMT -5
Ok, so I found him cowering. I don't think I stepped on him but that he might have some prior head injury etc., as he didn't run away with his siblings. I put him in a raised bed for the night and added some covering. I'll call around in the morning to see if their is a wildlife rehab place near here.
|
|
|
Post by gardendmpls on May 22, 2023 21:23:21 GMT -5
Find the white spot on his head interesting. I would not handle a wild rabbit without gloves, as it may have a disease, such as tularemia (rabbit fever), transmittable to humans.
|
|
|
Post by breezygardener on May 22, 2023 22:49:57 GMT -5
[ Find the white spot on his head interesting. I would not handle a wild rabbit without gloves, as it may have a disease, such as tularemia (rabbit fever), transmittable to humans. Every wild Cottontail rabbit kit I've ever seen or raised has had a white spot on its forehead, although this one's spot is larger than most. And you're unlikely to contract tularemia from your brief contact with this bunny, particularly if you washed your hands afterwards.
|
|
|
Post by alpacasock on May 23, 2023 5:25:11 GMT -5
Thanks for the heads-up regarding rabbit fever. I used my gardening gloves. When I went to check on her this morning she was gone so she's either ok as she had to jump over the 1' side of the bed (is that possible for such a young rabbit) or a hawk got it. Either way a better scenario than the bunny slowly dying.
|
|
|
Post by breezygardener on May 23, 2023 10:54:43 GMT -5
(is that possible for such a young rabbit) Yup - definitely possible. You'd be amazed at how they can jump, even when very small. I've raised more than my fair share of abandoned bunnies over the years, & they're amazing creatures. (Oh, & I've never contracted Tuleremia, even handling glove-less - but I AM a religious hand-washer.)
|
|
|
Post by gardendmpls on May 23, 2023 12:02:17 GMT -5
Oh, & I've never contracted Tuleremia Didn't mean to imply tularemia was so easily contagious. Just was the only rabbit disease name that popped into my head. Was too tired to go look some others up. Hunters usually infected by preparing their catch for cooking. Just looked now and found "Zoonotic diseases associated with rabbits include pasteurellosis, ringworm, mycobacteriosis, cryptosporidiosis and external parasites". They can also carry diseases that will affect dogs, such as parvo. It's always good to take precautions when handling wild animals.
|
|
|
Post by breezygardener on May 23, 2023 12:32:54 GMT -5
"Zoonotic diseases associated with rabbits include pasteurellosis, ringworm, mycobacteriosis, cryptosporidiosis and external parasites". They can also carry diseases that will affect dogs, such as parvo. It's always good to take precautions when handling wild animals. Yes - I am well aware of all of the above, but with normal proper hygiene there is absolutely no reason to believe that you (or your pets) will contract any of the above. No reason to deter or scare the bejesus out of people wanting to help injured wildlife.
|
|
|
Post by gardendmpls on May 23, 2023 14:20:12 GMT -5
No reason to deter or scare the bejesus out of people wanting to help injured wildlife. Wasn't trying to be scary. Just trying to keep them aware. I don't know how many times I have had to warn neighbors not to get too close to a sick raccoon. Just a few months ago a neighbor was trying to get one to move by using a short stick to prod it. He might have been attacked or bitten. You shouldn't be afraid to help animals, but you must be cautious. Here you can call the city and they will come with the proper equipment and turn the animal over to a trained rehabilitator if it is possible to save it.
|
|
|
Post by alpacasock on May 23, 2023 15:23:28 GMT -5
I appreciate the concern, etc., I personally would never approach a racoon. That seems like trouble for someone who isn't experienced with them. I feel like I gained a new appreciation for rabbits from this experience. I think I see the mama around the hood a bit, she's a big bugger. I like how they freeze like a statue and watch you with their little eyes. Despite this new found fondness for bunnies I ended up putting a bunch of chicken wire around areas which I rather them not munching in. breezygardener, have you ever had to help orphaned bunnies go the bathroom? I was reading last night how the mothers lick that area which helps facilitate the process.
|
|
|
Post by gardendmpls on May 23, 2023 15:37:35 GMT -5
I was reading last night how the mothers lick that area which helps facilitate the process. It's similar to kittens. I've rescued plenty of those. Used a soft rag or kleenex to stimulate them to relieve themselves.
|
|