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URGENT need a chat about orphaned bunnies

F

fibromom

New Kit
Oh how I pray that someone will come online soon whom I can chat with.
A long, sad story short: I have 3 orphaned (near full term) baby bunnies. I'd just like to read about experiences like this and pick people's brains. I'm working so hard to keep these sweeties alive but I know the odds are against me.
 
Sky O,
I was an OB nurse prior to becoming disabled with severe Fibromyalgia (ME) so I've got experience in needs of (HUMAN newborns!)
Babes are BRAND NEW... they were a few hours old when I posted. (We did a c-section on Mom who was dead immediately before delivery. Didn't know she was pg but babes look full term.) As of right this moment, they are 29 hrs old. I've been feeding them warmed, diluted cow whipping cream in a 3 cc syringe, no tube nor nipple. They've done amazingly well, tonight's feeding (I feed every 4 hours) blessed me with ALL 3 getting the "sucking thing" down. "Runt" has always been best at it and HE'S VERY TINY.
They are all passing urine and feces. That, too, is a miracle in my mind's eye. Tomorrow, I'll get some KMR (kitten milk replacement, I think it's called) and some goat's milk to add to it but I don't think I should feed them ANYTHING HOMOGENIZED/// anybody know anything about that?
I know I've got a slim chance of saving them but I am giving my "all" to it.
Please help... maybe send me a crisis addy to send my questions to if nothing else.
 
Cows milk isn't good for young animals. You best option is either goats milk or kitchen replacement milk. Don't add any cows milk to it. If you're in the US then you might be able to get hold of actual rabbit replacement milk if you can get in touch with a cottontail (wild rabbit) rehabber as they often have it to hand. Your local humane society or a wildlife rescue can probably let you know about any in your area.

If you know or can find anyone with a doe with a litter the same age you can also try fostering the kits to her. That's the highest survival chance but hard to locate someone.

Sterilization is important, do the same as you would for babies, used boiled water to mix feeds, clean equipment afterwards etc.

Feeding wise they'll probably need to eat about 4 times a day and they'll eat a little more each day until around 4 weeks when they tail off again. It sounds like you've got the hang of toileting.

Getting them to 29 hours with that kinda of start is impressive! The first few days and then the 2-3 weeks period is most risky. Rabbits are particularly hard to successfully handrear but it is possible so good luck!
 
I wonder if it would be possible to find a foster mum for these babies?

If you're in the UK I wonder if a breeder or someone in your area may be able to foster them to an already feeding doe?

How are they this morning?
 
Sky-O said:
I wonder if it would be possible to find a foster mum for these babies?

If you're in the UK I wonder if a breeder or someone in your area may be able to foster them to an already feeding doe?

How are they this morning?
Click to expand...

OP is in the states Sky :wave: (From her first thread i just read)
 
GrahamL said:
OP is in the states Sky :wave: (From her first thread i just read)
Click to expand...

Ah ok. Still might be potential for a foster mum in the states. *nods* Have seen it done more successfully over there than over here actually, due to less of a divide between breeders and rescues, in a lot of cases (although obviously not all).
 
You should be able to find a wildlife rehabber that can help. :) Hope the babies make it!
 
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