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    Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.

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URGENT HELP baby rabbit

lustar

New Kit
I rescue rabbits and help people who cant look after sick rabbits. I have just had a call to collect a baby rabbit.
It is 2 weeks old and one of the children picked it out the nest to have a look. With the rabbit being so tiny and wriggling the child lost control and baby jumped out of their hands onto the concrete. The rabbit was immediately picked up and checked over. They noticed that it was squeaking and it's head was being held in a funny way and breathing was laboured, this is when I got the call.
I have checked baby over and it is holding it's head back and to one side. It's breathing is now normal as it's little heartbeat. With it being hurt it has been taken away from its Mum, I have kitten milk and pippets just in case. I currently have it wrapped in a tea towel on my chest so that it can warm up from the shock and to hope my heart beat is soothing to it.
Can I ask, as I have never had to treat a rabbit so young before, what do people think is the best thing to do? I thought I'd keep an eye on it overnight see how it is in the morning. I am really stumped on this one.
Thanks for reading and I am praying someone can give me some advice.
Laura
 
It sounds to me as though the kit might have suffered an injury to his/her neck in which case the prognosis isn't good.

My strong preference would be to return the kit to mum and let Nature take its course - if there is no injury or just a minor injury then mum can rear him/her with the family.

If s/he has to be hand-reared which wouldn't be my preferred course of action then syringe-feeding is possible and in another week add a mushed up caecotrophe to the syringed milk.
 
The kit needs to be taken to a Vet straight away. If he/she is badly injured then euthanasia would be the kindest option

Hand rearing from 2 weeks is fraught with difficulties, made worse if the Kit has sustained an injury.

The best thing you can do this evening is to insure the kit receives Veterinary attention.
 
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