Baby bunny emergency

[cassie]

Great news!! How often do you feed him? In my situation I may someday need that information. Congratulations!!

 

[HuskerHens18]

Great news!! How often do you feed him? In my situation I may someday need that information. Congratulations!!

I did a lot of reading and he accepts the milk much easier if I follow what a mother rabbit does, which is once in the morning and once at night. I let him eat until he stops suckling on the syringe. I tried a kitten bottle but the nipple was still too big for his tiny mouth. I don't remember how much the syringe holds, it's a small one, but last night he had 3 full syringes and this morning he had 1 and 3/4.
I tried feeding him in the afternoons but he just fought it away.

 

[HuskerHens18]

Well, It appears tonight is the little guy's final night. He's been doing amazing, he opened his eyes and has been running and digging. I've bumped his feedings up by a lot, makes him even happier.
Unfortunately, when I went to give him his evening meal, he wouldn't take it, and out of nowhere he can't stand and is ice cold. I've been up with him since about 11pm trying to make him eat and warm up. I filled his tummy and have left him to be with his chick friends. The tempature never changed, so I'm not sure what caused him to go from alive and active to on his deathbed in a matter of a few hours.
Its most likely since I am not his mother, but I had no other choice and would go through this again if I had to. He could've been eaten alive, or froze to death, or starved to death.
Instead, he always had a full tummy and was surrounding by friends and warmth.
Thank you all so much for your help and support, God bless you. I appreciate every comment and information.

 

[OF65]

Just possibly it is from the dust the chickens make, but then he could have been internally injured by the dogs. You have done your best and beat yourself up.
Being cold like that sounds like a bleedout.
Hugs to you.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Rabbits are susceptible to enteritis, an inflammation of the gut that kills pretty quickly. It's caused by a rapid change in diet, so it could of been that. Another question would be did you rub it's bottom to get it to deficate and urinate after you fed it? Sorry you lost it. You did your best.

 

[HuskerHens18]

Rabbits are susceptible to enteritis, an inflammation of the gut that kills pretty quickly. It's caused by a rapid change in diet, so it could of been that. Another question would be did you rub it's bottom to get it to deficate and urinate after you fed it? Sorry you lost it. You did your best.

That's good to know, and yes I did, I was peed on more times than I care to admit. Even while using a paper towel he'd still get me haha

 

[dpenning]

From what I've seen even experienced rehabbers have a hard time with baby bunnies. You gave him a shot anyway!