Eeeep! Now what?

[hippywife]

I just rescued two tiny baby bunnies from my dog. They seem scared but okay for the most part. One may have a hurt leg. I brought them inside in a cardboard box. Now what do I do to keep them alive?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. There was a Lounge thread about this not too long ago:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=7656016&mesg_id=7657215

[hippywife]

2. Thank you, ocelot!

There are now five of them!! One had a little blood on it but I haven't explored where it's coming from yet. I followed the dogs into the woods and found where they got them. There doesn't seem to be anymore but I can't really tell since it's an underground warren.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Good luck with the bunnies.

Are you anywhere near a wildlife rescue organization? They might be able to help.

[hippywife]

4. I don't know.

I'll have to check. They catch and eat rodents all the time but I can't let them have these bunnies. I have them laying all together in the box for warmth and familiarity hoping they will comfort each other and keep from going further into shock.

[hippywife]

5. My husband just kept the

dogs distracted while I took the box outside. I placed them back down in the nest and re-covered it. From everything I've read so far, that's their best chance to survive. I really hope the dogs don't go back there and find them. I can only hope. :cry:

[hippywife]

6. I hate my dogs right now.

They found the bunnies again this morning. I heard the sound of little screams and saw one running from my smaller dog. I got it but the bigger dog had another and wasn't giving it up. Looked like it was already dead and she ate it pretty quickly to keep me from getting it. I saw a bigger rabbit running very close to her so I hope it was the mamma and she went back and moved her other babies. I stood out there as long as I could this morning to keep the dogs out of the area.

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[blondie58]

7. how heartbreaking, hippiewife

how sad that must be to watch. Your poor dogs, though, are just being dogs, but I would hate them, also. I am so sorry that you're going through this.

[hippywife]

8. She brought out another one

a little later. I had already checked the nest and there were none there. She must have had it stashed somewhere. It's in good shape. They are both in a box here in the house with each other and some cloth napkins that I put in there to keep them warm. They are cuddled together comforting each other.

I figure they are going to probably die but at least it will be in peace and not screaming their terrorized little hearts out.

Thanx, blondie. :cry: :cry: :cry:

[KC]

10. find a

wildlife rescue person and let them take care of them. Most emergency vet hospitals have phone numbers for these
people. We've used them quite often for the same thing as you are going through


KC

[Coyote_Bandit]

9. .

I'm sorry that happened and that you had to witness it.

I suspect, however, that my dogs would have done the same thing.

[Lorien]

11. PM Majorabbit

she's a wildlife rehabilitator who specializes in bunnies.

[hippywife]

12. Reply AND Update for everyone:

Thanx to info from Coyote Bandit, who also lives in my area, we were able to take the two remaining babies to a vet yesterday that will care for them and then turn them over to a rehaber.

It was a great relief to know they will be taken care of and have a fighting chance.

I know my dogs were just doing what dogs will do but it really didn't make it any easier to watch. They were so tiny and cute.

Thanx to everyone for the suggestions, info, and comfort. :hug: