Cat brought in baby bunny. What do I do?

Question

My cat brought in a baby bunny at 3 in the morning. It woke me up screaming and I ran downstairs and caught it, holding it with a fish towel. I put it in an old birds cage I have, and put a beach towl on the bottom.

It has some injuries, nothing horrible. The fur got ripped off in 3 places. The skin is raw and red but not bleeding. I'm worried about this because a cats saliva has bacteria.

I left it in the garage last night. It curled up under the towel and was warm enough.

This morning I got a handful of clover and left it in the cage with a dish of water. I moved the cage into my house in my room with the door closed. I can tell the rabbit is old enough to eat greens. It's eyes are open, ears are erect at times and it can run fairly quickly.

I'm just wondering if I need to take it to the vet. It's eating the clover and seems to be drinking the water although I can't tell very well about the water. It's pooping small pellets and doesn't move much.

I want to nurse it back to health but I feel it may become dependent on me if I keep it for too long. I don't want to release it into the wild with its wounds as it will surely be killed then. What should I do? How do I keep it comfortable? Should I just buy a rabbit cage? I think it's an eastern cottontail. Do they get big? And most importantly, should I take it to the vet or should I just let it heal itself. The wounds are pretty big but they're not deep and it's not bleeding (there was blood on the floor when I found it this morning screaming).

Information and any help with this will be greatly appreciated! Thanks everyone!

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Ok I hada similar situation with a stray around my home and also I've owned bunnies and large rabbits so I can help.
Take the rabbit to the vet so it doesn't die from infection.
Also yes you should buy a rabbit cage and bedding. go to a local pet store pick up a bag of rabbit pellets and a small bag of hay. You should feed the rabbit vegetables. ( carrots and greens. Also fresh grass.)
After a while of it healing and back to health if It survives then the choice is up to you.
Do you want to keep it? 
Or do you want to let it go?
I would probably keep it if I were you but it's your choice.

crochet · Answer

Your cat delivered you a modern- no, particularly, that's what it theory it replaced into doing, bringing you a modern of prey. first of all- the dimensions does not unavoidably advise this is a toddler. there are a number of form of mice- a number of that are that small. just so which you already know. in case you want to objective to keep it, placed it in a depressing, sparkling field with air holes, somewhat dish of water (a jar lid ought to do it) and doubtless somewhat grain or something, in spite of the reality that I doubt it is going to consume. placed it someplace quiet and go away or no longer this is. If it survives the hour, THEN attempt giving it foodstuff. specifically, shop touch to a minimum- go away or no longer this is as much as available. If it survives long adequate for the wound to start healing, merely enable it bypass loose outdoors. regrettably, small prey animals die very particularly of ask your self. do no longer wish too lots.

Emma Raven · Answer

you may have a wildlife clinic in your area. take the bunny there for assesment and treatment by their vets. tell them you are willing to nurse it back to health and get their opinion on releasing vs. keeping. both sides have pros and cons. but if its a baby its trickier to release as they are to used to human contact. if you dont have a wildlife clinic go to your nearest vet.

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Cat brought in baby bunny. What do I do?

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