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Trying to raise orphaned wild rabbit species (cottontails, hares,
etc) is rarely a rewarding venture. Bunnies are often orphaned when
people unknowingly disrupt a nest. Lactating does (females) nurse
their young for only 3-5 minutes in the early morning hours of each
day, giving the uninformed observer the impression that the new
mother is neglecting her litter or that she has abandoned it
altogether. This is how people mistakenly make orphans out of
bunnies that are, in fact, being well and properly cared for by their
mothers. Causes for abandonment of the nest include agalactia (doe
with no milk), mastitis (doe with infection of the mammary glands),
hypothermia (chilling) of the young, and physical disturbance of the
nest itself.
Whenever possible, orphaned bunnies should be placed with a doe
nursing hew own litter. Success is most likely if the orphans are
less than 2 weeks of age and within 2 days of the age of the litter
belonging to the foster doe. A drop of perfume or a pine oil-type
scent applied to the nose of the foster doe helps to prevent
rejection of the orphaned bunnies.
Orphaned bunnies under 3 weeks of age can be fed warmed, supplemented,
Esbilac (Borden). Substitute milk formula should be given slowly 2-3
times daily. Up to 5 cc (1 teaspoon) can be given the first few days.
The volume is increased slowly to 15 cc (1 tablespoon) the second week,
and to 25 cc (nearly 1 ounce) by the third week.
The anal area should be gently swabbed with a warm water-soaked
cottonball to stimulate defecation and urination.
Aspiration pneumonia, hypothermia and diarrhea are
frequent consequences of hand-feeding orphaned bunnies.
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