CARE FOR ORHPANED
RABBITS/HARES
http://www.orphanedwildlifecare.com/rabbitandhare.htm
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HAVE I FOUND A RABBIT OR A HARE?Although
similar in appearance, rabbits and hares are distinguished by differences in
their anatomy and behaviour. Hares tend
to be larger than rabbits with longer legs and feet. They turn white in the wintertime and are found more typically in
rural areas. Hares are born at a more
advanced stage than rabbits as well, being covered with fur and having their
eyes open. A hare will have her babies
in long grasses, fields, or under a bush.
Rabbits on the other hand
are born without fur and their eyes do not open until a number of days after
birth. A rabbit's nest consists of a
shallow hole covered with natural materials and fur, commonly found in a garden
or against a building typically in an urban setting. IS THE RABBIT/HARE TRULY ORPHANED? Once the young have their eyes open it is very common for them to come away from the nest a bit to explore. If you have found a baby rabbit or hare just sitting in your backyard chances are it is not orphaned. It will make its way back to its nest in the evening. If however the rabbit or hare has been in the same spot for the past two days and is easy to catch then it likely is orphaned and needs help. It is typical never to see mom tending to her babies, she comes usually once or twice a day to feed either late at night or early morning. This way she avoids luring predators back to the nest. If you are uncertain and perhaps something has happened to mom there are a few tricks you can try to determine if mom is still coming. Sprinkle baking flour around the nest. If there are footprints in the flour in the morning then mom is coming. You can also place a string in the shape of an X over the nest. If in the morning the X is disturbed then again mom is coming and leave alone. If there has been no signs of disturbance to the X or flour after a couple of days then they will need to be rescued. AGING THE RABBIT/HARE: In order to properly care for the baby you have found, it is important to know its age. Consult the chart on the back to assess age. FEEDING: Orphans that have been without their mother will be suffering from chill and dehydration. They must be thoroughly warmed first, and then offered warmed rehydration solution. Pedialyte is a rehydration solution that is available in drug stores- it should be heated to body temperature and offered every couple hours for the first several feedings. Formula should be a powdered esbilac, which is a puppy milk replacer that can be purchased at a vet clinic or pet store. Mix only enough for 24hrs and keep it refrigerated. Cow's milk, human baby formulas, and most pet products (except Esbilac) are not suitable and will likely cause death. Ensure formula is well heated and kept warm throughout the feeding as cold formula will cause diarrhea which can lead to death. Feed with a 1ml oral syringe ensuring that the feeding routine and environment is kept totally quiet. Please do not have more than one person as a caregiver and do not allow the animals to be handled by any other person. See chart for feeding schedule. Once feeding is finished, wash its face well with a damp face cloth, as formula dries quickly and causes fur loss. * Rabbits and hares are slow
and difficult to feed, so take your time and be patient, as it is essential for
them to get the required amount. HOUSING: See chart. RELEASE: Should occur late in afternoon in appropriate area (where there is suitable habitat for either hare or rabbits) and where there would not likely be domestic predators such as dogs or cats. Hares should be at least 300 grams at release and becoming wild and hard to catch. While rabbits, should be around 200 grams and displaying similar behaviour. *In some jurisdictions it is illegal to care for wildlife
and you should consult your government wildlife agency. INTERNET SITES: There is some good information on the Internet, but other sites give advice that will kill the animals you are trying to help please be very careful. www.squirrelrehab.org/rehabinfo/orphaned.html www.rescuedrabbits.org www.squirrelsanctuary.org/ www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/orphan.html |
RABBIT DEVELOPMENT
|
AGE |
WEIGHT |
FEEDING |
STIMULATION |
HOUSING |
SPECIAL CARE |
|
Birth |
20 grams |
2 mls
Formula 4 times per
day. |
- stimulate genital area before and
after feeding to induce
elimination. - use a q-tip or fingertip dipped in hot water |
-keep
indoors in a cardboard box or pet carrier filled with soft, ravel free
blankets. -heating
pad outside the bottom of the box on lowest setting, heavy towel inside
bottom of box to maintain only a slight warmth. If caring for more than one rabbit the heating pad is not
necessary |
- wrap rabbit in a soft blanket when removed from box, to protect from drafts. - watch for signs of diarrhea.
If diarrhea develops, use an unflavoured pedialyte instead of formula
for 24 hours, then gradually reintroduce the formula. |
|
1 week |
40 grams |
3 mls.
Formula 3 times per
day |
- same as above |
-same
as above |
- wrap in blanket or towel
while feeding. |
|
2 weeks |
60 grams |
4-6 mls.
Formula 3 times per
day |
- same as above - may begin to eliminate on its own. If not,
continue as above. |
- same as above |
- same as above |
|
3 weeks |
80 grams |
8 mls. Formula 2 times per
day |
- stimulation should no longer be necesary |
- place rabbits in enclosed plastic cat carrier &
place towel over carrier to protect from light and offer security |
- introduce small dish of
large flake raw oats & a little pile of freshly picked clover - Offer a small dish of
water or drinking bottle |
|
4 weeks |
100 grams |
10 mls.
Formula 1 time per
day - wean fully in 4th week |
|
-the rabbits are becoming
more active and will require more space -find a quiet area of the
house to section off a 4ft x 4ft area, include their carrier in this space |
-should be eating pellets and natural foods like freshly picked clover and small tender dandelion leaves (will keep in plastic bag in fridge for a few days). Make sure they have not been treated with pesticides. Always have a handful of timothy (not alfalfa) hay in cage |
|
5 - 7 weeks |
150 - 200 grams |
weaned |
|
|
- continue weaned diet |
HARE DEVELOPMENT
|
AGE IN WEEKS |
FEEDING |
ELIMINATION |
|
|
0 to 1 wk Birth weight is 65-80 grams, gaining ~9g/day |
4x/day
formula; 3-4 mls |
Stimulate
after each feed may not urinate every time |
|
|
1 to 2 wks |
4x/day
formula; 4-5 mls |
As
above |
|
|
2 to 3 wks |
4x/day
formula; 5-6 mls |
As
above |
|
|
3 to 4 wks |
3x/day
formula (as much as they want. NB -
should be taking at least
6-8mls/feed before reduce from 4x/day feedings to 3x/day feedings) Introduce
large flake raw oats & a small dish of water or drinking bottle |
Stimulation
should no longer be necessary |
|
|
4 to 5 wks |
2x/day
formula (as much as they want. NB should be taking at least 10 mls/feed
before reduce from 3x/day to 2x/day) Continue
raw oats and offer freshly picked small tender dandelion leaves and clover
(no pesticides) and water |
As
above |
|
|
5 to 6 wks |
1x/day
formula should self wean during this week |
As
above |