Animal Care Associates, Inc
840 Oakwood Road
Charleston, WV 25314
304-344-2244

Care of Orphaned Bunnies

Trying to raise 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 her 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). Two alternative formulas are included below. 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 warm water-soaked cottonball to stimulate defecation and urination. Aspiration pneumonia, hypothermia and diarrhea are frequent consequences of hand-feeding orphaned bunnies.
 
 

MILK FORMULAS FOR ORPHANED BUNNIES

1 egg yolk
8 oz (240cc) canned evaporated milk 8 oz (240cc) bottle water 1 teaspoon (5cc) honey
1 teaspoon (5cc) pediatric vitamin/mineral supplement

or

1 can Esbilac (Borden)
1 raw egg (white and yolk)
1 tablespoon (15cc) Neocalglucon (Sandoz Pharmaceuticals) or similar liquid calcium supplement

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