Wild rabbit rescue :(

[chkltcow]

Today when I got home from work, I was mowing the grass and heard a *THUMP* sound. I saw something run out from under the mower, so I stopped. I apparently ran over two little brown rabbits One seemed to be okay, but scared to death, and the other was having some trouble moving.... but wasn't cut. I picked them up and put them in a 10g aquarium to keep them out of the way, and now I'm not sure what I should do with them. The one is just fine.... the other has moved around a bit, but he's sitting funny, with his legs out to his sides. Is this normal behaviour? How would I be able to tell if he's injured?

And finally, what should I do with these guys? They're TINY. I feel bad putting them back out, especially thinking one is injured. Could they be kept as pets if I found someone willing (or my wife became the willing party?)

Some of you rabbit folks give me some advice here. I'll post pics in just a few minutes.

 

[chkltcow]

 

[MegTheFish]

Awww they are so cute!
That one does look kind of funny with its legs...I hope its ok.
Sorry I'm not much of a help, I've never owned a rabbit before.
Good luck!

 

[rabbitlady]

those bunnies look about 14 days old not much older i raised rabbits for about 5 years.. you need to get a small bottle for milk. then get mothers milk or even kittens milk will do at this age..
see if they will eat some rabbit pellets..
i would go to a farm supply store they sell it by the pound some times.. also some alfalfa hay and some carrets.
the one bunny looks as though his legs may be broken if you just put some hay in that tank and clean it every day it may make it.. most wild bunnies don't do well , but it is worth a try. also put a lamp on them to keep them warm.. hope this helps..be carefull bunnies can be scared to death.. there little hearts don't take much..

 

[Sorrell]

Sorry to contradict rabbitlady...I work for a wild animal rescue and the biggest thing we get with wild bunnies is people bringing in babies that they think need to be with the mother still when really they are fine to be on their own. With the wild's if they are out and about like that they will be fine and even though they are teeny tiny, they are ready. I also wouldn't feed them any kind of pellets etc, until you figure out whether or not they will be able to release again. They un-learn quickly and artificial is not best for wild animals.

Have you tried calling around to vets in your area to see if anyone will look at the little guys legs? That would be my first step. A vet could probably steer you towards a rescue group as well

 

[snowyangel]

Aww the poor little guys. I aggree on seeking a vet, those legs don't look too good.
But i would try giving them water and timothy hay with dandelions for food. My only concern in letting them loose is maybe the weird legged one will easily get eaten by a predator if he can't run, but the healthy one should be released. Keep contact minimal as you dont want them to get into trusting other animals and to be being domestic.
What would be best is if you have an outside cage or fenced in area so they can be outside or so the healthy one can visit the injured one.

 

[Bloo]

Sorry to contradict rabbitlady...I work for a wild animal rescue and the biggest thing we get with wild bunnies is people bringing in babies that they think need to be with the mother still when really they are fine to be on their own. With the wild's if they are out and about like that they will be fine and even though they are teeny tiny, they are ready. I also wouldn't feed them any kind of pellets etc, until you figure out whether or not they will be able to release again. They un-learn quickly and artificial is not best for wild animals.

Have you tried calling around to vets in your area to see if anyone will look at the little guys legs? That would be my first step. A vet could probably steer you towards a rescue group as well 

I thoroughly support what Sorrell says. I used to be a vet nurse and also worked at an animal rescue centre and often dealt with wild animals of all sorts at both of these places. By the way, that bunny with the "odd looking legs" might just be lying down - some of them do tend to lie like that - and especially on a slippery glass tank floor ! However, they do need to be taken to a vets or rescue centre to be checked out. I also do not believe that wild animals should be kept as pets - even if you felt you "rescued" them and they appear cute. These are not domesticated animals and will always remain wild by nature. If at all possible, they should most definitely be released back into nature.

 

[chkltcow]

I also do not believe that wild animals should be kept as pets - even if you felt you "rescued" them and they appear cute.

I hate to tell you, but the fish hobby is built upon catching wild animals and making them pets. That's beside the point though.

Last night I went and got handfulls of grass clippings to put in there with these guys, piled up in the corner. This morning they had both moved over there and were sitting in the grass. I took the dog's little tiny water dish and filled it up and put a paper towel over the edge to wick the water out. The only thing I had around for them to eat were carrots, spinach, and a bit of lettuce... so I put a few pieces in there with them and it looks like they at them.

As for the leg, that one is doing just fine this morning... I can't even tell which one was hurt. I think they just got scared half to death after all. As soon as I can finish breakfast, I'm gonna go check up again, and probably go ahead and release them.

 

[William]

Glad to hear they are doing ok - I was worried the one with the legs splayed may have had a broken back, but if you say he is fine now- then that is a relief!

 

[chkltcow]

Okay.... while listening to Motley Crue's "Home Sweet Home", I took them out and let them out in our front flower garden. They hopped right away like nothing ever happened. That's all I ever wanted in the first place, was to make sure that one wasn't hurt. I'm glad the wife wasn't here to see it or she would have lost it.... and the song just happened to be a coincidence

Tonight tonight
I'm on my way
Just set me free
Home sweet home

 

[boozybears]

Glad to hear they're ok Cowwie!! Poor little bunnies

 

[GSD]

they prob went home to their little homes and family!!!

 

[Sorrell]

How exciting! They got a night at the bunny spa and then on their way again Good on you for making sure everyone was fine

 

[WILDER]

Or there so cute, i've kept rabbits most of my life and they do stick the leg out like that when they lay down, but it could also have injured it in the accident, they need to be with there mother, can you try and find her.