Rehabilitation of Eastern Cottontail RabbitsSYLVILAGUS FLORIDANUS

Natural History North American Habitat and Distribution

Meadows and shrubby areas in the eastern and south-central United States, southern Canada, eastern Mexico.

Central America and northernmost South America. It is also found on the Caribbean island of Margarita. It is most abundant in Midwest North America.

Natural History Prey species

Herbivore

Crepuscular

Lagamorph (4 upper and 2 lower incisors)

Teeth continuously grow

Scent glands for marking territory (under chin)

Ears aid in thermoregulation

Basal body Temperature 101-103 degrees F

Adult weight 1-5 lbs. (skeletal system 8% body weight)

Lifespan 6 mo-2 yrs (10 in captivity)

Fun Fact!330-degree vision

Natural Defenses Camouflage (freeze) or flee Response

Biting

Kicking with hind legs (can fracture spine)

Some vocalizations

Young can “pop”

Reproduction and Maternal Parenting Sexually mature 4-6 moths old

Mating/birthing season February-October

Average 4-5 litters per year

Average litter size 2-10

Gestation 28-30 days

Kits born without fur (3 in.); eyes and ears closed; no scent

Doe does not remain with nest (survival skill)

Doe protects nest by creating a distraction

Doe feeds 2-3 times/24 hours

Development Birth 20-35g

Can crawl and “pop”

Fully furred at 7 days

Eyes open 7-10 days

Weaned and independent 4-5 weeks

May remain with doe up to 7 weeks

Admittance for RehabilitationYES

-Nest destroyed, kits injured

-Dog or cat caught

-Out of nest/eyes closed (no nest found)

-Out of nest eyes open – Maybe

-Injured

-Dead mother

-Cold

-Wet (flooded nest)

-Firepit

-Leaning/falling over

-Many visible parasites

NO

-Nest discovered and no mother seen

-Nest discovered and removed

-Out of nest eyes open - maybe

Intake -Gather all pertinent information for records and reports

-Conduct visual exam BEFORE physical exam

-Immediately check for body temperature/place with heat source

-Visually evaluate condition

-Visual exam will dictate what comes next:

if cold→→ stimulate to urinate andget on heat source immediately (half on/off)

if blood or injury→→clean and address wound

if warm and emaciated→→feed rehydration solution with a bit of formula (20%-25%)

if stressed→→wrap in linen, heat source, place in quiet, dark, appropriately sized carrier for at least 20 minutes (do not use nest fur)

DO NOT FEED ANYTHING UNTIL WARM AND REHYDRATED

Hygiene and Handling

-Wash hands and wear gloves

-Kits GI tract is benign (sterile)

-Doe’s milk contains immunoglobins

-Handle as little as possible

-Proper handling requires knowledge of specie’s behavior

-both hands, support hind quarters

-Wrap/swaddle in washcloth or other linen

-Top opening containers preferred

Get a Weight

Cottontail kits MUST show daily weight gain

Wound Management -Clean with WARM sterile water (.9% sodium chloride)

-Apply appropriate ointment

Triple antibiotic ointment

Povidone ointment mixed with sterile lubricant

Silvadine

Manuka honey

-After animal is hydrated and fed, administer antibiotic and/or NSAID, if needed

Work with your vet for appropriate choices and dosages

Medication Ailment

Sulfadimethozine (Albon) Coccidia Caution: sulfa drug

Metronidazole (Flagyl) Clostridial Outbreaks; antibacterial

Pen-G (injectable only-SQ) Cat attacks, infection, injury

Meloxicam (Metacam) Pain/inflammation

Enrofloxacin (Baytril) Broad spectrum; does not disrupt rabbit GI; cat bacteria

Trimethaprim Sulfate(SMZ-TMP, Bactrim, Septra)

Aspiration/pneumonia; UTI; E.Coli Caution: sulfa drug

Simethicone Bloat; gas

Metaclopramide Hydrochloride(Reglan)

Gentle laxative properties

Neomycin Sulfate Diarrhea (NS Bacterial enteritis)Caution: sulfa drug

Gentamicin Eye infections

Ponazuril (Marquis) Coccidia ; enteritis

Fenbendazole (Panacur) Intestinal parasites; L.Cuniculi

Selamectin (Revolution) Fleas, mites, ticks, S. mange

Capstar Internal and external parasites

Most commonly used medicationsENROFLOXACIN

oral 5-15 mg/kg. q12 hrs

injectable (22.7%) 2.5mg/kg SID

-can be used orally

MELOXICAM

Pain, fever, inflammation

-Soft tissue injury

-Fewer side effects than other NSAIDs

-Fast acting

-SID, BID, TID

-Oral; shake well

-.1-.3mg/kg q12-24h (1-3 drops .5%)

NEOMYCIN SULFATE

Biosol diluted to 2mg/2ml strength

DOSE: 0.003

ex: 50gx0.003=0.15cc

Stress and Diarrhea YES THERE ARE

REASONSAnd you have control

over most of them

Not enough fat in formula

Formula too hot

Formula too cold

Contaminated formula

Lack of water

Feeding utensils contaminated

Bacterial overgrowth/infection (bloat)

Over feeding

Under feeding

No roughage/fiber in diet

Rough handling

Run out of food

Cage/enclosure too small

Cage/enclosure too big

No heat/too cold

No Fresh air

Nutritional deficiencies

Parasites

Sudden changes

Capture Myopathy

Being alone (age)

Smells

Contaminants

Noises

Temperature change

Singlets It is not advised to raise singlets

Network with other rehabilitators to locate age-appropriate conspecifics

Older kits do not need integrated into a strange litter

Eyes closed Birth to 7-10days -Stimulate for urination upon entry

-Provide supplementary heat (half on/off)

-Keep in smaller, more snug space; use cotton receiving blankets that mimic nest

-Provide cut timothy hay pieces

-

• Offer warm solution• Let animal guide

intake/never force.• Small amounts often• Can be mixed with

formula to provide calories gradually adding:

25%, 50%, 75%, full strength

Oral Rehydration Solutions

Formula and Feeding Fox Valley Animal Nutrition

32/40

UltraBoost

Benebac Mammal Powder

1FV : 3/4 UB : 2 water → 1FV : 2 water

*Good for 48 hours

*Best if prepared ahead of time

*Refrigerate

*Only heat amount that you need for 1 feeding

*Discard unused

Formula and Feeding cont. *Do not microwave

*Spring water can be used

*Heated temperature should reflect doe’s body temperature (101-103 degrees F)

*Do not share feeding utensils with other litters

*Wash hands and sterilize feeding instruments daily

Feeding Amounts Stomach Capacity 10% body weight

Weight in grams X 10% (.1) = amount to feed

Example: 52 gram bunny

52x.1=5.2

Feed 5.2cc

Weigh daily and recalculate amount

Natural history: doe feeds 2-3 times per day

Hand feeding burns more calories, so more calories needed

Handfeeding and no weight gain require 3-4 feedings daily

Feeding Equipment Syringes: slip-tip; leur-lock 1cc, 3cc

Nipples: cannula; grey tip; Miracle Nipple

Hand positioning

Eyes Open Wait 3-4 days before moving to a bigger space, make sure they are eating timothy hay well, and gaining weight daily

Once moved and weight gain is consistent, offer small amount of clover

Can introduce lapping dish, but do not take away hand feeding right away

Continue to stimulate daily

EVERY STEP IS GRADUAL!

Clover

Not all clove is created equal!

White Clover

Cut; do not pull

2-3 Week Old Intakes -Stimulate to urinate

brown coloration normal

-Assume dehydration

offer ElectroStat or other rehydration solution

-Set up cage with hide, timothy hay, clover, lapping dish, and water

-Cover entire cage with a linen except for partial side up against window

-Provide heat source until stable (1/2 on/off)

-Weigh daily until stable

Release

-I go by age, not weight

-Release 4-5 weeks old

-Check upcoming weather conditions

-Acclimation to outdoors prior is important!

-Choose you release site carefully

-Release early evening

Questions?songbird82566@hotmail.com