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