Found a Bunny

[ChickenSarah90]

My fiancé is a plumber and he saw a cage on the side of the road two nights ago with a bunny in it with a piece of paper that said FREE. No, there weren't any houses near the road where the cage was placed so we have no clue if the bunny is sick or why the original owners didn't want it.

I have the bunny in my bathroom in a large tote bin with shavings for litter, there's food, and water (added a little vet RX and vitamins.)
The bunny is obviously malnourished because I can feel all her bones, she has eaten a little but not much, has diarrhea, and she's cold like her body isn't regulating heat.

Idk what to do. My future FIL said he would take it but he breeds bunnies for meat so I'd rather not have that happen since this bunny is very sweet.
We also have no clue what age it is or breed.

I'm assuming all the trauma of being dumped on the side of the road is what's going on but I really have no idea.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Was there food and water in the cage when the bunny was found?

Rabbits guts are delicate. Time without food causes gut stasis which can be deadly.

Pics of bunny?

 

[ChickenSarah90]

Was there food and water in the cage when the bunny was found?

Rabbits guts are delicate. Time without food causes gut stasis which can be deadly.

Pics of bunny?

Unfortunately, no, there wasn't food or water with it.

 

[21hens-incharge]

It doesn't look like a wild type bunny so that's good.

It's possible the people who dumped it weren't feeding it properly. Can you offer it some greens like romaine lettuce (just a very small amount)? Iceberg isn't a good lettuce as it's void of nearly all nutrients so go for one with darker leaves if you have any. It might get at least that into the system which provides a tiny bit of moisture as well as keeping the gut moving.

Is a vet an option?

 

[Maybelline_Goode]

Critical care is a life saver. be sure she gets some hay and veggies into her, other than water, hay is most important part of her diet.

She is probably too scared to hop around right now, but it's important for her health she gets room to hop and play.

 

[ChickenSarah90]

Critical care is a life saver. be sure she gets some hay and veggies into her, other than water, hay is most important part of her diet.

She is probably too scared to hop around right now, but it's important for her health she gets room to hop and play.

I have alfalfa but will need something else for long term.

I have let it outside as I have enclosures for pigs and chickens, Bunny just seems scared and cold but very interested in what a chicken is from a distance.

We are currently building it a hutch so it can he outside in it's own pen.

My other thought is, could it be depressed?

 

[Maybelline_Goode]

I have alfalfa but will need something else for long term.

I have let it outside as I have enclosures for pigs and chickens, Bunny just seems scared and cold but very interested in what a chicken is from a distance.

We are currently building it a hutch so it can he outside in it's own pen.

My other thought is, could it be depressed?

it is possible, bunnies can go into shock very easily. so it is likely still very scared from being outside with no cover, especially if cars were driving by.

It's a good thing you found him

 

[ChickenSarah90]

It doesn't look like a wild type bunny so that's good.

It's possible the people who dumped it weren't feeding it properly. Can you offer it some greens like romaine lettuce (just a very small amount)? Iceberg isn't a good lettuce as it's void of nearly all nutrients so go for one with darker leaves if you have any. It might get at least that into the system which provides a tiny bit of moisture as well as keeping the gut moving.

Is a vet an option?

I can definitely grab some groceries for it.

I'd rather not take the bunny to the vet since it just isn't affordable ATM. I was very upset when he brought this bunny home since he's been bringing home lots of critters since we got pigs (which was the only animals I agreed to)

If the bunny doesn't look well tomorrow I will talk to him about vet care.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Any luck getting it to nibble on anything?
While outside did it eat at all?

I do understand. Vets are expensive and not always in the budget.

 

[ChickenSarah90]

I will definitely be keeping it in the house for a while so I can keep an eye on it.