Hit Wild Rabbit

Question
I hit a wild rabbit going 20mph. It wasn't hit by the tire but barely clipped by the under carriage of my Subaru impreza. Anyway the bunny was still alive and has been for the past hour and a half. It's neck is stiff BUT she can lift it so I don't think it's broken. She lays pretty still for awhile but if I make a sudden move she flips around and can't get back on her feet. I'm not sure what is wrong with her and she is breathing rapidly. Maybe it's a head injury but I don't know how to help. Any ideas on what is going on with her? I still have her right now and I will try and take her to a vet tomorrow morning cause everything is closed now.

Answer
Hi Brittany,

I hate to be the bearer of bad news....but most likely that rabbit will not survive.  Rabbits have a mechanism to basically shut themselves down during stressful situations.....and this is certainly a stressful event.  However, since I am a wildlife rehabber, we have had some that fight hard to live and I give them every chance.  I just recently released one that came in paralyzed.

Most likely it has suffered a head injury and most likely a spinal trauma....and I wouldn't rule out some internal issues.  The spine in a rabbit is quite fragile since it's such a small part of the body and the muscles are so much stronger.  If a rabbit kicks with the back legs unopposed, it often results in some degree of damage to the spine.

As far as taking it to a vet, most vets have no idea how to treat rabbits much less wild rabbits.  It is also illegal in all states for you to have that animal.  Every state (except ND if I remember correctly) has permit requirements that are needed to hold and treat wildlife.  There are many legitimate reasons for this.  It's not intended to prevent someone from helping an injured animal...but many of the wildlife species carries diseases that you don't normally come in contact with....the chances of that in a rabbit are quite remote.  But licensed rehabbers have also been trained to deal with this.  Here is a link to find a rehabilitator in your state.

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm

If you can find a vet to treat this rabbit....I respond to head and spinal injuries by sedating with valium.  I use NSAIDs to help with any swelling.  If there is a lot of pain, I use Burpenorphine.  Your vet should know the clinical signs of head trauma.  In most cases, a rabbit will present nystagmus...aka ""roving eye syndrome".  Sedating with the valium will help with this and take the edge of stress off the event.  If the spine is damaged, it most likely will be at L7 in the trans-lumbar region....your vet will understand that.  If your vet doesn't know correct dosing for drugs, he/she should be able to access that info on the "VIN".  

This type of injury should be in the hands of a highly skilled rabbit savvy vet or a very high end rehabber.  This is a serious injury and as much as I hate to say it, based on my years of experience with cottontails, I suspect the prognosis to be poor.  Good luck.

Randy