wild rabbit w/sores

Question
I've got a wild rabbit (about 3mos old) that has recently developed sores on it's ears, feet and a large one on it's chest. Although wild, it waits at the door for me to bring it cracked corn (which I feed to the wild ducks) and it will occasionally chase a ball. It will sit close to me when it eats although I've never tried to touch it (nor won't). These sores don't seem to bother her but are looking kind of nasty. Anything I can do to treat the yard maybe?

Answer
Dear Tami,

Since I can't see the sores/lesions, I'm going to have to make a guess at what's causing them, and that's always a little dicey.  They could be from mange, they could be botfly warbles, or they could just be wounds inflicted by other rabbits (or--I hope not!--a cat or other predator).

If the bunny lets you get close, then you might try getting some Revolution (selamectin) from a good rabbit vet:

www.rabbit.org/vets

and, while giving bun a little treat with one hand, applying 6-8 drops to the back of the neck with the other.  This sounds as if it could be mange--but another possibility is Cuterebara, or botfly larvae.  If this is the case, the Revoltion may help.

If the bunny is a male, it's possible he's just now reaching puberty and is starting to fight with other males.  Cottontails are *ferocious* fighters, and we're always patching them up. :(  

If you suspect this was the work of a cat, then the bun might need veterinary help with fluoroquinolone antibiotics to prevent systemic infection.  If you feel that the wounds require more than just long-distance care, I can help you with ideas on how to gently capture and restrain the bunny without stressing him too much, so you can get him to a vet willing to help.

I hope he'll be fine.

Take care,

Dana