dying baby bunny :(

Question
The temperature reached into the hundreds today, and we have a very small rabbit living in our front yard. We found it motionless in the garden today with no signs of struggle or attack. When my dad went to bury it, he decided to wet down it's body with a little bit of cold water to maybe revive it.The rabbit now is lying motionless, but with it's eyes open. We think there still may be hope, but we would be sad to lose him. He is now under a light rag that has been wet with cold water and placed under a shady tree. Is there anything more we can do?? We've watched this poor baby since birth.. Thank you for your time, it's much appreciated.

Answer
Dear Lauren,

What a lucky break for the poor bunny that you thought to wet him down!  You are doing all the right things, and I hope he will survive.  He probably suffered heat stroke, and it's anyone's guess as to whether he will survive--but you are doing the best you can at this point.

Please try to contact a good rabbit vet:

www.rabbit.org/vets

and ask for help via subcutaneous fluid therapy, which will also help cool him down.  A little bit of ice on the wet cloth will help cool him even more, though of course you don't want to overdo.  I'm not sure if he's big enough for taking a temperature, but you could try with the instructions here:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sickbun.html

Normal is 101-103 Farenheit.

If the bunny is still aware but motionless by dusk, he might be safer for just one night if you brought him inside and kept him in a quiet, cool place.  No food but fresh grass from where he's been eating already, and just fresh water in a bowl.  Fresh grass hay would also be safe.

Be sure the box is covered loosely with a towel or other breathable top, since he may jump out if he starts to feel better, and you don't want a scared, stressed little bunny loose in your house. They can get into the tiniest places!

If he's still groggy, leaving him outside overnight would make him easy prey for an opossum or raccoon or other passing predator. So though I usually don't advocate bringing wild babies inside, this would be the one exception.  Just don't try to feed him anything fancy, especially in his condition.

I hope this helps, and that he'll be hopping and healthy soon!  Bless you for trying to help him.

Dana