wild baby bunny injured by cat

Question
I found a baby rabbit with it's back leg bleeding because it was attacked by my cat.  What should I do?  It is very small.  It looks about 3 weeks old, maybe.

Answer
Dear Jessica,

This article will explain how to care for the baby:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/wildbabies.pdf

But if you can get him to a wildlife rehabilitator, that will be his best chance for survival.  You can find one here:

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


It is vital that any baby injured by a cat be given Baytril (enrofloxacin) or ciprofloxacin as soon as possible after injury--preferably within 12 hours.  This is because cat mouths are full of Pasteurella bacteria, which can cause fatal systemic infection, especially in a baby whose immune system isn't yet up and running.

You can find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

who I hope will be able to help with the injury and prescribe appropriate antibiotics.

I hope this helps.  Good luck with the baby!

Dana