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cat injured baby rabbit

22 11:18:42

Question
I know it is bad news when a cat gets a hold of a young rabbit.
However the young rabbit (7 inches long) that I took from my cat is
superficially wounded - scratched with hair loss, and seems pretty
strong. How can I take care of his wounds? I will later release. I
would appreciate this answer as I find small injured animals from
time to time.
Thank you so much

Answer
Dear Cindy,

It's recommended that any bunny who is scratched or bitten by a cat be put on a fluoroquinolone antibiotic immediately (Baytril (enrofloxacin), ciprofloxacin, marbofloxacin, etc.) because of the very high risk of systemic infection by Pasteurella multocida.  Almost all cats have this potentially very dangerous bacterium on their claws and in their mouths, and if it is injected into a bunny (or other animal), the potential for systemic, fatal infection is quite high.

At least wash the wounds *very* well with dilute povidone iodine (Betadine) solution:  about 4 tablespoons Betadine to 1/4 cup lukewarm, clean water.

You can read more about how to safely care for rescued wild cottontail babies here:

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

I hope this helps.

Dana