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Front paw injured

22 11:20:27

Question
We had found a rabbits nest in our front yard with only one living rabbit nad have been nursing for the past two weeks. It was doing very well and when we took it out to feed, it jumped and hurt its front left paw. We are sick over the fact that we played a role in the bunny getting hurt but is there anything that could be done to help the little thing or should we just leave it up to nature at this point. It is probably only 4 or 5 weeks old, we found it and it had not yet even opened it's eyes.

Answer
Dear Brett,

If the bunny has not yet opened its eyes, it is far younger than 4-5 weeks, and probably more like 2 weeks of age.  But if you *know* the bunny is 4-5 weeks old and it still hasn't opened its eyes, then get him to a good rabbit vet immediately for help in getting the eyes open.  If the eyes are not exposed to light and movement during the critical developmental stages when the eyes normally open (usually between 2-3 weeks of age), permanent blindness can result.

DO NOT rush things if the baby is younger than you say, and if you're not sure.  But if you are very sure this baby is several weeks old, it's time for a vet to intervene.

Without seeing and examining the bunny, I can't tell if the leg is broken or just bruised.  This, too, should be checked by a good rabbit vet.  In many cases, if the leg is not badly broken and there is good blood supply, the leg can simply be splinted for support, and it will heal well on its own.  Babies repair themselves remarkably quickly, given th  e proper supportive care!  But only a good vet will be able to assess the extent of the injury.  You can find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Here is some information on caring for orphaned baby rabbits:

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

Good luck,

Dana