Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
Hey everyone! This has absolutely nothing to do with bp, but I need some advice :)
I was woken up around 4am this morning by a strange sound coming from outside. It kind of sounded like a dogs squeaky toy, but I ignored it at first. Then my dog started getting all worked up, so I went out to check. I couldn't find the source, so I went back inside. The noise continued for several hours, but I figured it was one of the squirrels nesting in my attic. Then, around 7:30, the noise became much louder and panicky. I glanced out the window and saw my neighbors cat stalking something in the grass. Now, I know that I probably shouldn't have interfered, it's the natural order of things, yada yada, but I flew outside, chased the cat away and found a baby bunny cowering in the grass. He didn't try to run (normal behavior in a young rabbit), but actually hopped closer to my legs and tried to burrow into my pj's (not normal behavior).
I looked for his nest, but couldn't find it. He has a scratch on his nose from the cat, but seemed otherwise unharmed. Normally, I would've left him outside. He looks nearly old enough to fend for himself, but a few things had me bringing him inside. A) the cat B) we were expecting and did get a massive thunderstorm and a baby rabbit can drown in that if he can't find shelter, and C) he had been crying for hours. I'm assuming he probably wandered away from his nest while mom was away, but got hopelessly lost. Something must have prevented his mom from returning this morning to collect him.
So, now I have a bunny. I have no idea how to care for one properly and wanted to know if I'm taking the right actions. I put him in a box lined with a towel and grass and put it all on top of a heating pad. I gave him some wild strawberries from the yard (two of which he did eat) and a very shallow bowl of water. He's secluded in my closet (my clothes will help muffle noise from the house) and seems ok for now.
I do not plan on keeping him. He's a wild rabbit and belongs outside, but how do I know that he's old enough to be released? I would put him outside at dusk to see if his mom would return for him, but we're expecting more thunderstorms tonight. Should I just hold onto him until tomorrow night when the weather clears? Is there anything I can do to make him more comfortable?
I was woken up around 4am this morning by a strange sound coming from outside. It kind of sounded like a dogs squeaky toy, but I ignored it at first. Then my dog started getting all worked up, so I went out to check. I couldn't find the source, so I went back inside. The noise continued for several hours, but I figured it was one of the squirrels nesting in my attic. Then, around 7:30, the noise became much louder and panicky. I glanced out the window and saw my neighbors cat stalking something in the grass. Now, I know that I probably shouldn't have interfered, it's the natural order of things, yada yada, but I flew outside, chased the cat away and found a baby bunny cowering in the grass. He didn't try to run (normal behavior in a young rabbit), but actually hopped closer to my legs and tried to burrow into my pj's (not normal behavior).
I looked for his nest, but couldn't find it. He has a scratch on his nose from the cat, but seemed otherwise unharmed. Normally, I would've left him outside. He looks nearly old enough to fend for himself, but a few things had me bringing him inside. A) the cat B) we were expecting and did get a massive thunderstorm and a baby rabbit can drown in that if he can't find shelter, and C) he had been crying for hours. I'm assuming he probably wandered away from his nest while mom was away, but got hopelessly lost. Something must have prevented his mom from returning this morning to collect him.
So, now I have a bunny. I have no idea how to care for one properly and wanted to know if I'm taking the right actions. I put him in a box lined with a towel and grass and put it all on top of a heating pad. I gave him some wild strawberries from the yard (two of which he did eat) and a very shallow bowl of water. He's secluded in my closet (my clothes will help muffle noise from the house) and seems ok for now.
I do not plan on keeping him. He's a wild rabbit and belongs outside, but how do I know that he's old enough to be released? I would put him outside at dusk to see if his mom would return for him, but we're expecting more thunderstorms tonight. Should I just hold onto him until tomorrow night when the weather clears? Is there anything I can do to make him more comfortable?
First of all, I suggest getting a cat cage. They tend to have slide out bottoms, so you can catch any droppings and/or hay. Also, rabbits will box-train, so make him/her (may take a while before gonads are visible) a littler box. Also, rabbits have a terrible habit of chewing on electrical cords, and this you DO NOT want...
FOOD - go to a feed store and get rabbit pellets. you can feed them in a shallow bowl, and the great thing about the cage is that you can put lettuce, celery and hay on top of the cage and the rabbit can stretch and reach it and eat it from the top. Granted, its a baby, but bunny shouldn't need a heating pad anymore.
VET - your bunny will have to go to the vet. Petco sells great cardboard pet-carriers that fold flat, and you need to make an appointment for your bunny. Bunny will need some shots, and a vet can give you a good guess at age, and let you know if bunny is so young that it needs milk replacer, which they sell.
Also, get a cow hoof at a feed store (they'll know what you mean) for your bunny to hone its teeth on. Otherwise, the teeth will grow longer than they should and will have to be clipped. It isn't painful to them, but its painful to watch...
And just like any other rodent, you can get a clip-on water bottle for the cage and your bunny will learn quickly how to drink from it. They are quite smart and you will be able to teach it some simple tricks. You may also want to get a halter/harness and leash, so that you can walk it through your yard/other grassy area.
As you know by now, bunny poop is tiny, cute little pellets, with very little odor. But the urine can be STRONG. Be sure to keep the box clean, I prefer a clumping littler, its just easier. I've had several rabbits over the years, though never more than one at a time. They can be wonderful, little pets!
Nature V. Nurture - I've never had a "wild" rabbit. But, as rabbits are herbivores, and even domesticated ones can bite, its not like there are any hard and fast rules. Obviously, don't do anything thoughtless. Treat it well and you should have a happy pet for a good 5 years or more.
Happy Bunny Flop - Now, when a rabbit is VERY happy, it will FLOP over on its side, and appear to have a heart attack. It isn't dead, just give it a few minutes and the bunny will right itself and go about its business.
Message me with any other questions and I'll answer anything I can!