Has a dog bitten your baby bunny, and are you wondering if it can survive?
One of the constant threats to baby bunnies is aggressive attacks from dogs. When attacked by a dog and eventually bitten, a baby bunny’s chances of surviving the dog bite are slim.
In this article, we will discuss the chances of survival of a baby bunny that a dog has bitten and the effects that could follow.
Can a Baby Bunny Survive a Dog Bite?
It could be possible for a baby bunny to survive a dog bite.
Still, it depends on the severity of the dog bite and the extent of damage or injury inflicted on the kit, and how quickly it receives medical attention.
As natural predators of rabbits, dogs are very dangerous to baby bunnies, and their bites can inflict severe injuries to the rabbit, which may eventually lead to the rabbit’s death.
Their bites can cause injuries such as deep lacerations, puncture wounds, broken bones, and internal injuries which can be fatal to small animals like kits.
If the bite is not too severe and does not inflict life-threatening injuries, and the bunny receives immediate medical attention from a veterinarian, it could survive.
However, even with medical attention, baby bunnies still risk getting infected by dog bites, so monitor the bunny’s health closely and strictly abide by the instructions prescribed by the veterinarian.
Therefore, while a baby bunny may be able to survive a dog’s bite, the chances of doing so are very slim, and the baby bunny is more likely to die from the bite afterward.
First Aid Steps To Take When a Dog has bitten a Baby Rabbit
If a dog has bitten your baby rabbit, we advise you to seek veterinary care immediately.
Dog bites can be severe and cause injuries, including puncture wounds, broken bones, and internal injuries.
While waiting for veterinary care, there are a few first-aid measures that you can take to help the baby rabbit:
1. Clean the Wound
Use a clean, damp cloth to gently clean the wound and remove any dirt or debris. Avoid using disinfectants or ointments, as these can harm rabbits.
2. Stop Any Bleeding
If the wound is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze to help stop the bleeding.
3. Keep The Rabbit Warm And Comfortable
Place the baby rabbit in a warm, quiet, and comfortable area away from other animals or potential stressors.
You can use a heating pad or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel to help keep the rabbit warm but monitor the temperature carefully to avoid overheating.
4. Offer Water and Food
Offer the baby rabbit fresh water and a small amount of hay or a small piece of carrot or apple to help keep them hydrated and nourished.
Please note these are mere first-aid measures and not a direct substitute for proper medical care. So you should endeavor to take your bunny for an appropriate examination by a vet.
Effects of Dog Bite on a Baby Bunny
A dog bite can affect kits, ranging from minor puncture wounds to internal injuries.
There is also the risk of getting infections like rabies from the dog’s mouth. In addition, dog bites and other dog attacks could traumatize the baby bunny.
A dog bite could cause the baby bunny to become emotionally distressed, which can trigger fear, anxiety, and other behavioral issues for the baby bunny.
Some of the effects of dog bites on a baby bunny include:
1. Wounds
Dog bites can inflict a variety of wounds on a baby bunny.
These include scratches, puncture wounds, lacerations, crush injuries, and probably tearing of a body part.
Wounds are one of the common effects of dog bites and other attacks on kits. They could prove to be lethal.
The wounds could get infected, which could, in severe cases, lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition for rabbits.
2. Broken Bones
Dogs are canines with powerful teeth that are capable of breaking bones.
On the other hand, rabbits are very fragile, and their young ones are even more fragile and have bones that can easily be broken.
A dog’s bite is very likely to cause fractures in the body of a baby bunny, which can be excruciatingly painful for that rabbit and could also limit its ability to move about.
3. Internal Injuries
This is one of the most lethal effects of dog bites on all rabbits, including kits.
A dog’s bite can result in internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding, which may prove fatal to the kit.
A baby bunny suffering from internal injuries from a dog’s bite has little chance of surviving as death may quickly follow from internal blood loss.
4. Emotional Trauma
Because rabbits are susceptible and emotional animals, an attack from a predator such as a dog can traumatize them psychologically.
Although the baby bunny may survive, it may be left with psychological trauma that can affect its behavior.
5. Shock
The trauma from an attack by a dog can cause a baby bunny to go into shock, and if not adequately dealt with immediately, the rabbit could die from it.
Can a Rabbit Die From a Broken Leg
Yes, a rabbit can die from a broken leg, especially if the injury is untreated or doesn’t receive proper veterinary care.
Broken bones in rabbits can be severe and may lead to various complications, including internal bleeding, infection, and shock.
Rabbits are also prone to developing pressure sores if they cannot move around or receive proper care.
If a rabbit has a suspected broken leg, please seek veterinary care immediately. The injury may worsen if a rabbit cannot receive proper veterinary care, leading to severe complications, including death.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions.
What To Do If Dog Kills Baby Bunny?
If your dog kills a baby rabbit, you should first ensure that your dog is safe and has not sustained any injuries.
Check your dog for scratches or bites, as rabbits can carry diseases that can be transmitted to dogs.
Next, safely dispose of the baby rabbit.
If it’s a wild rabbit, you might contact local animal control or wildlife rescue to inform them and ask for guidance on proper disposal.
You might need to contact your vet for advice if it’s a domesticated rabbit.
How Do I Protect My Baby Rabbit From My Dog?
Keeping a baby rabbit in separate areas is best to protect it from your dog.
Never leave your dog alone with the rabbit, especially if your dog has not been adequately trained to be gentle with smaller animals.
Keeping your rabbit in a secure, enclosed area that your dog cannot access would be best.
This might be a rabbit pen or cage kept in a separate room.
Conclusion
It is consoling to know that even though the chances are slim, a baby bunny could survive a dog bite if given immediate medical attention.
Prompt treatment can help minimize the risk of infection and death and alleviate pain and other symptoms.
To be safer, keep your rabbits, especially the young ones, as far as possible from dogs.
We hope this article helped you know if baby rabbits can survive dog bites and what to do as first aid to help relieve pain and increase their chances of living.
If you have any questions, comment below, and we will answer them.
Resources
1. Morgan M, Palmer J. Dog bites. BMJ. 2007 Feb 24;334(7590):413-7. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.39105.659919.BE. PMID: 17322257; PMCID: PMC1804160.
2. A. G. Bradbury, G. J. E. Dickens. Wiley Online Library. Appropriate handling of pet rabbits: a literature review. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.12549
