Wild baby rabbit with non working front legs

[PurpleThistles84]

DH was walking the dog when something caught his eye, closer look and it was a little rabbit flopping about, trying to hop but front legs just don’t seem to work. Back ones do. He ended up bringing it home because he couldn’t leave it, he did try but he is a big softie. Currently ‘Stumpy’ is wrapped in a fleece blanket as he felt really cold and we are waiting for the sspca, but my friend has just said they will probably just put stumpy down. I phoned the vet to ask if it might be something treatable but they just told me to call the sspca. I don’t suppose anyone that has rabbit experience has any idea what might be up with him and if the only option is to put him to sleep?

Poor little mite 😕

Honestly PTS would probably be kindest.

The kindest thing to do would be to PTS.

Either have it put to sleep or return it to where it was found and let nature take it's course.

It is a wild animal. The kindest thing would be to put it to sleep because it will not be able to fend for itself in the wild and to keep it in captivity would be cruel.

It needs an expert to see it.

They can be fragile creatures and get easily bruised from an attack.
An expert can assess if it it permanent or temporary damage.

I know DH should have left it, we moved to the country in October last year and have already had issues with our cat bringing home live baby rabbits. He says to his mind it was kinder to bring it home and it be PTS rather than left to die a probably horrible death outside. It’s so quiet I think it might be on its way out anyways. I will just hold it in the blanket and keep it warm until sspca arrives. Poor wee mite.

Your DH is right - a quick euthanasia is better than the pain and stress of thrashing around until a Fox grabs him.

Oh he's so sweet. I think your DH did the right thing bringing him home. It's better he passes surrounded by warmth love and comfor t than alone and scared. I'm also very spiritual and I do believe your DH found this precious helpless baby for a reason.

Yes pts is the kindest thing x

I'm also very spiritual and I do believe your DH found this precious helpless baby for a reason.

I feel the same as you awwwlookatmybabyspider

I’ve never understood what “I’m very spiritual” actually means.

Tbh it’s probably just as terrified as it would have been if it had been left where it was. It won’t be feeling safe and loved because it’s a wild animal. I suppose it’s warmer though which I guess is something.

Put it somewhere a bit dark while it's in it's blanket. Have you any dandilion leaves or grated carrot?

I know it's probably going to be PTS but i'd hate to think of it being hungry in the mean time :(

Google your local wildlife rescue, ours will take every creature apart from squirrels. Or the vet should put it to sleep without charge.
It was very kind of your husband.

check on your local fb group if there is anyone knows of animal rescue people around. in my area there are several people who take in birds/wildlife for rehab.

We found a baby hare injured last week. I didn’t want to leave it to be pecked to death by magpies so brought it home and then passed it on to a local wildlife rescue. Hope it either had a peaceful end or is doing ok.

The kindest thing to do would be to put it back where you found it. There's no hope for it. It will be feeling a lot more scared in your house than it would have been left where it was. I have picked up young/small injured animals in the past and now realise whilst it might have made me feel better, it isn't always the right thing to do.

It will be covered in fleas too

Wait.

It could just have had a shock like being knocked by something.

A days rest and it might be back to hopping tentatively.

Feed it, keep it warm. An empty pen is good for a few drops of water.

Don't wring it's neck yet. Or have it put to sleep.

I had a cat that got its back knocked by a car - it's back legs were immovable for 24 hours - vet said it was likely bruising.

Lived a further 15 years

I would also give it 36 hours, water, dandelions & a quiet space to see if it recovers. Wild rabbits are high strung & a bit fragile.

I found a very ill rabbit and brought it to our vet who could do nothing for it but put it to sleep. Pity it’s Saturday.

Don't hold it though - it's not a pet - if it's aware it will be terrified not comforted.

Put it somewhere quiet and warm and dry in your house with some dandelion leaves with drops of water on them, away from any pets or cooking / concentration of human smells and noise.

My ds is a chef..
He would think there was a nutritional reason HE had found it...

Windyatthebeach it's quite possible that the paralysis is the result of disease or parasites not an accident/ attack though... I wouldn't eat it...

I may well get flamed for this:

In all likelihood you have a neighbour who can show you how to pts a rabbit very quickly and painlessly. This isn't a one off if your cat is bringing in live baby rabbits and so one of you should learn to do this rather than putting these animals through the stress of being kept indoors, moved to a vets and handled excessively by humans.

I'm sure your husband thought he was doing a nice thing; for the rabbit it isn't.

When we first moved rural dcat kept bringing half dead mice. Naive dh set up a MIU (mouse intensive care unit) with a heat mat and old snake tank!! He was distraught daily by the inevitable deaths!!
Lasted a week then he gave up trying to save them!
And likely because the dc ribbed him so much!
Bless him!!