Fellow Mortals--Compassion Changes Everything

In early November we received a call from a man who had been keeping a cottontail rabbit in a box outside for two days after he found it unable to do more than pull itself along by its front paws.

Carl hadn't called a wildlife rehabilitator before, so he didn't know that the sooner an injured animal gets help, the better its chance of recovery and release.

When I opened the box, I found a young rabbit, maybe 8 weeks old, with compound (open) fractures of both back legs.  There was blood in the box and on the fur.  It wasn't a good scenario.

Open fractures need to be attended to quickly, as contamination of the wound and bone death come rapidly.  I was almost certain nothing could be done, but the rabbit's bright little eyes were still round and alert, so I decided to take an x-ray before assuming the worst.

Sure enough, the x-ray showed two badly fractured hind legs.  There was nothing we could do through splinting.  If this little rabbit was to heal, he would need surgery.

I reached out to Dr. Scot, our consulting veterinarian and a respected orthopedic surgeon for domestic pets.  In fact, Dr. Scot's surgeries easily run into the thousands of dollars for a repair of one fracture--let alone two, and yet he donates all of his time and material to do those same kinds of surgeries on wild patients!

Within 15 minutes, he texted to say he'd come to our hospital and do the surgery to place pins in both legs!  I was so glad I hadn't assumed that the little bunny's injuries were fatal, and so I did a quick wound wash and bandaging and started the bunny on medicine for infection and pain.

The next day Dr. Scot performed surgery and the little rabbit woke up well from anesthesia and was enjoying his salad later that evening.

Six weeks later, the pins were removed and the bunny was three times as big as when he arrived and his legs have healed well.

The little rabbit will enjoy Christmas with us and spend the winter in a safe place while he continues to grow and get stronger for release in the spring. 

We are so grateful for the gifts of veterinary support and financial support that make stories like this possible.  Every little life entrusted to us teaches us more about how to help the next one. 

Thank you for supporting our work throughout the year.  Best wishes to you for the next!