Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Eastern Cottontail

Warning: This story describes inappropriate and illegal care provided by a well-intentioned finder and may be disturbing to some readers.

We are not sharing this case to shame the finder or to call out anyone who has attempted to help wildlife. Our hope is that by sharing this story, others may better understand the risks of providing care without proper training and licensure, and feel empowered to seek professional help quickly when wildlife is in need.

This adult Eastern cottontail arrived at our hospital after spending 11 days in the care of a finder.

Upon admission, she was quiet, unable to stand, and profoundly weak in her hind limbs.

She was immediately sedated so our veterinary team could perform a thorough evaluation.

During that exam, we found that she was severely emaciated and had macerated genital tissue, likely the result of self-mutilation caused by prolonged stress and pain.

Radiographs confirmed a complete spinal fracture in the lumbar region, just in front of the pelvis.

Adult rabbits, both wild and domestic, are especially vulnerable to lower back fractures. Their skeletons are lightweight, while their hind legs are heavily muscled and capable of powerful kicks.

When a rabbit struggles while being restrained or handled, the force can fracture the spine.

When these fractures are significantly displaced, the prognosis is grave. Rabbits suffer paralysis, loss of bladder and bowel control, and severe pain. In cases like this, humane euthanasia is the only compassionate option.

This rabbit endured 11 days before we were able to provide relief.

The finder explained that she was unable to locate a rehabilitator willing to take the rabbit and did not initially know our Center existed.

With advice from another individual and experience in the human medical field, she attempted to provide treatment herself. She administered Meloxicam, Gabapentin, and Enrofloxacin, along with a daily probiotic, Gas-X, and animal-grade CBD oil applied to the ear. She also syringe-fed the rabbit four times daily and provided twice-daily baths to clean the hind end.

While these actions were well-intentioned, they were inappropriate and in some cases illegal.

Gabapentin is a controlled substance in Virginia and may only be prescribed by a veterinarian for a specific patient. Enrofloxacin, commonly known as Baytril, is prohibited for use in huntable species such as cottontails under FARAD, the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank overseen by the USDA. Because this medication was administered, the rabbit would have been legally non-releasable even if she had recovered.

Further diagnostics revealed severe anemia, dehydration, and profoundly abnormal blood plasma. Healthy plasma is typically clear or straw-colored. This rabbit’s plasma was deep red. In rabbits, this finding is most consistent with capture myopathy, a life-threatening condition that occurs when a wild animal experiences extreme stress or prolonged physical exertion.

By the time this patient reached us, her body was shutting down. Even if the spinal fracture had not been present, the severity of her bloodwork indicated kidney failure. Euthanasia was the only humane course of action.

Cases like this are exactly why licensed wildlife hospitals exist. Wild animals require species-specific medical knowledge, legal medication oversight, appropriate pain management, rapid diagnostics, and minimal handling protocols. Without these, suffering is often prolonged rather than relieved.

We are grateful that the finder ultimately brought this rabbit to us so we could end her pain. The instinct to help is a good one. The most important step is ensuring that help is immediate, legal, and provided by licensed professionals.

If you find wildlife in need, please contact a licensed rehabilitator as quickly as possible. If you are struggling to locate one in your area, reach out to local animal control or larger centers like ours so we can help connect you to appropriate resources. Please do not attempt to feed, medicate, or bathe wild animals on your own. Acting quickly and appropriately gives them their best chance.

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