How to Stimulate a Newborn Bunny's Breathing

The first rule of resuscitation is ABC: airway, breathing, circulation -- whether the patient is a human or an animal. If a newborn rabbit does not begin to breathe immediately, and the mother does not attend to it by licking -- or if she does, and it still does not breathe -- the baby may need human help. Check for a heartbeat by feeling just behind the elbow of the foreleg. If the heart is beating, resuscitation may be effective.

Things You'll Need

  • Clean cloths or towels
  • Cotton swabs
  • Cotton balls
  • Suction bulb
  • Hot water bottle
  • Warm water
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Instructions

  1. Airway

    • 1

      Pick up the baby rabbit in a clean cloth or towel.

    • 2

      Remove any amniotic sac from the baby's face.

    • 3

      Use a dry or wet clean cloth or a cotton swab to clear any mucus from the baby's mouth and nostrils.

    • 4

      Hold it with its head lower than its body to let gravity help clear any birth fluids from the airway. Do not swing the baby around to use centrifugal force for this, as it may cause brain damage.

    • 5

      Suction the mouth and throat with the bulb to remove obstructions.

    Breathing

    • 6

      Lay the baby on its back and use one finger to press gently on the chest to expel fluids.

    • 7

      Suction again, if bubbles appear at the mouth or nose.

    • 8

      Wrap the towel around the baby and rub the towel lightly, but briskly against its skin.

    • 9

      Try CPR by putting your mouth over the baby's nose and mouth and puffing tiny amounts of air into its airway. Do this very gently, so as to expand the lungs, but not rupture them.

    Circulation

    • 10

      Continue to rub the baby to stimulate circulation and respiration.

    • 11

      Check the bunny's skin to be sure it is pink -- this indicates good blood flow.

    • 12

      Pause resuscitation efforts every minute or so, to check for heartbeat and independent breathing. Repeat airway clearing and breathing support as long as a heartbeat continues.

    • 13

      Immerse the baby's body in warm water if it feels cold, but be sure to keep its head above water. Then dry it carefully.