Eastern Cottontail Rabbit Survives Being Burned

This story was shared by licensed wildlife rehabilitator Deanna Epps of Waxhaw, North Carolina.

I received four, eyes-closed Eastern cottontails that were nested under a wood pile. Not knowing there were rabbits inside, a man poured gasoline over the wood pile and lit it on fire. One bunny ran out and died. The man immediately doused the fire and brought me the last four bunnies.

All of them were singed, and three of them died within 24 hours.

The last one that lived came in at 54 grams (about 2 ounces). His ears were burned around the edges and down his back, with a small, open wound by his tail that was burned as well.

I treated the rabbit with subcutaneous fluids, pain meds, wound care, and five days of feeding EmerAid Herbivore. Then, over the next few days, gradually switching to regular formula.

This bunny did very well and healed very quickly. He was released 24 days later at 140 grams (almost 5 ounces).