Pirate - GRAPHIC

WARNING: Graphic Pictures! Pirate and many others were rescued off the streets of New Egypt this summer after rabbits had been dumped, and they began breeding. Kind Heart was contacted, and we jumped in to rescue them...before the 20-or-so that were there, became 50+. LItters were being born under various sheds in the neighborhood. At about 3-weeks-old, and when the babies started popping out from under the shed, things went into high gear. Nearly every day, another baby or adult was caught by the Kind Heart Corral Crew or closely monitored humane traps. Before we knew it, we had taken in over 20 rabbits from the area, but finally got what we hope is all of them. But, now to Pirate. There are people who have told us they enjoy seeing the rabbits run around the neighborhood. But, they're not really thinking it through, because domestic rabbits are ill-equipped to survive on their own like a Cottontail can. This is the case with Pirate. As we were corralling one day, a resident said she liked seeing Pirate run around her yard. But, before long reality smacked her right in the face, and she called Kind Heart and asked us to "come get her because something was wrong with her eye and was barely moving." Others had been hit by cars, taken by hawks, and killed by neighborhood dogs. We went right over and got her. She was skin and bones and had a gnarly bite right over her eye. Our biggest fear was that Pirate’s eye was damaged beyond repair and that she would need it removed. We were afraid she wouldn't even make it... Edinburg Animal Hospital was kind enough to fit Pirate in for an emergency triage appointment and we started Pirate’s care. Shortly after the first vet visit, Pirate went back to Edinburg for a recheck. The great news was that the antibiotics, pain meds, and eye washes were keeping Pirate comfortable and keeping the infection under control. However, Dr Fanders did find an invader! A botfly had taken residence under the lid of Pirate's eye. Botfly larvae are parasites that can invade wounds and feed on necrotic tissue. Obviously, these can cause BIG issues for rabbits so removing it was the first priority. Thankfully, Dr Fanders and her team were able to safely remove it and re-clean the wound and eye socket. At that point, Pirate still had a long way to go, as a second bot larvae popped out under her chin and we had that one removed. We are delighted that with treatment, we were able to save Pirate's eye and her vision. You'll see in two pics how her eye looked before and during treatment. In one pic, the thing that looks like a turd is the larvae that was pulled from her eye! Can you imagine that in YOUR eye? Then in a few pics, as she is getting better. At this point, all she needs to be beautiful is the fur to grow back that had to be shaved by Dr. Fanders as she removed the larvae. Sidebar to this...as we took in more and more of these babies many of them had bot larvae that had to be taken care of by our vet. Many trips to the vet. Many bunnies that went through Hell because someone dumped their parents. That is so very cruel and heartless. Oh, about Pirate's personality. You would think that after all she has been through; near dead, "poked and prodded" at the vet time and time again, all the things I had to do to her as part of her treatment she would be fearful of people, but she still gives and craves love. She loves me. She knows she was saved. She knows I nursed her back to health. You should expect "the third degree" if you want to adopt her. She is quite special to me and it will be difficult to let her go.... $200 adoption fee includes Pirate (will be spayed and vaxxed at my vet), a playpen, litter box, bowls, hay, and pellets.