Bald patch

[Rufus]

 Today I noticed that Rufus had a bald patch on one of his front legs. On closer inspection it is completely clean, no redness or anything and it didn’t bother him when I was poking around so it mustn’t be sore. I haven’t seen him scratching it or licking it or anything. I wondered if it could be from when he was neutered two weeks ago? But he had a drip in his ear and I hadn’t noticed it before. My other thought was that he might have chewed his fur out this morning? He was very frustrated this morning because I had fractured my hand and couldn’t pick him up until I got it splinted and so he could see me but I wasn’t picking him up. He went a bit crazy and trashed his litterbox and pellet dish (Spoiled brat). Has anyone seen anything like this before? Do you think I need to take him to the vet or just keep an eye on it?

[LongEaredLions]

Is it where they put an IV from the neutering?

[Rufus]

It could be, that was my first thought. They put fluids in through a vein in his ear but would they have had a second IV in his leg for the anaesthetic? It’s just weird I didn’t notice before but he is very fluffy so it’s quite hard to see. He certainly doesn’t seem bothered by it.

[manic_muncher]

From what I’ve read, Isoflurane is what they typically use for rabbit anesthesia, which is a gas. They may have taken a blood sample from his leg though. I know when I worked at a vet hospital (we didnt see many exotics) but whenever they were taking blood or giving an injection directly to the vein, they would make a bandaid out of a cotton ball and strap it in place with a piece of masking tape. When we’d remove it, it often pulled a lot of hair. With a few of the cats, it sometimes would pull a patch of hair off with it, leaving a small bald spot. Though I can’t imagine you not noticing that before now.

[Muffinluv]

Sometimes vets shave a limb so they can attach a monitor to it. After all, It’s better to know whats going on in a rabbit while doing a surgery than shrug and say “It will probably be okayz!”

So I wouldn’t worry to much
Congrats on A Successful Neuter!

[Rufus]

Thanks Muffinluv! I think you’re right, it’s just strange that I missed it given how horribly paranoid I was in the couple of days after his neutering. So happy it’s all over and he’s all recovered and content!

[jerseygirl]

Did he have calici shot done at the time also?

[Rufus]

I don’t think so. At least, they never mentioned it and didn’t charge me so I’m sure they didn’t. I was thinking I will get one soon though, at least in time for summer. I live in a pretty bad spot for mosquitoes right now, but I’m hoping to move soon.

[jerseygirl]

Oh ok. I only ask because they sometimes get a skin reaction from
it. At the injection site or often at the leg if the vaccine pools there.

Do you see if his fur has started growing at this spot yet? It shouldn’t take long to happen if it was just normal fur loss.

[Rufus]

It doesn’t really look like it is growing back yet. Which is funny because where he got shaved for his Neuter is now completely fluffy again. Would the hair on his front leg grow slower because it’s shorter? It’s very precise and square which makes me think it must be from the neuter. I might call the vet and ask.

[Rufus]

I just called the vet and she said it was them that shaved it. They were going to put the IV in there but then thought he would do better with it in his ear. She apologised for forgetting to tell me. I’m relieved! This bunny is turning me into a crazy paranoid person!

[LittlePuffyTail]

This bunny is turning me into a crazy paranoid person!

Yup, they will do that!

[Author]

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