Vagina/Anus bite wound! *pics*

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This topic has 61sd replies, 16 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 2 months ago by bunnytowne.

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- 02/17/2009 at 5:40 PM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  This happened earlier today, and I posted about the incident here:
  
  https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/forumid/11/postid/99014/view/topic/Default.aspx
  
  It only seemed like a surface wound when it happened earlier today. I went back to work, and came back to see it swelled and it looks way worse than it did. I wonder if she picked at it. I’m not really sure. It was still open, not a dripping blood wound, but still wet.
  
  But I honestly don’t know what I’m looking at. Is it her vagina or her anus? She actually is pooping and the poops are completely normal and she doesn’t show any reaction of pain when she poops. Infact, she hasn’t shown much pain. She is walking around exploring and she’s demanding head rubs as normal. She’s even eating hay, which leads me to believe she’s not in pain at all. So we roll her over to dab a paper towel on it and it does blot red a little bit. She does squirm when we touch it, but she gets back up and is normal again. She doesn’t seem to make a big deal.
  
  I’m the new mom freaking out, I guess. But I need some opinions. Do you think this is a flesh wound that just needs some neosporin or do I need to run her to the vet tomorrow for stitches? I’ve only been home for 30 mins and I haven’t seen her pee yet. I have her in the play area on a clean floor and waiting to see some pee.
  
  Oh and I know this is weird, but the wound has a weird smell, kind of like coffee….does that make sense or am i crazy?
  
  Warning – these photos look gross
  
  Here is the fur and the piece of skin that was stuck together. It doesn’t look like that much until you see the actual wound.
  
  And here’s the actual wound. It’s hard to see what is going on here, and I’m confused to even explain. The bottom of the photo is the tail, and she is flipped upside down, so you can understand the perspective. You can even see her shaved strip on her belly still there from her spay.
  
  now, on this one, the tail is at the right bottom corner and my bf’s thumb is holding her hind leg to the side. He’s kind of moving her vagina area over to the side and spreading the fur to show a closeup
  
  Anyone know more about female rabbit anatomy to know what is injured and if she will be alright?
  
  Thanks,
  
  New mom in a paranoid panic!
- 02/17/2009 at 5:46 PM
  Balefulregards
  Participant
  715 posts
  Holy crap. I don’t like the look of that – the skin looks too open – too raw.
  
  I know the leaders will have a better answer, but if it were me, I would get some kind of protective ointment ( that is safe if/when she licks it) and get her to the vet in the AM. But that is the Mom answer in me.
  
  Good luck!
- 02/17/2009 at 5:56 PM
  Balefulregards
  Participant
  715 posts
  To clarify, I am talking about something like triple antibiotic ointment – but nothing that has the “Plus” to it ( ie cortisone to help swelling) – Neospoin or Bacitracin…and the plain old generic “Triple Anitbiotic ointment”. I carry tubes of it around in my purse, as I view it as an all purpose type of thing ( I think I got this from my pediatric nurse Mom…)
  
  At least covering it with the ointment will stop anything getting In ( for the moment) and help cushion the skin.
- 02/17/2009 at 6:01 PM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  Okay, i wasn’t sure if neosporin was okay for rabbits, but I’m going to do that and keep and eye on her. I’m still waiting for her to pee.
- 02/17/2009 at 6:26 PM
  MooBunnay
  Participant
  3087 posts
  If it were me I’d be getting the bunny to the vet pretty quickly – even though she is acting really normally, I would be concerned that it is one of those situations where she is hiding the pain as part of her “prey” instinct. I couldn’t take a good look at the photos, but the injury did look pretty serious to me – I hope I do not scare you or anything, but if it were me I’d probably be trying to get into see a vet ASAP.
  
  I’m glad to hear that she is at least hopping around and acting fairly normal,but one thing with bunnies is that their injuries can abcess and get infected really easily, so the vet might put her on preventative Baytril to try to prevent infections.
  
  Let us know how things go!
- 02/17/2009 at 6:38 PM
  BinkyBunny
  Moderator
  8776 posts
  She needs to see a vet asap for sure! This is a nasty wound and especially where it is located this can get infected. I’m sure urinating will be painful, so all in all vet care will be needed to repair (if possible), along with antibiotics to prevent infection, and pain meds.
  
  Keep us updated.
- 02/17/2009 at 6:44 PM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  ow
  I guess I sort of knew what was going to be said and just needed to hear it. I know of a rabbit vet a couple blocks from here. I’ll bring her in the morning.
  
  I’m watching her like a hawk. She’s just eating and carrying on. She’s definitely not binkying or doing any playful hops, though. I’m still waiting to see her pee. She has yet to pee. I’m really worried if she’s holding it or maybe she can’t pee.
- 02/17/2009 at 6:51 PM
  MooBunnay
  Participant
  3087 posts
  Try to make sure they get you in right away in the morning, tell them that it is an emergency injury so that you don’t have to wait very long. Let us know what the vet says as well – you are lucky to live so close to a vet! Is there any emergency exotic vets around you could get too? Like I said, I’m not able to analyze the pictures too closely – so I’m not sure of the logistics of the whole thing, but I can’t imagine that it is very comfortable. I’m sorry you are having to deal with this – I know it can be very stressful when your bunny is hurt. I hope that everything goes OK through the night and that you can see a vet ASAP!
- 02/17/2009 at 7:25 PM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  there are emergency vets around, but quite a bit of drive if they even have an exotic vet on staff right now.
  
  She’s not bleeding at all, so I think it can wait till morning. Though, the longer she waits to pee, the more I worry. I think if she doesn’t pee for the next couple of hours, I just might find an e-vet quickly.
  
  I have immediate work to do in the morning at work that has a 10am deadline. So I’m trying to figure out how to make this work. I might have my boyfriend take her which upsets me because I wanted to be with her…hrrmmm
- 02/17/2009 at 7:27 PM
  bunnytowne
  Participant
  7537 posts
  that looks bad and painful. I woudl think it would burn when she urinates. Ouch. Yes vet time. Oh that poor girl of yours. That is good you can take her first thing in the mornign and the vet is nearby. You must be worried sick.
- 02/17/2009 at 7:30 PM
  KatnipCrzy
  Participant
  2981 posts
  She needs to be seen by a vet- if you can not get her in until tomorrow am- I would consider putting a light coating on Neosporin (without the added topical pain relief) or even a light coating a Vaseline- just enough to very lightly cover the area (minimal film of protective ointment). I am concerned that it might burn when she urinates and that might help protect the skin a little.
  
  There is not much I would recommend cleaning it with before applying ointment- hydrogen peroxide can actually burn and it inhibits healing tissue- although the purpose of the ointment at this stage is to protect not heal.
  
  The chunk in the pic actually looks like skin I would guess- there are many layers to the skin and that could explain the clump- though i can not tell for sure from the pic.
  
  EDIT: call the vet first thing when they open- drop off appointments are often available for these type of situations. You might need to leave a credit card number along with contact info if you are not an established client at this vet clinic that sees bunnies. Drop offs can be good if the owner has an urgent wound (etc) that needs to be seen, and the vet can usually fit them in between other appts if the bunny is dropped off, because the bunny will be there and ready to be seen when the vet has a free moment.
- 02/17/2009 at 7:45 PM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  Hmmm…..
  
  she’s not litter box trained yet, so I didn’t have a litter box in the play area with her. I was just wanting to check the floor for pee.
  
  But since she hasn’t peed in a while, I put the litter box in the corner it usually goes in. She immediately got in it, angled her butt up in the corner. Her tail moved up and down a couple of times and she readjusted her butt. Then she immediately started licking at her butt. She crawled out of the litter box and is continually messing with her wound. There’s no pee in the litter box
  
  Should I just let her continue to lick at it? Or should i stop her each time she messes with it?
- 02/17/2009 at 7:57 PM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  Posted By KatnipCrzy on 02/17/2009 7:30 PM
  
  She needs to be seen by a vet- if you can not get her in until tomorrow am- I would consider putting a light coating on Neosporin (without the added topical pain relief) or even a light coating a Vaseline- just enough to very lightly cover the area (minimal film of protective ointment). I am concerned that it might burn when she urinates and that might help protect the skin a little.
  
  There is not much I would recommend cleaning it with before applying ointment- hydrogen peroxide can actually burn and it inhibits healing tissue- although the purpose of the ointment at this stage is to protect not heal.
  
  The chunk in the pic actually looks like skin I would guess- there are many layers to the skin and that could explain the clump- though i can not tell for sure from the pic.
  
  EDIT: call the vet first thing when they open- drop off appointments are often available for these type of situations. You might need to leave a credit card number along with contact info if you are not an established client at this vet clinic that sees bunnies. Drop offs can be good if the owner has an urgent wound (etc) that needs to be seen, and the vet can usually fit them in between other appts if the bunny is dropped off, because the bunny will be there and ready to be seen when the vet has a free moment.
  
  i put some neosporin on it.
  
  This will be a new vet for me but I’m going by a rabbit recommended vet list on a local rabbit rescue website. I’ve only had these rabbits for almost 2 weeks and to start off our new family members with something like this is pretty stressful. So I don’t have any relationship with a rabbit/exotics vet. This will be the first experience. I’m upset that they don’t even post their hours on their website. I called the number for a voice mail that would have hours and a fax picked up after 8 rings…Grrrrr!!! I guess I’ll try one a little further of a drive.
- 02/17/2009 at 8:13 PM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  oh good! I found an exotics animal hospital that opens at 7am tomorrow. Looks like it will be an early morning!
- 02/17/2009 at 9:41 PM
  BinkyBunny
  Moderator
  8776 posts
  I know this has got to be stressful! I am so glad you were able to find a vet! Please keep us updated.
- 02/17/2009 at 10:01 PM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  Ohhh that’s gross looking-definitely quite open!!! I’m so glad your getting into a vet, it’s very likely something like that would get complicated if not treated by a vet.
  
  {{VIBES}}
  Please keep us posted! I think that’s vagina (I’ll guess for the record) but hard to tell.
- 02/18/2009 at 4:36 AM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  almost 6:30am and I’m up and waiting for the vet office to open so I can give them a call.
  
  Bailey peed right before bedtime. It was the most pee I’ve seen that came from a rabbit so I guess she held it for quite a while. Her’s is usually a dark orange but this time, it was all clear – weird.
  
  Checked on her this morning and she’s extra squirmy. Last night, she was pretty calm. I was able to get a look at it, and it seems like it’s not raw and bloody anymore. She kept it clean and it looks more “dry.” But the skin has turned darker or more purple. And the are is a little swollen now.
  
  She’s now at the point of hating me because of all of this. It’s going to get worse when we have to take a car ride to a vet for him/her to poke and prod at her. Ugh, this is making me sick with worry of her and my bank account
- 02/18/2009 at 6:20 AM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  Tell your vet your worried about the bill and would like to make payments if you can.
  
  {{Bailey}}
- 02/18/2009 at 7:00 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  oh the poor thing! Please keep us posted on what the vet says! That does look awful, but I also don’t know what exactly I’m looking at so it’s hard to say.
  
  (((Bailey!)))
- 02/18/2009 at 9:39 AM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  -UPDATE-
  
  Well the vet that was really close by, just happens to be there every single day of the week, but Wednesdays. My luck. The emergency clinic that was a little further away usually does see rabbits, but when I called they currently had no one on staff for rabbits at that time. Great. The next closest place was about 40 mins away, and in morning traffic wasn’t awesome. And the vet wasn’t getting in until 9, so I ran up to work early this morning, finished whatever had a really hot deadline and then left. We got her there okay.
  
  You know it’s complicated when the vet looks at the wound and says, “Hmmm this is interesting.” The assistant wanted to take her temperature and couldn’t figure out where to put the thermometer, so I pleaded with her to skip this step, so we did. I really didn’t want her in too much pain. The doc pulled the wound open to have a look and told me she really has a badly wounded vagina. It was pretty swollen. But since this is a delicate procedure and the wound was very complicated, he said she probably needed stitches, but he didn’t really know where or what to stitch. He didn’t want to mess something up since there was vital elements here. But she is peeing, so that’s good and nothing need to be reconstructed or any surgery. Whew!
  
  He gave her an injection of something for pain. They did an extensive hydrotherapy wash of the wound. And sent me home with pain meds and antibiotics to give her. I’m already at work, and didn’t bring the sheet with me, so I couldn’t tell you the names of the medications, but Ill update when I get home for lunch later. We have to keep the rabbits separated until she’s completely healed, so we needed to figure out the cage issue when we got home. Got it worked out nicely, but I think my 2 rats who were living in a huge mansion were pissed to be put into a smaller cage. lol
  
  As I was working with the cage issue, my boyfriend was holding Bailey and she fell asleep in his arms. So I’m pretty sure the pain meds took effect and she was feeling better already.
  
  I was expecting $150 bill if she had to get stitches, but instead, it was $140 just for the wash, injection and meds. Does that sound normal?
  
  Oh and now I have to figure out how to give Bailey meds with a syringe. One of them is honey flavored, so she might not mind. The vet was going to demonstrate how to give her meds and he couldn’t even get her mouth open. She was very squirmy and barking at him. So this will be fun!
- 02/18/2009 at 9:55 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  That does sound about right for the bill here in Dallas. Normal vet visits for exotics are around $40 to $50 so with everything else, yeah, that sounds typical.
  
  The honey flavored med is probably metacam which is the pain med (anti-inflammatory). She sounds like she was a feisty little thing with the vet.
- 02/18/2009 at 10:13 AM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  Posted By Sarita on 02/18/2009 9:55 AM
  That does sound about right for the bill here in Dallas. Normal vet visits for exotics are around $40 to $50 so with everything else, yeah, that sounds typical.
  
  The honey flavored med is probably metacam which is the pain med (anti-inflammatory). She sounds like she was a feisty little thing with the vet.
  
  yep, it was hard to watch her struggle and watch the expressions on her face. Then when they took her in the back to wash her, I could hear her making growling noises all the way in the next room. I felt so bad for her. She was breathing so fast when she got back.
  
  He told me to not put anymore neosporin on it. He wanted me to just put vaseline on it to keep it moist because the swelling tissue will try to dry out.
  
  Oh and I was happy to get a vet exam in, he said she looked very healthy, heartbeat and breathing was normal. They couldn’t get a temp reading because of her wound, but other than that, she’s healthy. And she weighs only 3 pounds…awweee so cute! Funny, I think she usually eats about 3lbs in food everyday LOL lil piggy
  
  And as far as the vet bill. When we got home and I saw her feel better and fall asleep, I immediately said that was worth all the money just to see her without pain.
- 02/18/2009 at 10:18 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  It sounds like the pain shot may have been buprenex (or buprenorphine),
  
  It’s good to know she’s otherwise healthy too and now at least you can establish yourself with the vet for the future. It’s an important relationship to have in case of emergencies or questions.
- 02/18/2009 at 10:28 AM
  bunnytowne
  Participant
  7537 posts
  OHmy So she was just a fussing up a storm huh? Fiesty little girl. It is definitely worth everything to see her be ok and know she will do good. Yeah that bite was a bit complicated looking for stitches. And I am not a vet. Now for her to heal up.
  
  You must be so relieved. Rabbit fights can have very serious injuries. Vicious little things.
- 02/18/2009 at 10:38 AM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  Posted By Sarita on 02/18/2009 10:18 AM
  It sounds like the pain shot may have been buprenex (or buprenorphine),
  
  It’s good to know she’s otherwise healthy too and now at least you can establish yourself with the vet for the future. It’s an important relationship to have in case of emergencies or questions.
  
  ah! buprenex I think is correct. That does sound familiar from when I was looking over the invoice.
  
  Well I would rather establish myself with a vet closer by, but it’s good to know that’s an option. I live in Addison and the vet was up in Grapevine. It says “Flower Mound” on the address, but when you can see the Grapevine Mills Mall from the vet’s office, you know you are far lol
  
  But I was super happy to have a local list to go by from the ntrs.org site – yay
- 02/18/2009 at 10:40 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  Yes, I volunteer for NTRS so I’m glad you were able to find a vet on their website – was it Dr. Cattoor or Dr. Breshears? I live in Farmers Branch so we are neighbors :~)
- 02/18/2009 at 10:42 AM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  Posted By bunnytowne on 02/18/2009 10:28 AM
  
  OHmy So she was just a fussing up a storm huh? Fiesty little girl. It is definitely worth everything to see her be ok and know she will do good. Yeah that bite was a bit complicated looking for stitches. And I am not a vet. Now for her to heal up.
  
  You must be so relieved. Rabbit fights can have very serious injuries. Vicious little things.
  
  all her fuss and attitude and she not once tried to bite me or anyone else handling her. But she’ll nibble me if I don’t rub her head! lol
  
  complicated, indeed! He had to cut back hair and fiddle around down there just to figure out what was going on with her parts. And I think it made it harder to understand what was going on because it was all so swollen.
  
  And ya know, I always come in to vet clinics with the weirdest off-the-wall problems. Seems like every vet I see, it’s a new challenge for them when I hear “never seen something like this before.” Happens with my dog, my rats, and now a rabbit. lol I think Vets should just run the other way when they see me with an animal. lol
- 02/18/2009 at 10:44 AM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  Posted By Sarita on 02/18/2009 10:40 AM
  Yes, I volunteer for NTRS so I’m glad you were able to find a vet on their website – was it Dr. Cattoor or Dr. Breshears? I live in Farmers Branch so we are neighbors :~)
  
  Oh yeah, I would have been clueless without that list! I had a vet in mind, but when I called and they said they don’t see rabbits on Wednesdays, I was freaking out. Then I remembered I had that list bookmarked and everything was gravy. It was Dr. Marc Cattoor
  
  He seemed like a good vet and had some great knowledge. He was even able to get a thing in her mouth to have a looksie at her molars. He did well with her.
- 02/18/2009 at 10:47 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  Oh, yes, I love Dr. Cattoor – also Dr. Matlock at the same clinic is excellent as well. I used to go to him but he’s so far now that I work in Uptown and I have several rabbit friends that go to him and Dr. Matlock. He’s very good with dental too and very thorough. I would still go to him (and her)if it wasn’t a trek across town.
- 02/18/2009 at 11:30 AM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  I’m checking on Bailey during my lunch break. She’s very calm now with pain meds. She is sleepy and huddled in her “hospital cage.” She accepts ear rubs as payment, though.
  
  I see normal looking poops. But she hasn’t peed yet - so its been at least 5 hours since last pee.
  
  sleepy head:
  
  And I think little blue cars on her blankies really makes a difference.
  
  Oh and looking at her invoice,
  injection – Buprenex
  oral meds – metacam & bactrim/sulfatrimeth
- 02/18/2009 at 11:34 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  She’s so sweet! I’m glad she’s resting and hope she heals quickly.
- 02/18/2009 at 2:22 PM
  KatnipCrzy
  Participant
  2981 posts
  I am so glad that you were able to get her some help. For giving meds I would try maybe putting a little mushed banana on the end of the syringe and see if she will nibble that off and get a taste of the medicine too. I think that both medicines are flavored- Metacam definitely is as it comes from the manufacturer flavored, and usually the other is flavored also if it is in liquid form. My bunny Cotton after she was spayed and on Metacam afterwards practically sucked it out of the syringe when she saw it. She has a sweet tooth and she thought she was getting a treat- and I never used banana to get her to think it was something tasty as she will not eat banana.
  
  Bailey is a smart bunny- I wouldn’t let the doctor put anything in my mouth either after he had been inspecting and flushing my privates!
- 02/18/2009 at 2:53 PM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  This is the first time I see this post. The poor little Angel!
  
  {{{{{{Get better soon Bailey}}}}}}}}}
- 02/18/2009 at 3:32 PM
  KitD
  Participant
  35 posts
  *Poor baby!* Perhaps she needs you to GENTLY express her bladder for her, but put a good layer of vaseline on her delicates to help “waterproof” them
- 02/18/2009 at 4:44 PM
  skunklionshow
  Participant
  1257 posts
  I’m so sorry! I’m glad she’s recovering…what an awful attack! I couldn’t read the whole post…but my girl was attacked by her cagemate about 2 yrs ago. She required multiple stiches & was on cage rest, twice a day wound soaks, pain meds, & antibiotic ointments. The wound care that my vet had me was most helpful. I had to soak her wounds in Chlorohexidine solution & coat in silvedine creme. Keep us posted! How difficult this must be for you.
- 02/18/2009 at 4:59 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Your vet may have mentioned this…when using the syringe meds, pop it in the side of the mouth. If it shoots straight down the throat, the bunny could aspirate the medicine. In the side, it should flow over tongue then be swallowed. Being honey flavoured, I’m sure she’ll be lapping it up!
  *healing vibes to you Bailey Bun*
- 02/18/2009 at 7:33 PM
  bunnytowne
  Participant
  7537 posts
  What a beautiful girl you have. Glad to hear she is doing better. I am sure she will be fine once this is all healed up. You must have been so scared. I know I would be and I was worried for you both.
  
  Glad you got some real good care for her. Do take it easy and exhale you deserve it. All of you do.
- 02/18/2009 at 9:31 PM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  Posted By jerseygirl on 02/18/2009 4:59 PM
  Your vet may have mentioned this…when using the syringe meds, pop it in the side of the mouth. If it shoots straight down the throat, the bunny could aspirate the medicine. In the side, it should flow over tongue then be swallowed. Being honey flavoured, I’m sure she’ll be lapping it up!
  *healing vibes to you Bailey Bun*
  
  Actually, he didn’t mention that at all. Thanks for telling me! I kept that in mind when we gave her meds for the first time tonight. And being honey flavored didn’t really help. Bailey gave up a fight, even when we had her in a burrito. Her head squirms and shakes back and forth. I would squirt a little in her mouth, she would shake back then lick her lips and swallow. I would think she would want more, but every time got worse and more of a struggle. I had to feel bad for her when she ducked her head in the towel to where I couldn’t get to her mouth anymore. I knew it was time for a break, to hug, give kisses and luvins…….and then pick up the oral syringe again. lol
  
  I’m hoping the next few times, she’ll be used to it
- 02/18/2009 at 9:32 PM
  sharper
  Participant
  150 posts
  I’m starting to get worried about her water consumption. I really haven’t noticed her touching her water bottle. For supper tonight, I ran alot of water over her veggies so they were wet when she ate them. She has no problem eating, but I haven’t noticed her drinking. And since her urinating hasn’t been very often at all, I’m starting to think some dehydration may be happening.
  
  I’m going to put some water in a crock and maybe flavor it a little with some all natural apple sauce that i have in the pantry. Maybe that will interest her a little.
  
  Are there any wet baby foods that may be acceptable to give as food?
- 02/18/2009 at 10:28 PM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  You can give pedialyte, apple juice with water in a crock; baby foods->strawberry/ banana/pumpkin are all good-basically a baby food that is made from a fruit/veggie that they can eat. I’d try the flavoured water first
  
  Glad to hear it went well at the vets. {{Bailey}}
- 02/18/2009 at 11:29 PM
  alicat
  Participant
  40 posts
  Wow! I just read through all this for the first time, your poor baby!! My bun is tiny just like your Bailey (you said she’s 3 lbs right?), when I had to give her meds I found that the “burrito” didn’t really work because she is so small she’ll just wriggle out or turn her head and hide it. I found that the best way for us was for me to kneel and place her between my knees (so we’re both facing the same way), I put a towel behind her so she couldn’t back away and then put my knees close in on both sides of her. Then I could lean over her and hold her head in one hand and administer the meds with the other. I don’t know if this will work for you, but it might be worth a try. good luck!! Bailey– hope you feel better soon!
  
  ps she is super cute
- 02/19/2009 at 7:54 AM
  sharper
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  i didn’t have any apple juice last night, but I did have some apple sauce on hand. I put a little bit of that in the water and mixed it up and she still wouldn’t touch it. Then I dumped it out and just gave her straight apple sauce, she wouldn’t touch that either. But she would eat her veggies and hay with no probs. I knew I couldn’t give her anything with banana, because I already found out she doesn’t like banana either. But I knew she likes apple, so it was weird to see her turn down apple sauce.
  
  I marked the water level on the water bottle last night to see if it had gone down when I got up this morning. The water level hadn’t moved, but she had peed two more times throughout the night. So as I was changing her blankets this morning, I started to wonder if maybe she just doesn’t like this water bottle. I mean, all of my water bottles are the same exact size and brand, same color and everything. But the one she used to drink out of was currently in Hailey’s cage. It was just a weird idea and I was sure that wasn’t the case, but I switched water bottles anyway. And you know what?? She started drinking from it like she was dying of thirst! She just kept drinking water for a long while. I was so excited! I felt so much better. I can’t believe that was the problem! She just didn’t like this particular water bottle! LOL weird!
  
  Oh and what made me feel even better, right as soon as she was done drinking, she did a little binky. It wasn’t a jump or anything, but she got up on her hind legs and did it. I was thrilled!
  
  Too bad I had to ruin the moment with stupid medicine time. I had to give her the yummy honey flavor stuff. At first, I tried to give it to her as a treat. I had a little bit coming out of the syringe and I held it up to her. She smelled it and turned her head the other way. So I was sure we were going to do this the hard way. I grabbed the towel and wrapped her up….this is really hard to do on my own since she was squirming. Her little arms wouldn’t stay in it, so we had to rewrap a couple of times to get it right. I guess she remembers this from last night, because she immediately ducked her head under the towel like a turtle ducking into it’s shell. I lower the towel a little more under her chin, held her tight and tried to do all this one handed while slipping the syringe to the side of her mouth. 1/10 CC at a time, and she would shake her head back and forth, duck, squirm, whatever she can do to avoid it. I was having so many problems! It took me 15 minutes to give her 1.13 CC’s of medicine. I was running late for work, so I had to wake up the boyfriend to come hold her while I did the medicine. She was even a big struggle for him. It was just not a good experience for any of us. I really hope she gets the hang of it, but I don’t think so. She’s going to be a feisty, stubborn thing when it comes to medicine.
  
  Alicat – thanks for the advice! I’ll try that tonight when it’s that time again.
- 02/19/2009 at 8:33 AM
  MooBunnay
  Participant
  3087 posts
  I do meds the same way alicat does! She did a better job of explaining it than I usually do tho….good luck with the meds – it gets easier with time as you get used to doing it. Having to medicate my bunnies always seems to develop a closer bond between me and them even though they don’t like it at the time, so I think that in the end the two of you will be even closer friends I’m so glad you were able to find a vet that could help you. I volunteer at NTRS too – its a great sanctuary!
- 02/19/2009 at 8:44 AM
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  Posted By MooBunnay on 02/19/2009 8:33 AM
  I do meds the same way alicat does! She did a better job of explaining it than I usually do tho….good luck with the meds – it gets easier with time as you get used to doing it. Having to medicate my bunnies always seems to develop a closer bond between me and them even though they don’t like it at the time, so I think that in the end the two of you will be even closer friends I’m so glad you were able to find a vet that could help you. I volunteer at NTRS too – its a great sanctuary!
  
  I can’t see this making a greater bond. She seems to hold a grudge about it and I’m the mean medicine lady now. lol I really hope that in the long run it helps us bond, I just don’t see it. I’m really going to try doing the meds this way next time. I really hope it works. This burrito way is really frustrating
- 02/19/2009 at 9:47 AM
  BunnyLugs
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  117 posts
  Oh God!!! that makes me reaaaaaaaally queesy. Her Vagina was torn off? I just want to protect myself. Ouch!! I guess she was backwards mounting was she. Oh dear, good to know though. Best wishes. Beautiful bunny she is.
- 02/19/2009 at 10:05 AM
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  Posted By BunnyLugs on 02/19/2009 9:47 AM
  Oh God!!! that makes me reaaaaaaaally queesy. Her Vagina was torn off? I just want to protect myself. Ouch!! I guess she was backwards mounting was she. Oh dear, good to know though. Best wishes. Beautiful bunny she is.
  
  Yes, she had been mounting Hailey’s head a lot lately. I didn’t see it actually happen, but I assume this is how it happened. It wasn’t her full vagina that was bitten off, but a good side part of it. I want to get more pics of it later this afternoon now that the swelling has gone down and it looks better. It’s easier to see it now. lol
- 02/19/2009 at 10:17 AM
  kralspace
  Participant
  2663 posts
  wow, just reading the posts about poor Bailey made me queasy, poor baby. I’m glad you finally got to see a good vet and get it taken care of. You’ll be an expert bunny nurse by the time you’re through this one.
  
  I live 90 miles south of Dallas, in West, but come up to the NTRS every few months for supplies. I have to make a hay run Sat. and wipe them out of willow toys, too. Hope to see you sometime!
- 02/19/2009 at 12:37 PM
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  Posted By kralspace on 02/19/2009 10:17 AM
  wow, just reading the posts about poor Bailey made me queasy, poor baby. I’m glad you finally got to see a good vet and get it taken care of. You’ll be an expert bunny nurse by the time you’re through this one.
  
  I live 90 miles south of Dallas, in West, but come up to the NTRS every few months for supplies. I have to make a hay run Sat. and wipe them out of willow toys, too. Hope to see you sometime!
  
  being a new bunny mom, this has definitely giving me a ton of experience all upfront. My boyfriend and I have to laugh at the irony of if we can’t keep a rabbit for two weeks without injury, how will we ever raise kids? lol I was already nervous about taking care of these girls and now I’m just a paranoid mess.
  
  I was considering adopting from the NTRS before I found these girls. But all in all, 2 rabbits were saved, no matter what rescue they came from. I have yet to see the place, and would like to check it out someday.
- 02/19/2009 at 1:17 PM
  kralspace
  Participant
  2663 posts
  Hey, once you get your bunnies through the terrible teens, you’ll be ready for anything your future kids could throw at you!
  
  I really like visiting NTRS, it’s nice to talk bunny to people who don’t look at you like you’re crazy, hold and pet the sanctuary buns and have a nice visit. The girls will clip nails, too, I don’t like to subject my bunnies to a 3 hr car ride just for that, but it’s great experience to watch how they do it.
  
  I know all their buns from their photos on the petfinder site, but it’s fun to see them in person and they’re actually moving around..lol
- 02/19/2009 at 5:33 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  I can’t believe that was the problem! She just didn’t like this particular water bottle! LOL weird!
  
  Lol ! She’s certainly not making it easy for you is she! She probably thinks she has one up again on Hailey again now. Stubbun! Wouldn’t be surprised if Hailey is now refusing to you the ‘evil dripper bottle’ now.
- 02/20/2009 at 7:10 AM
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  I tried the other way of putting her down on the floor, between my legs to hold her. This did free up my arms, but she was just as squirmy and freaked out as the first way. She still huffs and puffs at me, shakes her head back and forth or ducks it underneath her chest. And I don’t know if rabbits can do this but she seems to tighten her lips to where it’s hard to lift them to show her teeth.
  
  And I think with each session, she hates me a little more. My boyfriend just stands by to giver her a yoggie afterwards as a treat. So I’m the mean medicine lady, and he’s the one that rescues her and gives her treats. boo.
  
  I just think she just wants to be the hardest rabbit to ever give medicine to. She’d rather it all over her chin than in her mouth.
  
  I put some more vaseline on her wound and it started to bleed a little bit. Maybe I put it on too rough or moved it a wrong way. It wasn’t a bad bleed, but just bled a little bit. But she’s eating, drinking and chewing on all her toys as usual. Poops still look normal and I think her urinating is a little more often now.
- 02/20/2009 at 9:03 AM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
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  12067 posts
  Sounds good! Have you tried wrapping her up in a towel to give medicine and look at her wound? Sometimes that makes it very easy!
- 02/20/2009 at 9:07 AM
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  Posted By Kokaneeandkahlua on 02/20/2009 9:03 AM
  Sounds good! Have you tried wrapping her up in a towel to give medicine and look at her wound? Sometimes that makes it very easy!
  
  Yep, that was the first option that I tried. She’s so little that she wiggles out of it and ducks her head in the towel to hide. She’s next to impossible to work with when it’s medicine time. It’s about a 30 minute whole process
- 02/20/2009 at 4:23 PM
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  just got home from work and went to check on Bailey.
  
  I guess it wasn’t good that it was bleeding earlier this morning. It wasn’t a lot of blood, just a little bit. I just dabbed it off and put her back in the cage.
  
  Now that I’m home from work, it seems like that spot that was bleeding might be infected. It isn’t swelled or anything like when we took her to the vet. It still looks a lot better than it did. but the part that was bleeding is now getting a white puss look to it. I might just go get some betadine and hope that clears it up.cti
  
  And while I was looking at it that weird smell came back – smells like old coffee. Has anyone smelled that before with an infected wound on a rabbit?
- 02/20/2009 at 5:25 PM
  skunklionshow
  Participant
  1257 posts
  I know that Vaseline is not good for feline or human wounds. Since it is a petroleum product it doesn’t allow air flow and if there is an infection, it can keep it trapped in the wound rather than allow it to escape. The Vaseline acts as a barrior rather than soaking into the skin. I would try the Silvedine cream instead.
- 02/20/2009 at 5:28 PM
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  Posted By skunklionshow on 02/20/2009 5:25 PM
  
  I know that Vaseline is not good for feline or human wounds. Since it is a petroleum product it doesn’t allow air flow and if there is an infection, it can keep it trapped in the wound rather than allow it to escape. The Vaseline acts as a barrior rather than soaking into the skin. I would try the Silvedine cream instead.
  
  yeah, i don’t know where to get silvedine cream
- 02/20/2009 at 6:22 PM
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  I got some new updated pics – day 3
  But I must say that they look a lot worse than what it looks like in person. It’s a little dried up, but in the photo, it doesn’t look dried up at all because of the vaseline. But what I wanted to really show was the white part.
  
  Just going to post the links to the images, just incase there are any that don’t want to see the photos.
  
  This isn’t what it looks like just straight on without touching it. It looks just like a bunch of fur little pink flesh peaking out, but my boyfriend is holding her and he’s actually kind of gently stretching the area to open it up a little to get a good look.
  
  This is one side of it – the better side. It’s not infected and not near as bad as the other side
  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c23/Jayson_Gold1980/DSC_0238.jpg?t=1235182406
  
  Okay, this is the bad side, pretty sure I need to lay off the vaseline and just concentrate on keeping it clean and let it air dry a little more
  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c23/Jayson_Gold1980/DSC_0236.jpg?t=1235182486
  http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c23/Jayson_Gold1980/DSC_0236.jpg?t=1235182511
- 02/20/2009 at 7:32 PM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  You know, if she’s OK until Monday I’d take her to another vet for a second opinion. I don’t know that not stitching it and prescribing vaseline is the best-I’d be more comfortable with a topical antibiotic-especially since it’s so big and now getting white.
  
  I wouldn’t leave it indefinitely-they can abscess easily. See how she’s doing and if you can hold out until Monday then fine-but she may even need to be seen by an emergency vet.
  
  I think your checking it and her often enough that you have a good feel of it’s an emergency or not I know its scary *HUGS*
- 02/20/2009 at 7:41 PM
  KatnipCrzy
  Participant
  2981 posts
  I can see why the vet did not stitch it- I think there are a couple of difference reasons- a) the wound was not fresh- and to suture is closed would likely close in any bacteria b) suturing the wound when there is a part “missing” could change or “tighten” the area- which is not good either- you don’t want a stricture that does not allow all urine to pass and keeps a small amount just inside the body- that will lead to chronic infections c) it did not look there was tissue to even close up by suturing without grossly changing the anatomy.
  
  I am sure the vaseline was recommended to protect the raw flesh from the caustic urine- otherwise it will be painful and that would incite a lot of grooming there most likely. Saliva inhibits healing- a routine groom to keep clean is fine- but excess licking will make the area even more raw and ulcerated. It only takes a light film to protect the wound.
  
  The “white” that you are seeing is probably a bit of tissue dieing off. If a wound was going to be sutured closed the vet would sedate the animal, flush with antiseptic rinse, trim the wedges of the wound to get clean edges that will heal together. I assume your vet was not comfortable in trimming the edges of the wound if she was awake and he was not suturing. The nature of the injury and the fact that there is so little tissue there to start with in a normal rabbits “privates” would probably make him hesitant to trim or remove any possibly damaged skin- in an effort to keep as much tissue there are possible.
  
  I think you should discuss these concerns with the vet if this is a good rabbit vet- I can certainly see why there were no sutures- it was not a case of sewing 2 edges of torn flesh together- to suture would almost be attempting a bit of reconstructive surgery- which might not be beneficial at all. If the office is open tomorrow you could always ask if the doctor can take a look to make sure the healing is progressing as it should- and determine if the “white” is tissue die off (completely normal in cases like this that have not had damaged tissue surgically removed) or if it is discharge/infection. Most vet offices are open on Saturdays and these type of medical progress exam appoints are usually pretty easy to get.
- 02/20/2009 at 8:24 PM
  sharper
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  Thanks! Actually he did mention that it would be difficult to stitch because there is a chunk missing. I even had the piece in a ziplock baggie just to show. (the weirdest thing I’ve ever had in my purse lol)
  
  I didn’t think about that may be dead tissue. Yeah, it’s not oozy or thick. It seems thin and it’s just along the side of the wound, so that would make more since that it’s dead skin on the side. I do know that the day I brought her to the vet, it was really super swollen, and it has gone down a ton. And I have been checking the temp of her ears to make sure she isnt getting hot. So those things I see as positives. I was just worried about the white part, but I feel better about it now.
  
  I do think the office is open tomorrow and I’ll give him a call and see if this is normal. He told me that vaseline was just for protective purposes and that’s it. he didn’t want me messing with it anymore than that. But I bought some betadine tonight and I’m going to put a light layer of that on to clean it a bit before the vaseline tonight
- 02/20/2009 at 11:19 PM
  BinkyBunny
  Moderator
  8776 posts
  I’m now playing catch-up from my last post. I am so glad to hear that you were able to get in a see a vet, even though it seemed like a real treasure hunt.
  
  Sending “healing vibes!”
  
  Keep us updated.
- 02/21/2009 at 11:00 AM
  bunnytowne
  Participant
  7537 posts
  I really hope she heals up soon with no infections. Poor girl.
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