It looks like a broken nail (it’s in the right spot). Also spoke to another emergency (non rabbit) vet, who looked at the photo I sent, and said that since it’s not in a dangerous spot (i.e. near internal organs) and looks like it’s no longer bleeding, he would advise waiting until 7 am for my regular vet who sees bunnies.

He said to clean it and apply some pressure (fat chance my bunny lets me do that). 

It looks like it’s no longer bleeding, but it’s hard to tell. If it is, it’s very, very little (i.e. a tiny spot – and it was only 20 mins ago this happened).

Photo attached looks scary – this is when it first happened so he was bleeding more. ((

I don’t have styptic powder, but I do have corn starch. Asked a vet friend who said that we can use that if it’s bleeding, but if it’s stopped bleeding, it should be okay.

We tried to clean his wound with a wipe and bandage it so he stops licking at it, but he kicked it off immediately. It definitely looks like it is not bleeding anymore and in fact, it’s hard to see the wound at all (he was licking at it…so there is no blood). 

Both vets I spoke to on the phone, who also saw the photo I attached, said that since he’s hopping and running and acting normal, it doesn’t seem like a bone injury.

Worried still, and emailed and left a message at his vet so I can take him first thing at 7 am.  Ah..

Thank you so much, everyone! He was acting totally normally, but just in case I took him into the vet. I’m a relatively new bunny parent (4 months) so more for peace as mind.

The vet took a look at it and said indeed the nail had broken off (you could still see some encrusted blood), but she said no need to clean it or do anything, and that he’d grow it back. She said it looks like his nails had been short enough, may have been unlucky and got it caught on the rug when he was trying to jump away.

Also they let me practice picking him up a few times using the towel method. He hates being picked up, but I was trying to try to do it more (i.e. once a week or so) to get him used to it. The vet said the regular method I was shown by the shelter people (i.e. hand in between the legs, then other hand to support the butt) was challenging, especially given he is squirmy.

The method the vet showed me seemed to work. Throwing a huge towel on him, facing him towards you (so he won’t be as likely to run), covering his eyes and then wrapping one hand around his neck and the other supporting his butt.

I have renewed confidence in picking him up — I was going to avoid picking him up in the future given this experience, but hopefully the towel method works!

In other news, he gained 0.3lbs (from 4.3 to 4.6) in <3 months. Vet said still normal but would advise reducing his pellets.