Best way to hold rabbit still

[Miyuki]

Hello all,

I took my rabbit to the vet today and he cleaned out her eye and she just sat there!  If I get near her and try to clean her face she takes off like a rocket!  I need to clean around her eye and put some topical ointment in there but I can’t seem to hold her still.

I’ve tried the bunny burrito but she’s out of there before I can wrap her up!  I may need a bigger towel maybe but still she’s faster than me.  Is my mistake that I’m doing it on the floor where she has ample space to escape?  I also asked the vet and he said to wrap her in a towel.  She runs off when I do that… but for him she just sat there nicely!  

Does anybody have any tips?  I’m sure many of you must have some experience with this .

I apologize if this has been discussed before.  I can’t seem to figure out how to search the forums.

[kralspace]

Mine are the same way,Miyuki.

I have better luck putting them on a strange surface, like my kitchen table or the counter. I think it makes them unsure of where they are and they’re more willing to sit still and not leap away.

On eof these days I want to buy a kitchen cabinet with a laminate top to put in the corner of the bunny room to use for things like that.
good luck, Kathy

[Beka27]

I agree, a strange surface in a room they’re not used to is usually the best way to go about that. We use the kitchen counter that is in the corner of the kitchen, so there’s a wall on the left hand side, the backsplash on the back, and then we can stand and block the front of the counter. I wouldn’t suggest doing that on an open counter like an island tho… too many ways for possible escape.

That’s actually a good idea for a bunny station in the bunny room. Another option would be if you could find an inexpensive (maybe clearance or discontinued) baby changing table. You could go a step further and get a pad and a washable, waterproof cover for the top.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I always took Chuck to the bathroom sink to do his eye cleaning (now his friend is keeping it clean for me and we hardly have to).
I put him on the counter around the sink and had the water running warm and supplies ready first. Then I used my body to hold him on so he couldn’t fall off, as in he’s sort of leaning on me on the counter while I have a free hand to clean his face around his eye. That worked very well, even after months of the same spot. He got used to knowing that he was supposed to hold still while on the counter and it would just be a couple minutes.

[Miyuki]

Thanks for sharing! I will try putting her somewhere she doesn’t know .

[Miyuki]

Hello again everyone! I just wanted to let you guys know your tips worked great! I put a towel down next to my kitchen sink and put her on it. She kinda stretched out looking around but didn’t move from where I set her down. I wrapped her up without a problem and she sat there with me for about 5 minutes while I tried to get the gunk off from her eye (man it just didn’t wanna let go of her fur!) and applied some topical ointment.

You guys have been a big help! Thanks again!

Oh the best part was though when I put her back on the floor where she usually hangs out she didn’t seem mad at me.  She ran around for a little bit then came back to ask for a snack.

[Beka27]

Yes, definitely give her a little treat after you’re done poking and prodding. That will give her something to look forward to and let her know she’s been a good girl.

[Miyuki]

So I can get her to kind of sit still… any tips on how to get her to keep her head still? I mean I wouldn’t like it if someone was trying to put topical ointment in my eye either but it is for her own good! I think now that her hair on her upper eyelid is getting longer (they had to shave it off for a biopsy) she can feel me coming with the little tube of ointment…

[MooBunnay]

I’m glad you got her to sit still! As for keeping the head still, it is a little difficult, I agree. I usually have to position my hand either under the chin if they are trying to shove their chin to the ground, or on their shoulders if they are trying to move their head back to get away from me. Also, just the attitude that you have when putting on the ointment can help, since your vet is very experienced with animals he was probably very confident and firm in his actions, so you can adopt that same behavior to help your rabbit feel more comfortable.

How is she moving her head around? Is is side to side? Or is she trying to back up to get away from the ointment?

[Miyuki]

Once she feels the ointment she goes to the side sometimes. Most of the time she is trying to bury her head down into the towel she’s wrapped up in. She did better last night but it is different every time! Maybe she saw the plate with the apple slice on it? 😮

[flippersmom]

man it just didn’t wanna let go of her fur!)

hey miyuki – me again, the eye vet tech!!! Just a tip for cleaning eye boogers from the fur around the eye… we use small guaze squares and normal saline eye solution. If you get the center of the gauze fairly saturated and can hold it on the gunkie spot (that would be a technical term!!!!lol!!!!), then you can usually gently wipe in the same direction and it will come free pretty easily. It has to do with the fibers in the gauze grabbing hold of the gunk!!!! Most times the pet will sit pretty still for this as the saline has a cool soothing feel to the skin!!

I also read about her stumbling episodes! I would be concerned that whatever is going on by her eye could be migrating!!! Sometimes, what we can see is only the tip of the iceberg!!! I don’t mean to sound so negative, but at least prepare yourself that it all could be related!!

Please keep us updated! My crew is keeping you and Inkblot in our thoughts, prayers, and binkies!!!!!!!!!!

[Miyuki]

Hello again flippersmom! Thanks for the gauze tips! I haven’t had a chance to talk to the specialist because it is the weekend but I’m pretty sure this is it. It is just growing too fast. The only instructions we received from the vet yesterday is to keep giving her the Metacam and continue the topical eye ointment (hence the needing to hold her still ). We’re to make sure she is still eating and that she’s not in pain but if anything changes it is time. Honestly, I’m not expecting her to be around for much longer.

Oh yeah, I wanted to get some of that solution the vets used to clean her eyes. I only saw some bottles that said “eye cleaner” in the store and it had pictures of dogs on the front. Would you know if this is the same?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

What you want is ‘sterile saline solution’ this can be for pets but it doesn’t have to be. Contact solution (the kind you can put right in your eye-NOT the kind the contact must be in overnight for 12+ hours-as this kind has more stuff in it) can be used. Any ‘sterile eye wash’ solution is the same thing. Just tell the pharmacist what you are looking for and why and they’ll be able to help you find the right stuff. I always test whatever I’m using (Besides prescribed things!) on myself -like bitter apple spray when my dog needed it or eye rinse for Chuck-I just squirted a bit in my eye to test it out

[Miyuki]

Hey there I was looking at this: http://www.petco.com/product/6322/Tomlyn-Opticlear-Veterinary-Eyewash.aspx
But if I can just go to a regular store and ask the pharmacist that is probably better. Or now that I think of it the VCA I go to has a retail store portion and they probably have something there. I can just go there and ask. And if not, they are right next to the store I’d go to anyways .

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