Health problem!!

[Bunny.Carl]

Hi, I have a rabbit named Carl. I got him last year of September and I got him from a friend who’s sister got him from a fair and they were going to just kill him, so I took him. He’s had so many problems since (given he was probably not treated so nicely as a fair rabbit). He has went completely blind in like march-April and has fleas sorta bad.. but just 3 days ago he sat on his pillow, which he hasn’t for a long time and I thought nothing of it but the pillow had maggots all on it and Friday night I found them all on his face, assuming due to him being blind, me and my family have been combing them out every 3-4 hours but I don’t know what else’s I can do.. they have made a dime size wound in his head but no other wounds they just keep pulling out fur!! They seem to be getting less and less but I know they probably won’t disappear!! I just need all the help and advice I can!! I am going to call the vet tomorrow morning because it’s Sunday and it sucks this happened on Friday night when vets aren’t open.. we first started wiping them off and then they became less so we couldn’t anymore so we picked the ones out the wound and cleaned and sparyed that with prioxcide. They moved to under his worse eye out of the two and then down to his neck and then on the other side of his face then to his nose a little bit and now in his neck mostly. Like I said it looks like it’s getting better but I need too get it gone!! I used cornstarch and water to kind of spray them out and cornstarch drys them out so maybe it would dry on his skin and get them.. I also rubbed cornstarch under his neck every time I’m done.. The eggs were not on him initially because it was on the pillow so it could maybe be treated at home because they weren’t hatched on him but they could be multiplying little by little though!! Like I said I need any type of advice.. I don’t really have the money for the vet (I did go for his eyes though so at least he’s at a comfort level). If you want pictures I can take them… he’s drinking water (I switched back to a “bottle” type water that small rodents drink from) and I’ve been physically doing it so he doesn’t get soaked on top of being wet.. please help me!!!

[jerseygirl]

He really HAS to go to a vet ASAP.
The usual vets don’t have an out of hours contact number? Emergency vets?

Ask other family members and friends if they can loan some money so he can be treated. Im sorry, but Flystrike is deadly. 

I hope you can get him some help. {{{Vibes}}} for you little rabbit.

[12345ABCDE]

Surely there’s an emergency vet around??

Also, if you noticed 3 days ago that he had fleas ‘sorta bad’ what treatment did you do?

[Bunny.Carl]

He’s had fleas since I’ve had him and they’ve gotten worse because I also have a dog (the dog is treated) but even the vet told me fleas are fine (obviously they’re not “fine” but I can’t afford it and it’s not deadly because most animals have them) until he’s actually ill from the fleas.. I don’t have the money and/or family to do that.. I’ve posted for help but I’m assuming people are just thinkinging I’m lying. I also can’t do an emergency situation if I don’t have the money.

[LBJ10]

Yes, flystrike is very serious and can be quite deadly. The maggots release toxins and bunny can go into shock from it. Since this is on his head, it will be difficult to treat. Your bunny needs a vet soon. I will third the suggestion of seeing if there is an emergency vet that can help. If you are stuck waiting until Monday, it would be best to move your bunny inside somewhere so no more flies can lay eggs. Plus it’s summer, so there is environmental stress to take into consideration as well.

[Mikey]

I dont mean to sound rude but if you cannot afford to keep his health up, you should not have him. He needs a lot of serious medical help and will likely need constant treatment for the rest of his life. If you cannot do that, it would be best for him to go to a family that can afford to care for him.

[12345ABCDE]

Either go to the emergency vets and set up a payment plan or please for his sake, surrender him to a no kill shelter. He deserves to get treatment and he deserves to life a life without fleas. It is cruel to expect him to live with fleas ‘because you can’t afford it’ Add to that the fact that maggots have burrowed into him, I cannot begin to imagine the suffering

I’m sorry but there is no way he should remain with you if you will not provide veterinary treatment.

[LBJ10]

Bunny.Carl – I edited your last post due to forum rules.

I understand that you were trying to do the right thing by this bunny. No one is blaming you for trying to give him a better home. No, fleas are not an emergency, but they should be treated for. Not only is bunny miserable with all the itching, it the infestation gets really bad then they can become anemic. I don’t know for sure, but it sounds as though your bunny is housed outside. Fleas will always be a problem with any animal living outside. If you cannot afford to treat for them all the time, then the bunny should be housed indoors. Otherwise, you will be treating for fleas constantly. Flea treatment is not horribly expensive if you don’t have to do it all the time. Advantage or Revolution should be used. Never ever use a product containing fipronil on a rabbit. With any flea treatment, bunnies metabolize it faster than cats or dogs so it has to be applied more often (hence the benefit of keeping them indoors).

I apologize because your latest post was not showing when I posted. I assume it was pending at the time. Anyway, no one is meaning to “not offer help”. But we are limited on the advice we can give in this situation. For flystrike, it is very important that ALL of the maggots are removed. There just isn’t any chemical you can put on them to kill the maggots that isn’t toxic to rabbits. You have to either bathe them several times to drown the maggots (one of the few emergency situations when a bath is recommended) and/or pick all of the maggots out by hand. The problem in your case is that the maggots are on his head. You can’t hold your bunny’s head under water like you could hold his butt underwater (a more common place where flystrike occurs). Therefore, all of the maggots will need to be removed by hand. This can be very difficult for even vets to do. The maggots will actually burrow down into the skin and they are difficult to remove. This is why everyone is saying he needs to be seen by a vet. It isn’t that we don’t want to offer advice. It’s just that this is a situation where a vet really does need to do the work of removing the maggots. He’ll likely need antibiotics and other treatment too because the wound may become infected and he may already have toxins in his system. Once the maggots are gone, he will need to be kept somewhere flies will not be able to lay eggs on him again. Otherwise, they will just reinvade the wound.

We understand that you don’t have a lot of money. And, believe me, rabbits tend to get sick at the worst times. But that doesn’t negate the fact that he needs a vet. If you’re taking him Monday, ask the vet if they will accept payments. Many will if they see you are experiencing a hardship. Another idea would be to talk to the local shelter. They may be able to refer you to a vet that will work with you on the cost.

[Bam]

It was great of you to take Carl in and offer him a home. I’m sorry he’s been having these health problems. I really think you should try and contact a shelter. Carl needs immediate help, because as LBJ says, fly strike is not an easy thing to deal with even for vets. A shelter/rescue would know what to do, they have vets working with them. If circumstances prevent us from helping our pets like they need to be helped, it’s quite ok to reach out.

[Bunny.Carl]

Update; we shaved the area in his chins and picked them out by hand.. like I said the fleas were in a pillow so it’s not like flies has laid eggs ON him so it wasn’t as bad and good hing we caught it when we did.. he’s doing better! For anyone who else is looking st this and doesn’t want to post for help.. DO NOT get it wet!! Pick them out use proxcide on open wounds if need and then dry him and use cron startch to make them dry up and come out if he skin. Oh and maggots do not drown I had to make a soap/cornstarch water in a cup and even then some were still floating around alive. They are very hard and you have to keep up with them and check your rabbit every 1-2 hours!! I wasn’t talking about you guys on the helping part either.. I meant I posted on my social media reaching out to raise money and no one did.. like I said though I’m not mad or upset. This is my situation and I got it under control.. and and he is an indoors rabbit. He’s potty trained and is doing fine with the fleas nothing to serious.. when I move out of this house yes I will get him completely clean and ready for a new house without the other animals in the house now… but thank you everyone for the suggestions!!

[Bunny.Carl]

Also I’m not really a big fan on the revolution and other flea replents.. because as I said he was a fair rabbit and I don’t think he’d take it well due to also being blind.. and I’ve read so many bad statements about anything like store bought.. besides like the sand/seashells grinded up..

[12345ABCDE]

You cannot wait til you move out to rid him of his fleas. I am gobsmacked that you believe this is an acceptable option. For his sake, give him up to someone that will provide him with treatment when required. That is the bare minimum and if you cannot provide that, you shouldn’t have him. What has his fair background and blindness got to do with flea treating?

Also you say you don’t like store bought flea repellents – what do you treat your dog with then?

I’m really trying to remain polite and respectful but this is outrageous.

[Azerane]

If your rabbit has maggots on him or burrowing into him then yes, flies have laid eggs on him, that is where the maggots come from.

Home remedies are not a solution for fly strike and I can only recommend that you still take him to a vet as a matter of emergency. Maggots can be burrowed into and under the skin and literally eat an animal from the inside out while they are still alive. Any advice we give is for the welfare of your rabbit, refusing to get vet care for a rabbit that clearly needs it based on the description you have provided is neglectful. While we do really wish to help, there is nothing we can do but recommend you see a vet for something so serious. If money is an issue, there are many places that accept after pay, payment plans, or in some cases there are even organisation set up to help those with limited funds for vet care. If you still cannot afford it, it may be in the best interest of your rabbit to give them to a rescue so that they can provide the care needed.

If you do intend to keep your rabbit, it would be worth thoroughly cleaning his living area and sanitising it. Make sure to keep on top of cleaning and perhaps review your rabbit’s diet. Flies are most attracted to rabbits that have mushy poop stuck to their butt or wet fur in that region, which is when fly strike is most likely to occur. A proper diet will prevent a poopy butt, and making sure the litter tray is cleaned out daily will reduce the attraction to flies in the area. It also sounds like you may have bathed your rabbit, make sure you dry his fur thoroughly all the way through as rabbits who are given baths can often go into shock.

[Mikey]

You cannot continue to put him through this horrible treatment. Either you find a way to get him all of the vet care he needs, every single time he needs it, or you need to give him to someone who can afford him. You are torturing your rabbit by subjecting him to neglect of health because you cant pay for him. That falls under animal abuse laws if you live in the US.

Fleas, when it gets to the point of maggots ARE serious. Fleas are laying eggs ON him since there are maggots. Maggots are eating holes THROUGH his head. You refuse to do anything about it because you cant afford and because you dont like the products offered. Thats not acceptable.

[Bunny.Carl]

I am not putting him through anything. I am helping him if anything, I can not give in to anyone. Not trying to be rude but no one is going to take a rabbit that has fleas already (so then it gets in their homes) and/or maggots. 2. The maggots are gone and token care of and fleas are common in all animals it’s not deadly nor the worse things in the world. There is no reason to get medical help if my mother an I know what we’re doing and got it token care of when it started. 3. I am not neglecting him. I am with him everyday and my sister and mother always check on him and stuff as well. As stated in my “topic” he got maggots from his old pillow that was laying in a box. Flies did not lay them on him. There was one “hole” which wasn’t even a hole because I caught it before it was bad. Because I DO NOT neglect my rabbit. Like I said no place,person or shelter will take him. They will think he has no hope and put him down when he is doing fine. I take care of everything I can as it comes. I am also not going to put products not made for my rabbit on him to potentially kill and/or harm him. I am not being rude. But I posted for help not judgement.

[12345ABCDE]

Posted By Bunny.Carl on 7/10/2017 4:10 PM

I am not putting him through anything. I am helping him if anything, I can not give in to anyone. Not trying to be rude but no one is going to take a rabbit that has fleas already (so then it gets in their homes) and/or maggots. 2. The maggots are gone and token care of and fleas are common in all animals it’s not deadly nor the worse things in the world. There is no reason to get medical help if my mother an I know what we’re doing and got it token care of when it started. 3. I am not neglecting him. I am with him everyday and my sister and mother always check on him and stuff as well. As stated in my “topic” he got maggots from his old pillow that was laying in a box. Flies did not lay them on him. There was one “hole” which wasn’t even a hole because I caught it before it was bad. Because I DO NOT neglect my rabbit. Like I said no place,person or shelter will take him. They will think he has no hope and put him down when he is doing fine. I take care of everything I can as it comes. I am also not going to put products not made for my rabbit on him to potentially kill and/or harm him. I am not being rude. But I posted for help not judgement.

You ARE neglecting him because you are refusing to get rid of his fleas, and you are refusing to get the maggots-in-his-head dealt with which is an EMERGENCY. Weren’t you going to take him to the normal vets today anyway? Or did you decide not too?…

You can make all the excuses in the world but the cold hard fact is: Your rabbit is suffering. Immensely. You are failing to get him help. You are failing him. How do you know a shelter won’t take him? Have you checked? I’m sorry but this is getting more and more ridiculous. You cannot seriously expect your poor rabbit to live covered in fleas,  and you cannot just expect the maggot infestation to disappear. They have burrowed into his head. 

Btw, there are flea treatments suitable for rabbits. Don’t know why you’re assuming there aren’t. It’s strange how you are so against flea treatments but so blasé about maggots being inside your rabbit. You came here for help, but what are we supposed to do? No one here is going to tell you that what you’re doing is okay..

[Mikey]

You dont know what youre doing and youre very mistaken on a lot of his health problems. The maggots can come back because of the fleas. You need to treat the fleas, and your response was along the lines of “I wont because I dont like flea products”(neglect sign 1) ; thats not ok! He needs to be seen by a vet, and youre refusing it because..(neglect sign 2).. I dont even know why youre refusing to help him! Knowing the pillow was infested, you shouldnt have had it around him in the first place (neglect sign 3). He does have holes, because you said the maggots hide inside of them and you cant find them (neglect sign 4)!

I would take him in a heart beat. Shelters will as well. Its better to take him to a shelter than to have him taken away on animal abuse charges where they will likely put him down.

[vanessa]

I have had fly strike in 3 of my rabbits. It is an emergency. Your rabbit needs to see a vet. Do you and your mom have veterinary training? Do you know how to find maggots under the skin? Your rabbit needs antibiotics and pain medicine. Please don’t be so stubborn.

[vanessa]

Corn starch and peroxide are not a substitute for antibiotics. And nothing you are doing is helping with your rabbits pain. Maggots are painful. They eat the rabbit from the inside out.

[BB Administrator]

I do understand you are looking for help, but in this situation, due to the severity and what the rabbit needs, we are not equipped to help with maggots, and this is too serious for home care as well. This may not seem serious, but it is. This is a situation for a vet to handle. You said you got all of them, but there may be more that haven’t’ hatched yet and very likely under the skin, as well as this can cause infection and abscesses — which would only get more expensive to treat. I know you took in the rabbit to save his life. It doesn’t end there. The responsibility continues as hard and challenging as it is.

Based on your IP, you are in a location that has many great rabbit vets. You did say you were going to contact the vet today, so that will be good as they will know what’s best and can help your rabbit.

I have been in a situation where funds were tight and we needed a vet asap and the vet hospital allowed us to make payments. I have also been in a situation when the vet bill ended being much more expensive than we thought after we went. Again, was allowed to make payments.

Advantage and Revolution do work well for rabbits, but you need to make sure you have the right dosage for the weight, and that is where the rabbit vet will advise.

Please let us know what the vet says. At this point, that is the only solution for immediate resolution and for long-term health.

In emergency situations we do have forum rules regarding this – please be advised: 

1. ADVICE RECEIVED IN FORUM:

Members range from all levels of experience. Leaders are not vets or behaviorists. We all may use our own experience and knowledge to help find solutions and offer advice, however it is YOUR responsibility to assess the information given to you. The advice given here should never be taken as a replacement to your own vet’s care but as additional options to consider and discuss with your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

We reserve the right to delete a post/ advice that we feel will put an animal at immediate risk. 

Emergency/Urgent Situations: We CANNOT help you in case of an emergency or urgent care. If it is an emergency, you MUST seek vet care. We cannot replace vet care.  If you are unsure if vet care is needed, then we can only give you our opinion, and if we say seek vet care immediately, then PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOR ADDITIONAL MEDICAL TYPE OF ADVICE unless it’s about locating and/or getting your animal to the vet or about how to keep the animal alive DURING transport to your vet.  If you are seeking “additional” information regarding the vet care’s advice, that is fine, but again, we cannot replace vet care.  Also, NEVER risk your animal’s life by waiting for an answer from us.

Helloworld!!

[Bunny.Carl]

Like I said!! I am not neglecting them. I am doing the best of which I can. I will get him help when I can. I got all the maggots out as I stated before and HE GOT THEM FROM A PILLOW THAT I DID NOT KNOW HAD MAGGOTS IN IT. I wouldn’t just leave the pillow around knowing that. I haven’t used any flea stuff because I haven’t found ANYTHING made for rabbits and their fleas. Cornstartch dries out all the eggs and any left over ones (which are not there). If you look up how to get maggots out of animals there are many things telling you how and what helps and works. You can get them out your self and your animals be fine. It was a very small maggot thing because a few got on him from the pillow. A fly it’s self did not lay his eggs directly on him. And where I am there is tons of vet places but I have called a few and only 1 takes rabbits (the one I went to when he went blind). I am not not doing fleas because I don’t want to because it can kill them if used wrong and/or make him even worse than you guys think he is.. I can see my rabbit and if he is not feeling well and other things. You guys are blowing it out of proportion… yes it was a big deal but I have gotten them. I will take him in when I can but for now he is perfectly fine. But also like I said this is no where near how bad people treat rabbits and stuff. I am trying. Another thing is this is hard on me as well seeing by baby go through this. You guys can be A LOT more nice about this.. I’m not hurt because honestly you guys have no idea how the situation is over here but I am just saying.

[Mikey]

What medications did the vet prescribe him when you brought him in today?

[BB Administrator]

The original post sounds serious from your own description — with maggots moving from eyes to nose to neck, leaving a dime-sized wound and the maggots pulling hair out.  The description that was given qualifies for vet care, as well as flea treatment, which sounds like an ongoing problem that has yet to be resolved for this bunny after a few months.  You asked for help, and I understand you are not agreeing with the advice given.   This can leave everyone feeling helpless, frustrated and very concerned.  I know you are not feeling supported, but for reasons stated in the earlier post, the only support we can truly offer at this point is the advice to seek vet care.  I am locking this thread in compliance with the forum rules. 

However– since I am located in your general region, I know of several rabbit-savvy vets.  So hopefully you will have more than just the one option.   I will message you a list of those vets. I will also message you resources from the House Rabbit Society regarding the issues your bunny is having.   

Please keep trying to seek vet care.  

I have decided to also post the resources here for others in the future who may come across this post and be in a similar situation.  These links may be helpful. 

Maggots — 
http://www.rabbit.org/journal/4-3/maggots.html
http://www.rabbit.org/journal/2-12/fly-strike.html
http://rabbithaven.org/fly-strike/
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_d…is_fly.htm

Fleas: http://rabbit.org/faq-grooming/
(scroll to Fleas and Mites)

Helloworld!!

[Author]

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