HELP- nail boo boo

[poopy]

Was trimming Medusa’s nails and after 15 mins of staying still she kicked out of my grip taking a nail out w/ her. It was bleeding quite alot and I put pressure on it w/ a tissue and flour. She eventually kicked out of it and has been licking the area (there goes the flour). How long does it take for nails to grow back?

[BinkyBunny]

Yeouwch! Rucy actually did this once AT the vets office.  She got her nail stuck in their towel.  It is painful for them, but she seemed to be fine after a bit.  It also was the dew claw so it wasn’t far down like the other nails.   How fast a nail grows really depends on the bunny’s own personal growth cycle, but I do remember it took a long time for Rucy’s nail to fully grow back to normal – something like 6 months.    

If she continues to lick it and it bleeds again, then you may want to try something like quikstop – many times they have a anti-bacterial and pain reducer built in to help prevent infection and continued licking due to pain.  

Just watch carefully that it doesn’t get infected and get an abscess there.  The vet gave me an antibiotic powder while I was there, but another option is using neosporin (WITHOUT THE PAINKILLER).    The reason for that is it’s not good for them to lick it if it has any kind painkillers that were really meant for humans. 

Awww. Poor Medusa. Sending healing vibes.

OH, I forgot to ask, I am assuming she still has the nub there?  Not a hole?

 

[poopy]

Thanks for the response. She still has the quick part- it looked like the shell was pulled off. I feel really bad and I am worried. If I apply neosporin daily won’t it be bad for them to ingest? She keeps licking it. I dabbed some tea tree oil on it and held her to let it dry. I am nervous to put neosporin because she will lick it all! Yikes I hope it doesn’t get an infection!

How often did you apply the powder?

[BinkyBunny]

Don’t feel bad!  It’s not your fault.  The only time it’s preventable is when nails get too long and they just get pulled off while running around, but here you were clipping her nails and wham, off it goes as she’s squirming out.   That happens!   Don’t worry, I didn’t mean to panic you –  it’ll be okay.   just keep an eye on it. 

 I am not knowledgable about tea tree oil used on bunnies (another thing to put on my list of things to ask  about)

Some people rub a THIN layer of neosporin on and hold their bunny for a few minutes to help it soak in. It will leave a bit of a residue as that is just the texture.  A thin layer of it should not do any harm, but if she licks it off, it sure won’t do any good either to help stop infection.  So you can just watch and see what she does. You don’t have to put the neosporin forever, but just for a few days to a week  (once a day) 

 ADDED LATER:   I wanted to also let you know that neosporin has been recommended for bunny care kits – Example http://www.mnhouserabbit.org/care/firstaidkit.html  (scroll down)   as well as in the emergency kit recommendation by the Ontario Rabbit Education Organization http://www.ontariorabbits.org/health/healthinfo7.htm

And the House Rabbit Society in Miami says this in regards to an irritated area: Apply a soothing balm, such as Calendula (from the Health Food Store) or triple antibiotic ointment (e.g., Neosporin, but NOT Neosporin Plus, which contains lidocaine and is not recommended). Source: http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/buttbath.html

I’ve used just the regular neosporin on Rucy and Bailey.

[poopy]

Oh, very good, i’ll try it then. You know me, I just get really paranoid about any possible health issues w/ Medusa. I should really try and cut it out. I imagine bacteria creeping into the nail when I see her in the litterbox.

[cookie627]

oh how sad! that has not happened to me yet. its just that i get too scared that it might start bleeding to i go to a pet store.

[poopy]

It doesn’t seem to be hurting her now because she still scratches herself w/ the leg w/ the nail stubby.

[cookie627]

well i hope she’s ok

[Author]

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