How to stop rabbit from licking wounds on his legs?

[VictorianKitty]

Any tips on how to stop rabbit from licking wounds on his legs?

I’m a fairly new rabbit mom – never intended to actually have one as a pet, but this adorable guy showed up on our yard one day and we never found his owner, so he’s made himself at home in our dining room!

I’ve done a ton of research and consulted with some rabbit rescue groups to ensure I’m providing him the correct care, diet and environment. Despite giving him nice soft flooring in his 25-square foot enclosure, he developed bald spots on both of his heels (like a precursor to sore hocks, but no open wounds at all). We took him to a rabbit-savvy vet who had been recommended to us. She wrapped both of his back feet up in GIANT thick gauze wraps, all the way up his thighs! We thought this was overkill, but trusted her judgement.

When the wraps were removed a week later, we discovered he had developed huge sores on the inside (front) of both ankles!! We are certain these were caused by having all that gauze pressing into where his ankle folds. He had no sores/hair loss in that area before the gauze wrapping was applied.

We took him to a different rabbit vet today. They prescribed silver sulfadiazine cream and said to leave the wounds undressed. They also said not to use an e-collar. However, Mr Bun is now obsessively trying to lick the wounds.

Short of sitting with him 24/7 to continually distract him, any tips on how to get him to stop licking off the cream and leave the wounds alone so they can heal?

[Bunny House]

That cream is such a life saver, it should heal the wounds fully in a week. I know my buns love to lick it so is there a way you can sit with him for 30-45 mins whenever you put it on so he want lick it so you’ll be able to push his head away and then let him go after? That time should be sufficient enough to allow it to soak into the skin.

[VictorianKitty]

Thank you so much for the input! I’m very glad to hear that the cream is so effective. My husband and I are taking shifts watching/distracting him for a couple of hours after each application.

We were able to call his vet this morning (thankfully they are open on Saturday!!) and they gave us some Metacam for pain. That seems to be helping a LOT – he still wants to lick right after the cream is applied, but he gives up much easier. He’s no longer going at it obsessively.

I made him a forage box to help with the distraction. He absolutely loves it!! I’m delighted to see him so happy after a rough couple of weeks.

https://binkybunny.com/wp-content/uploads/converted_files/Portals/0/activeforums_Attach/PSX_20190309_115825.jpg

[Bunny House]

I love it! I need to make that for mine. Keep us updated if you need anymore help!

[Author]

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