Partially disabled bunny with matted fur

[Lauren]

Good afternoon,

I work at a Pet Store and on the 15th of January someone brought a baby bunny in and said they found him in their garden. I would’ve told the gentleman to return the bunny or ask around the neighborhood if they lost their bunny, but I noticed that his back legs weren’t working properly so I decided to adopt him. I took him to an exotic vet the next day and they had a look at him, he had minor cuts and scrapes but nothing too serious. They checked his legs out and noticed he did have some movement in his toes which was a good sign. They put him on antibiotics, dewormer and pain killers.

I’ve been doing physiotherapy with him on a daily basis and his legs are very strong but he still continues to drag his legs whenever he walks. I’ve never owned a bunny before, so I’m new to all of this and taking on a little disabled guy has been very tough but I’m willing to help him in every way possible. I have hope one day he’ll be able to hop.

I’ve read it’s not the best option to give bunnies a bath but the vet explained I could give him a bum bath to get rid of excess poop and urine. He doesn’t really seem able to control his bladder. Due to the fact he poops and urinates on himself, his hair has become matted and I’m worried it’s causing pain or discomfort. I called the vet today and asked if I could bring him through to get shaved but they said they only do emergencies on a Sunday and don’t generally shave bunnies and I need to take him to a parlour. The problem is I work Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm so I’m unable to take him to a parlour to get shaved.

If there’s anyone that has experience with partially disabled bunnies, please, I’m desperate for some advice. I feel hopelessly lost and just want the best for my boy.
I don’t really have anyone to help when I give him bum baths, so doing this alone is very challenging.

Is there any way I can get rid of his matted fur? Is there anything extra I could be doing for him?

Thank you all for taking the time to read my post and I apologize if it was a bit lengthy.

[tobyluv]

Hi and welcome to Binky Bunny. It was good of you to take in this rabbits.

Here is a site that might be very helpful to you: http://www.disabledrabbits.com/. Click on Owner Resources to see helpful articles.

When giving butt baths, it is good to have someone to help you, if you can find someone. I have had to give butt baths a few times in the past to elderly rabbits who had mobility problems and couldn’t keep themselves clean. I think it’s good to buy a plastic dish pan and put in on the floor, with an inch or so of warm water. I use a sliver of natural soap, such as Kirk’s Castille in the water. It’s good if one person holds the rabbit in the water, while the other splashes around their bottom and tries to clean it.

It think it’s actually better if a rabbit savvy vet /vet tech shaves rabbits. You can also try carefully clipping the fur and mats yourself.  It may take a while, with several sessions, to get the mats gone.  Again, it would be good if you had help with that task.  Most groomers are only familiar with dogs and may not know about a rabbit’s delicate skin and how to handle them. I volunteer at a sanctuary and we once took an Angora rabbit to a groomer who was badly matted. They cut her in several places and told us that they couldn’t work on her again.

I hope that you can find some help for the rabbit. Laser treatments might be helpful if your vet does those.

[Lauren]

Thanks for the welcome and for your reply!

That website is very informative! Got some great ideas how to set up his cage properly. 

As for his matted fur, I’ve been struggling for hours to cut away some of the matted fur but it’s so bad the fur feels rock hard so I’m scared of pulling the fur away from his skin in case I hurt him. The mats are also very close to his skin. I also read that giving a bun a butt bath with mats will make it worse? 

[Mikey]

Ive got a physical disabled bunny too (splay leg and muscle/weight disorder). Thank you very much for taking this little bunny in!

Another way to bathe is with a damp warm clean cloth and gently massage the stuck bits out of the fur. Dry the bun off with a dry warm clean cloth after.

I also second talking to your vet about possible shaves for the mats. If they will do it (and know how to safely), also ask for aftercare help such as skin creams to keep the skin from drying

[Manda]

Hi Lauren! I had a 13 year old bun who recently passed away and she was suffering from a bum leg which made her disabled. She was very old- I am not sure how old this little guy but in Cinni’s case it was neurological which caused her to drag her leg and she had no muscle on it anymore. Daily bum washes and if you can have him shaved that will help. Also if you can get a cream for urine scalding that will help too to keep any infection away as their skin is very sensitive but that is if he is urinating on the leg. The name is escaping me right now but I think it is called Fremezine or something like that it can be used for burns, sores ect it is a safe cream for buns. It also can be used for sore hocks. As Mickey says above- towel dry. I don’t suggest blow drying as it is going to make fur fly everywhere, stress bunny out, and it could burn their skin. Thanks for taking this little guy in and I hope other than his disability you have many happy years with him!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks for helping this bunny.

Check out the site: http://www.disabledrabbits.com (sorry it’s not letting me link)

They have a Facebook page too.

[Author]

Messages