Potamus/bite wound – Under GA tomorrow

[jerseygirl]

Ive just left Potumus at the vet and am feeling the usual nervousness and worry. Ugh.

Last night she got through to Ailís and Rumball’s side of the room and I think Ailís was the one to bite her. I actually didn’t realise at the time because she had already gone back to her side by the time I investigated what the noise was. I has just seen a bit of white fur around and thought Rumball may have been bothering Ailís. He gets very humpy and sometimes gets her fur in his mouth at the time. So I took him out the room to let Ailís
have some peace. When I took him back in later I was shocked to see blood on the other side of the room. I went to check them out and found her wound.

It looked pretty gross but had stopped bleeding. She was acting okay also. Was eager for pellets when I offered them. Anyway, I took her to get checked out and they have to cut off a skin flap, clean hair out the wound and see how they can close it back up. Hopefully just with staples but she will have to be sedated.. They said they might be able to use glue also.  

Lesson learned: thoroughly check all bunnies when I suspect there’s been a scuffle.

I’ll be securing the barricade more today. I recently modified it to make more secure but only at one end.  I had thought that was enough, but apparently not. 

[Gina.Jenny]

Poor Potamus bunnies are too expert for their own good at finding ways through barricades, thankfully Potamus was able to get herself back through the barricade before she got hurt worse. Healing vibes.

[jerseygirl]

Thank you.
She didn’t have to stay long in the end. They were able to clean the wound and do a few staples + glue, while she was conscious. They just did a little at a time, letting her rest in between. She’s has a shot of metacam and baytril and I have the oral forms to continue with those at home. Recheck monday to see how it’s holding together.
She’s still acting pretty good, thank goodness.
The wound is in an awkward spot. Up high on inside of back leg where it meets the belly/groin(?). Hopefully there’s not to much movement of it from normal hopping.

[Q8bunny]

Poor darling… (((healing vibes, Potamus bunbun)))

With luck, the skin will heal nicely despite the awkward location of the bite – which begs the question, how on earth did Ailis manage it??

[tobyluv]

I hope that Potamus will heal soon, and that there will be no more scuffling between your rabbits.

[jerseygirl]

Thank you !

Posted By Q8bunny on 5/21/2016 11:20 AM

Poor darling… (((healing vibes, Potamus bunbun)))

With luck, the skin will heal nicely despite the awkward location of the bite – which begs the question, how on earth did Ailis manage it??

Its been bothering me and I’m now wondering if Potamus was even was on their side. I was still up when it happened and only heard a rattle of the barricade and found one end slightly askew. So I’m wondering if Ailís got hold of her fur through a gap and the skin tore as  she hopped away. There was a tiny piece of skin attached to fur, and no chomp marks on her. (I assume it was Ailís because Rumball is not really a biter and has such a flat face, where as she has a pointy nose and is more inclined to defend her territory.) 

I put it next to an Aussie 5c piece which is slightly larger then US penny according to the internet. 

The skin is that red line and has shrunken, I only took pic today. The wound it left though was about an inch.  

They’ve been in this room set up for over a year now and only in the past 2 months I’ve had them get to each other. Maybe they’re bored.

[jerseygirl]

Also, I do spot Potamus and Ailís checking each other out late at night sometimes. Potamus and Rumball also put their noses through to each from time to time but the bar spacing doesn’t allow for much contact. They’re use to Rumball there because he often stands up there when he’s expecting treats. 

[Q8bunny]

To be honest, Jersey, that seems far more likely in the window of time they had… plus if you look at the base of the fur, shouldn’t it be messier near the roots if it had been bitten or clawed off?

[LittlePuffyTail]

Poor Potamus. ((((((Healing Vibes))))

[jerseygirl]

Wound already infected and it opened.

Vet wants to leave open so can be cleaned. She’s now on penicillin also.

want.to.cry.

[Bam]

I’m so sorry, Jersey. Please don’t cry. You’re an awesome bunny-mommy, you’ll get her through this. It’s way better that it’s open, but you know that of course.
Sending both of you so many hugs!

[Gina.Jenny]

Poop Potamus hopefully she will heal fast, and learn to keep a healthy distance from the other two. Like bam says, you’re an awesome bunny-mommy, but even the best bunny-mommies can’t 100% prevent things like this from happening, as rabbits are very determined, very fast, and very good at finding that one tiny weakness in a human barrier. More healing vibes x

[Q8bunny]

Don’t cry, Jersey. Only a great bunny-mommy would have acted as promptly and knowledgeably as you did. And I agree with the others – healing on open wounds is so much better and faster.
Heaps and heaps of ((((((vibes for Potamus)))))) and xoxo from me and Chewie.

[jerseygirl]

You guys are all so sweet. Thank you for your words.

Don’t mind me. I think I’m just emotional over other stuff. People that have treated me like crap when I’ve only ever gone above and beyond for them. (Not family/loved ones, thank goodness. That would be harder to bear). There’s nothing like bunny troubles to break that emotional dam. 

 I’m thankful I’m able to get her vet care and see she is doing okay. Hopeful all will heal well. Fingers crossed.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Sending some more ((((Healing Vibes)))) along and a (((hugs))) for you!

[Dee]

Aw, Jersey, I’m sorry that you’re dealing with all this. I know exactly what you mean about bunny issues making us emotional- I’ll be stoic through everything going wrong, then a bunny will have a health problem and it sends me right over the edge! And how dare people treat you like crap ?- it’s evident just from your posts that you’re a wonderful person.

Hoping life starts going more smoothly for you, and that Potamus heals up quickly!

[jerseygirl]

Thanks LPT, Thanks Dee. Think I was generally having a bad day.

Potamus goes under GA tomorrow to be properly fixed up. So I’m a bundle of nerves again.
Also noted Goose is losing weight and am getting a bit concerned about him. I hope it’s not a sign of infection or worse.

[Q8bunny]

((((((Potamus & Goose: be safe and sound))))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

Good luck tomorrow! Hope that Potamus makes out really well!

More vibes for (((((Potamus)))) and ((((Goose)))))

[Bam]

More vibes for ((((((Potamus and Goose))))))

[LBJ10]

Oh no, I hope everything turns out well tomorrow. Vibes for both Potamus and Goosey!

[jerseygirl]

Thanks all. I appreciate your good wishes.
I really should be asleep. Sleep patterns are out of whack so I hope I get her there on time tomorrow.

[jerseygirl]

I asked if they can try do something again while she’s conscious. 

They’ve quoted $400 if under GA also. 
I’ve already dropped $200 for the staples/glue that lasted one day. 

 
*whinge whinge* 

[jerseygirl]

Mishy Moosh did well. She is home now and very wobbly.  She tried “walk” when I had it open, crawling with back legs and rolling a little. I don’t expect her to want to do much tonight. Just hope she had an appetite by tomorrow.

[Q8bunny]

Sweet darling… (((perky vibes)))

[Dee]

So glad Potamus is home- what a relief! I’m sure she will be waking up more tomorrow. Both Nell and Bun were pretty much out of it for about 12 hours of their surgeries.

I hope Goose’s weight loss is no big deal. I know my mind always goes to the worst possible scenario- I just can’t help it. But then I remind myself that not everything is serious and take things one step at a time. Can you feed him a little alfalfa and some oats, maybe extra pellets or alfalfa based, try to fatten him up a bit? Maybe you already have- I know you’re more knowledgable than me about bunnies. I learned a lot of my stuff from you!

[Author]

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