Spay incision suddenly bright red!

[babybella]

I am so worried about my baby! I got her spayed last monday (just over a week ago) and until now everything has been going perfectly – she willingly ate her veggies from the moment I got her home, and was going at her hay as usual the next morning, which was much sooner than I’d been told to expect. She was calmer than usual but other than that seemed perfectly fine. I noticed her nibbling at the incision once, just a day or so after she got home, but I stopped her right away and she didn’t try it again. I’ve checked the incision every day and it looked like it was healing ok, but when I got home from work today and took a look at it I freaked out! It’s a bright red color like fresh blood, right along the line where it was glued shut – but it’s not actually bleeding, it’s not wet or smeared or anything and there’s no blood in her pen or litterbox. She doesn’t seem to be in pain or anything, as of right now she’s actually stretched out on her side with her eyes half closed like she’s in bunny heaven. But it definitely does not look right. I don’t know what happened since I was at work all day, I mean she could have tripped jumping into her litterbox, or layed down on some prickly hay, or bit at it, or who knows what! But I am freaking out a little here… and taking her to the vet is simply not an option right now, if I miss another day of work to take her in then I won’t be able to afford the bill anyway. But I’m so attached to this little ball of fluff I can’t stand the thought of doing nothing while it gets infected or worse! I’m losing it. Any suggestions or advice? Please help!!

[BunnyBrigade]

If you’re really worried it’s always best to take her to a vet. I know it may be hard to take her, but if the bright red coloring is caused by an infection, you would need to see one to get medication to fight it off. Does the vet charge you for a check up? If it’s this close to her having her spay they may not charge you for bringing her in.

[babybella]

I think you’re right, I should probably just take her in. The problem is that I didn’t get her spayed by my regular vet though. I found a clinic that does it for a third of the price, and they were highly recommended by some local rabbit rescues… I would have preferred to get it done by the vet she usually sees, but it would have taken months for me to save enough money, so I thought I’d better just get it done. Anyway, point is, the clinic is over an hour away, so I’d basically have to take a full day off work to get her there and that’s just not an option. But I feel weird calling my regular vet since they weren’t the ones to do the spay! Do you think they’d still be willing to treat it? And not too offended that I took her somewhere else?

[Roberta]

Just wondering, is there any swelling or puffiness associated with the redness… Is it purely the line of the incision or around the area of the incision ?

[babybella]

There’s no swelling at all, at least not visibly, and it’s only on the line of the incision. It’s a little darker red than it was before, almost brown now. But it doesn’t look any worse…

[BunnyBrigade]

If it’s brown looking now that it should be okay. It sounds like she may have just picked the scab off of it.

[JackRabbit]

Does kindof sound like normal healing if its only on the line.

[JackRabbit]

BTW, I doubt your regular vet would be offended. Even they have to understand about money. If she did need to be seen, don’t worry about going to your regular vet because you’re going to have to tell them at some point that she’s now spayed.

We had Kieko spayed by the first exotic vet who could do it — she went absolutely crazy when we brought our lop babies home (biting us hard, tearing everything in her cage up, etc). Kieko is super territorial and would not calm down. It was either get her spayed quick or she was going to hurt herself trying to find the babies. Our vet was very understanding.

[babybella]

Oh yeah that’s a good point, I guess the vet will have to find out eventually anyway haha. Wasn’t thinking very far ahead there…

Anyway, I think it’s probably just healing like y’all said. Feeling very relieved now. Thanks so much for the reassurance!

[JackRabbit]

babybella — I actually took pictures of Marlee and Moshi’s spay and neuter incisions and emailed them to the vet! It’s our job as bunny parents to worry and fuss over our furbabies!

[Roberta]

Healing was my thought too and the sudden redness may be where the last of the glue has been licked or nibbled off. If there is no swelling or redness around the actual scar I think it should be fine.

[babybella]

Ahh I was feeling so much better about all of this and then I picked her up to check on it one more time before bed, and now the redness is completely gone but in its place is a tiny bit of white-ish discharge? It’s in the exact same spot, right along the incision, and looks like the glue that was holding it together before – just a different color. It’s not runny or goopy, just a little bit sticky to the touch, and there’s still no swelling or redness around it. And she still doesn’t seem to be in pain. Please tell me that’s also a normal part of the healing process? And not an infection? Ugh I’m sure I sound totally paranoid, sorry! I just don’t know what’s normal and I don’t want to ignore a potential problem.

[Bam]

You could call the vet, if they think it’s sth to worry about they can call in a prescription for antibiotics to a pharmacist so you can pick it up after work, without having to go to the vet. It should be possible. Explain to them about your work-situation. Vets too generally wants what’s in the best interest of the animal.

[Brandywine]

Take a photo and email it to the vet!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Roberta]

Good idea Brandywine. It might not have been infected before but if she has been having a good lick and nibble along there it could be. The vet should have some idea from the photo’s

[babybella]

Thanks for the advice! The whole area is started to get red now, so I’m pretty sure it’s infected. I spoke with the vet and made an appointment for tomorrow. She’s obviously well worth it, but who knew having a rabbit would be so expensive!!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Best of luck at the vet!

And yes, they sure can be expensive!!!!!!!

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