Warning signs of tetanus in bunnies?

[UUAUE]

First post on here, so you guys don’t know me. But this isn’t really the time and place for introductions, so i’ll keep it short. I’ve got 2 lionhead bunnies, a male (Coco) and a female (S’mores). The one i’m worried about is Coco. We just took him to the vets literally a little over an hour ago, and on the way home, he managed to get a cut on one (or both) of his front paws. The carrier we took him in is really old, and has metal bars on the front that are all rusted over. I’m really worried he hurt himself on those. I’m already keeping a close eye on him, as I want to make sure his paws heal okay, and that he doesn’t get any infections, but i just want to know any warning signs for when i should take him back into the vets.

Like I said earlier, we just took him to the vets, as he needed to get a check up before getting neutered. Other than him having a couple fleas, he’s a rather healthy bun. He’s around 6 months old. I don’t think he has had any shots before, as we’ve never taken him in to go get shots, and i’m not sure if the place we got him (a local pet shop) gave him any shots at all. (I’m a first time bun owner, so i’m rather inexperienced. though i like to believe i’m doing my best)

I’m really, really worried about him, as i love both my bunnies so much. So any help you guys can give me will be appreciated! Thank you in advance!

[Bam]

Tetanus is caused by bacteria that occur naturally in soil. If the cage has been indoors and not had contact with soil or animal poop, there wouldn’t be a risk of tetanus. Horses can get tetanus from rusty barbed wire etc, but that’s because they’re outdoors. Rust is a good place for bacteria to linger on, but it’s not rust in itself that poses a danger.

Keep his wounds clean, you can use saline eye wash for humans or very diluted chlorhexidine or iodine. If you’re in a place where triple antibiotic ointment is available, you can put that on the wounds. Inspect daily. If you see signs of infection, such as swelling, excessive redness, seepage etc, bun could need an oral antibiotic. A vet would have to prescribe that. 

[UUAUE]

Thank you @bam ! Hearing that made me calm down quite a bit. Like I said before, I’ll keep a close eye on him, make sure he’s doing okay and everything. Again, thank you!

Plus, bit of an update: Found out what caused the bleeding. The 3rd claw on his left paw is bent backwards (so far backwards that it pains me to even look at it.) I accidentally made it bleed again while picking him up to check the wound, though it only bled for a little bit. My mom suggested we just leave it be, but i want to get advice from you guys. Should we try mending the claw back to where it was, try taking it off the rest of the way, or leave it be?

He seems to be doing fine otherwise. A bit spooked, but with being in pain that’s expected. I plan on getting him some bunny treats today tho, to try to make him feel better (however i’m unsure if he’ll even eat it, as i’ve given him stuff like baby carrots and a small chunk of green apple before, but he never ate them.)

[Bam]

Is Coco limping or holding the hurt paw up? If he’s refusing food you should call your vet. Buns must eat, it’s very important that they never have an empty stomach. If they don’t even take a yummy treat, something is wrong. It can be pain, and if he’s in that much pain, he needs a painkiller. Buns are not like dogs that can go a whole day or even a couple days without eating and then suddenly decide they’re hungry again.

If he does take treats and doesn’t limp or seem to be in pain, I think I’d leave the nail alone, and check the toe closely every day for swelling and pain etc. My Bam must’ve done sth similar before I got him, because he has a permanently backwards nail. It doesn’t seem to bother him.

The safest thing is of course to call the vet. If the toe is broken you don’t do much except let it heal, but sometimes a nail that’s broke off inside the quick can need to be extracted.

[Author]

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