Worried About my Bunny? Pleeeeease reply!

[Octopus Dumplings]

Hi,

I just got back from a two week holiday, to find that my 4 year old male bunny seems to have something wrong. First of all, I noticed that he seems to have possibly cut his nose, as on the side of it there is a small, single scab. So perhaps he scratched it accidentally or something, I am not sure. But he is still breathing fine, grooms the area as he would normally and is not showing any pain or discomfort, even when the area is touched.

But, I also noticed that on his left ear, at the bottom, at the rim of his ear, it seems to be a bit “crusty”, with a few small, dark scabs, which I think may be causing some minor discomfort, but I am not sure. And me, being a worrier, am just scared that maybe there is something wrong with my poor rabbit? First of all I thought that maybe he is starting to get VHD, due to the scab on his nose… but I checked his “private area”, and it seems completely normal. So, I have ruled that out. I also thought that maybe it could be ear mites? But the inside of his ear is clear and normal.

I am just worried for him, I’m scarethat there is maybe something wrong with him? It’s just he hasn’t been ill before. So, I am just concerned about the scab/crustiness on his nose, and the rim of his ear? Note that his other ear is fine, so perhaps his claws are too long and need to be clipped, could he have accidentally scratched himself? What do you guys think? Thanks in advance!

Plus, I know this is kinda weird, but there is a leaf stuck to the bottom of his back foot, and it won’t come off easily, any tips on getting it off without pulling out a load of fur?

 

[KatnipCrzy]

It is hard to tell anything from the photo- but he hurt his nose and ear on the same side?  Is he an indoor or outdoor bunny?  Did you have a petsitter taking care of him?

[jerseygirl]

You probably want to get him checked out. If your worried about his discomfort, get ahead on this. He might not be in pain but if it’s something like a mite infestation it could get uncomfortable fast. Especially ear mite. But even an injury can abscess fast. You might feel like you’re a worrier (so am i ;o) ) but better that and having him looked at now then have to deal with a more complex situation if left. VHD is pretty rapid onset and fatal within 24 hours. At least in this you don’t have to worry. Myxomatosis can cause skin lesions and swollen genitals – is that what you were thinking of? Are you in an area where he could be infected by this?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I think ruling out mites based on an owner looking at him (ie. not a vet) is premature. (also you said you checked his ‘private area’ for VHD-did you mean syphalis (VD/vent)you were checking for? I don’t think VHD starts in the genitals…I could be wrong though)

And there could be other reasons too–but definitely it’s not normal to have scabs-so I would make a vet appointment and just have him checked out.

[Octopus Dumplings]

Thanks for all the replies guys. When we were away, a family friend came in twice a day to give him food and water, he was staying in his outside run for the two weeks as he pretty much hates it in his hutch, and to save our family friend time and inconvenience having to transfer him from the run to the hutch frequently. And, I think I know what it is now. When I told my parents about his nose and ear, they told be that a fox had tried to dig into the run while we were away. So it is most likely that my bunny got clipped by the fox, or injured by trying to squeeze throse the tiny gap between the run and ground that the fox made trying to get in. However, I will continue to keep an eye on him, and if his symptoms get worse, or I notice anything else wrong, I’ll take him to the vet. Thanks so much for the replies, they really helped!

P.S. Sorry the picture quality is so bad… rubbish camera

[jerseygirl]

Oh goodness, that could have been really bad. I urge you to take him to the vet though. Those sores could get infected or if due to the fox, could have become infected from anything the fox carries. Did he have shelter in the run he could escape too? Not just from predators but also from the sun.

[Octopus Dumplings]

Yeah, he had shelter… we had a waterproof cover which also blocked out rain, provided shade, and blocked wind etc. that covered half of the run, he had a constant supply of hay, grass, fresh water, and food. And we also placed the hutch securely to one of the entrances to the run, so he could relax in his hutch if he wanted. He is used to spending a lot of time in his run. He didn’t escape while we were away. And after our family friend saw that a fox had tried to break in, he bordered the whole outside of the run with objects as to prevent another fox from digging under, or my rabbit digging out. He is acting his usual self, he’s active, eating and drinking normally, and there is not puss or discharge from any of the injuries. (Note that they are only small and minor as well). But I will keep a careful eye on him, and if anything seems to be wrong, or get worse, will take him to the vets.

[RabbitPam]

I agree that he needs to be seen by the vet. An infection can be internal, so it may not “look” worse, but be making him sick. Bunnies hide illness, so by the time you see it he could be much worse. Please have him checked.

[Octopus Dumplings]

Just an update… I decided to see how he got on the next few days and he has made a full recovery His nose is back to normal, ears back to normal, rabbit back to normal Thanks for all the help everyone!

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