Open wound...

You may have seen my post about ShyBoy who went to the vets today with what I thought was an abscess I'd not noticed. Turns out theres something going on with his front right leg and my vet suspects he has a tumour in the bone, but cant be certain without xray, but she doesn't want to sedate him even slightly. He also has quite a large patch (about 50p) of infected tissue, the skin and fur just peeled away leaving this red raw patch. It was a little bit of this I'd found while grooming him this evening, which I thought was an abscess scab. He's on baytril and metacam and the vet said the best thing for the wound was to leave it open. Now I'm worrying thats not the best thing for it. What if he gets bedding, or dirt, or fur stuck to it?

One other question... We got 3 chickens about a month ago, they haven't been free in the garden yet (and will alternate with the rabbits when I do let them out) But since Dino's sudden death shortly after their arrival, and now this, is there any possibility that theres some kind of bacteria/virus/anything getting from the chickens to bunnies? The rabbits have run past the chicken run but not come into contact, and the cleaning equipment is seperate??

I have rabbits chickens and turkeys and have never had a problem with the birds giving the rabbits any disease, but it could be possible that the chickens are passing a disease. Do you have the rabbit cages next to the chicken pins?

Staphylococcosis ??

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Bacterial/Staphylococcosis.htm

The rabbits are at the opposite end of the garden, about 15ft away from the chickens. Thank you Jane, might see if my vet is able to test for that.

Chickens and rabbits should generally not be missed due to contagions between the two

An open wound in a rabbit needs some careful maintenance.

Ideally the fur surrounding the wound should be shaved away so that it doesn't stick in the wound and affect the healing process, and it should ideally be kept covered in a sterile gel like hydrogel (aquagel), although bun may need a collar to ensure they don't keep grooming, and keeping the wound open.

Has the vet given bun some pain relief?

He is on metacam and baytril. I've spoken to my vet this morning and she thinks I'm clutching at straws. She's certain that we are doing the best for him. Just have to trust her I suppose.