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Open wound advice

RedFraggle

RedFraggle

Warren Veteran
Hi
My cousins rabbit Gus was found with a massive piece of skin missing (size of my cousins hand) this morning which I assume is due to a fox having lifted the lid of her hutch (it's a top opener) in the night and having a go (there is a know fox with cubs nearby). I suspect Gus kicked, the fox pulled back and the lid probably slammed on it's paws scaring it off.

The vet has checked the wound and it's ok and they're bathing twice a day and giving antbiotics. My main concern now is flies as this is an outdoor bun.

Any tips beyond net curtaining the run? There isn't anywhere in the house for her to go so she is outside in her hutch overnight and in a run all day but will be checked several times during the day.


Thanks
 
RedFraggle said:
Hi
My cousins rabbit Gus was found with a massive piece of skin missing (size of my cousins hand) this morning which I assume is due to a fox having lifted the lid of her hutch (it's a top opener) in the night and having a go (there is a know fox with cubs nearby). I suspect Gus kicked, the fox pulled back and the lid probably slammed on it's paws scaring it off.

The vet has checked the wound and it's ok and they're bathing twice a day and giving antbiotics. My main concern now is flies as this is an outdoor bun.

Any tips beyond net curtaining the run? There isn't anywhere in the house for her to go so she is outside in her hutch overnight and in a run all day but will be checked several times during the day.


Thanks
Click to expand...

I would probably tell your cousin not to let the bun out in the run at night until it's secured.

As for net curtains, could they maybe peg/staple some to the hutch front? Also, I think lavender is good at repelling flies. She could feed some to the bun or sprinkle it about. Obviously you can't rally use rearguard near open wounds, but maybe there is another repellent that can be used on the hutch/net?
 
A baby's pram net can be useful for the front of a hutch.

Oil of citronella - from the chemist - can be dotted around to repel flies, out of reach of the rabbits of course.
 
i would keep the bun indoors - definitely -

we had a wounded bun recently who then went on to get fly strike - despite all the protection we could use - he was even indoors - an outddors bun would definitely get fly strike.
 
parsnipbun said:
i would keep the bun indoors - definitely -

we had a wounded bun recently who then went on to get fly strike - despite all the protection we could use - he was even indoors - an outddors bun would definitely get fly strike.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know. I have said if it were mine they would be in and they are going to need to check every few hours at least.

They can't bring her in so is there anything they can do except net curtain the run? (I meant to actually tack it to the run so it's tight on).

The run is separate, she's shut in the hutch at night and in the run during the day. It was in the hutch the presumed fox got to her. I've suggested they fit a padlock already as it must've loosened the catch.

Will suggest the citronella.
 
RedFraggle said:
Yeah, I know. I have said if it were mine they would be in and they are going to need to check every few hours at least.

They can't bring her in so is there anything they can do except net curtain the run? (I meant to actually tack it to the run so it's tight on).

The run is separate, she's shut in the hutch at night and in the run during the day. It was in the hutch the presumed fox got to her. I've suggested they fit a padlock already as it must've loosened the catch.

Will suggest the citronella.
Click to expand...

Can they place the hutch IN the run?

Poor bun. :( If they haven't secured it tonight, the fox will be back. I don't think there's much else you can do tbh apart from try to convince them to get some indoor housing for her until she heals..if she lasts the night. :(
 
Vegan_Bunny said:
Can they place the hutch IN the run?

Poor bun. :( If they haven't secured it tonight, the fox will be back. I don't think there's much else you can do tbh apart from try to convince them to get some indoor housing for her until she heals..if she lasts the night. :(
Click to expand...

Yep, that's my worry. They're putting something heavy on top of the hutch and making sure it is done up properly.
 
Could you keep her at yours (indoors) until she is healed? When I was a child, my pony had an open wound and got flystrike... it was horrific, she ended up with a big gaping hole in her chest that we needed to flush several times a day with salt water, as the flies just kept coming back and laying more eggs, they'd hatch within hours.

If she does get flystrike and still cannot be brought indoors, I would suggest they put her to sleep, as even if she is saved she will just get it again, and it really is not fair.

If she is to remain outside for now, I think it would be best to allow her no access to her run. Make sure they net the hutch securely, put citronella oil over the outside of the hutch and clean her out twice a day, as well as checking her constantly.

Please keep us updated, I hope she is okay during the night.
 
I would be putting manuka honey on the wound and one of the natural fly repellent creams (horsey, I use naf) around the wound to keep flies off. Second the question about keeping them at yours while they're injured.
 
My family all live 5 hours from me. Otherwise I'd be round with a dog crate for them and would of course be doing more.
The hutch is tiny.

They have done good things for this rabbit. It was inherited from another cousin aged 5 (the rabbit not the cousin), thought to be an unvaccinated unneutered male that ate muesli and lived predominantly in the hutch. It is now a spayed female, vaccinated and spends 14 hours a day in a large run and eats 80% hay.
 
Could the rabbit not stay in the bathroom until it's healed?
Only place I can think of in a non rabbit proof house.
 
I suggested the bathroom already as that was my first thought. I also suggested emptying the conservatory and moving the run into there.
 
RedFraggle said:
My family all live 5 hours from me. Otherwise I'd be round with a dog crate for them and would of course be doing more.
The hutch is tiny.

They have done good things for this rabbit. It was inherited from another cousin aged 5 (the rabbit not the cousin), thought to be an unvaccinated unneutered male that ate muesli and lived predominantly in the hutch. It is now a spayed female, vaccinated and spends 14 hours a day in a large run and eats 80% hay.
Click to expand...

That is good at least. I do hope they decide to buy a more sturdy, secure (and larger!) hutch in the future if the bun survives.

Sending lots of vibes her way. x
 
I've seen worse. It's probably 3.5 to 4 foot but is high off the ground and has 2.5 foot head height surprisingly. Gus is in it overnight and is much better cared for than previously. It is by no means ideal but if advice isn't taken there's not much to be done. Equally I've not managed to convince another friend her female bun should be neutered.
Gus was fine overnight, wound is looking clean and nice.
 
RedFraggle said:
I've seen worse. It's probably 3.5 to 4 foot but is high off the ground and has 2.5 foot head height surprisingly. Gus is in it overnight and is much better cared for than previously. It is by no means ideal but if advice isn't taken there's not much to be done. Equally I've not managed to convince another friend her female bun should be neutered.
Gus was fine overnight, wound is looking clean and nice.
Click to expand...

Yes, you can only advise. :( It is a shame, she could have a brilliant life if they just improved a few things. It is much better than where she came from and well done to them for spaying her, vaccinating her and seeking medical attention.

Sending fast healing vibes. This weather is a breeding ground for flies. :(
 
She's being PTS this morning. Run free Gus.

Update: Vet got all maggots, they were round her vulva. Hutch now in dining room. Fingers crossed.
 
Last edited:
RedFraggle said:
She's being PTS this morning. Run free Gus.

Update: Vet got all maggots, they were round her vulva. Hutch now in dining room. Fingers crossed.
Click to expand...

Sending tons and tons of vibes. It's a shame it took her getting flystrike for them to move her indoors. :( Really hoping she pulls through. x
 
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