Ripped stitches

[Pearlandgravel]

My rabbit pearl got spayed 10days ago she was healing great was back to her normal self after 2 days but I caught her a few minute ago going at her wound and making a noise as well, she was biting at it like it was a treat I was shocked! I went to her and got some treats to distract her and I saw she had reopened it from the middle and there’s only stitches left in the top and bottom. It is bleeding and very red. I know the best thing for me to do is go to an out of hours vets but I don’t have £400 lying around so I will have to wait till the morning I just really want some help I don’t know what to do while I wait till the morning I have pain killers left over, should I clean the area? Please any help will be appreciated!

 

[Shimmer]

You can always ring an out of hours vet for advice and then decide what to do.

 

[bunny momma]

After ten days there should be some healing, so a lot has to do with what you mean by bleeding, if the bleeding has stopped, and the size and depth of the open area to whether you can wait until vet opens early Monday to assess the wound or if it requires immediate attention. You mentioned it is red, so it needs to be checked to see if there is a reason she was biting it open. As shimmer said, ideally you should do a phone consult tonight.

 

[Pearlandgravel]

After ten days there should be some healing, so a lot has to do with what you mean by bleeding, if the bleeding has stopped, and the size and depth of the open area to whether you can wait until vet opens early Monday to assess the wound or if it requires immediate attention. You mentioned it is red, so it needs to be checked to see if there is a reason she was biting it open. As shimmer said, ideally you should do a phone consult tonight.

I did phone them and covered the wound so she couldn’t get to it anymore and also put newspaper down so nothing can get into it! But sadly in the morning she had somehow chewed it more and her insides were almost out/ showing. She had to go back into surgery as her skin had turned black and there having to restitch her up. They think she had an infection as to why she was biting at it so much. I’m just hoping now she’s okay after and I get to take her home!

 

[Shimmer]

Poor Pearl. It's unusual for things to get so bad after so long. Usually any infection is picked up at the post-op check up, which tends to be after 2 or 3 days. Has she got some antibiotics to tide her over until everything heals?

I hope she makes a full recovery now. Make sure she is eating / pooing normally, and be prepared to do top up feeds for a day or two if necessary. Two sets of major surgery in 10 days is quite a lot for a rabbit and can set them back. She should also be sent home with some pain relief.

 

[bunny momma]

I am so sorry she got a bad infection and it kept it from healing properly. It also made it painful for Pearl resulting in her chewing the area.
I hope she has antibiotics and pain meds after this second surgery and that she can make a full recovery.

Be sure to check the wound twice a day and your vet should check it in a few days to make sure the infection has been eradicated.

Did vet suggest ways to keep her from chewing the incision until it fully heals?

Sending lots of positive vibes for your girl.

 

[Shimmer]

How is she doing now?

 

[Pearlandgravel]

How is she doing now?

she did amazing! I’m so greatful that it went so well and she started eating, pooing as soon as I got her home!!! I have got antibiotics and pain relief for her and hopefully we don’t have to go through that again! The vets actually didn’t say to make a check up appointment which my other buns did have. I was checking her everyday and I did see discharge which I thought was the normal healing but it was a sign of an infection that I missed I am quite annoying about how they have left the catheter in her ear which I only have seen this morning so I now have to go back and cause more stress to her but I do understand it was an emergency surgery and mistakes happen!

 

[Pearlandgravel]

I am so sorry she got a bad infection and it kept it from healing properly. It also made it painful for Pearl resulting in her chewing the area.
I hope she has antibiotics and pain meds after this second surgery and that she can make a full recovery.

Be sure to check the wound twice a day and your vet should check it in a few days to make sure the infection has been eradicated.

Did vet suggest ways to keep her from chewing the incision until it fully heals?

Sending lots of positive vibes for your girl.

Yes, I got antibiotics and pain relief!! She did amazing and she was eating properly as soon as I got home!! I will be watching her like a hawk i did ask for a bunny tshirt and they said it’s not good and they need it free for it to heal better other than that im hoping if she’s not in pain again she shouldn’t mess with it! They did leave the catheter in her ear which i didnt notice until this morning so now i do have to go back and get it removed which is a bit of a hassle but all i care about is making sure she heals well and stay well!!! Thank you!

 

[Shimmer]

I hope they don't charge for this visit, and hopefully they will check the wound again while you are there.

Rabbits are good chewers, so she would probably chew through a bunny body suit. It also irritates the stitches more as it catches on them, making it more likely that she will go for them again.

 

[Pearlandgravel]

I hope they don't charge for this visit, and hopefully they will check the wound again while you are there.

Rabbits are good chewers, so she would probably chew through a bunny body suit. It also irritates the stitches more as it catches on them, making it more likely that she will go for them again.

I wouldn’t pay or have any intention to pay, they don’t charge extra if they did take it out let alone they forgot and would charge me I’m hoping they give it a check! I haven’t seen any licking or chewing from her!

 

[bunny momma]

I am glad she is doing better. Sending positive

 

[Pearlandgravel]

I am glad she is doing better. Sending positive

Thank you! I’ve just checked it today and it doesn’t look right I’ll upload a photo but it looks reopened again, I don’t even know what to do at this point it’s been one day and it already looks like I’m going to have to bring her back in!

 

[bunny momma]

I am so sorry it reopened again. It must be so upsetting that this happened when the surgery was to give her a better life.
You need to get her to the vet right away. The vet may need to use stitches and surgical glue to keep the incision closed. They may also need to put another layer of stitches on the inside.

If you have not done so already, you also may need to restrict her space so she is not running or jumping

 

[Pearlandgravel]

I am so sorry it reopened again. It must be so upsetting that this happened when the surgery was to give her a better life.
You need to get her to the vet right away. The vet may need to use stitches and surgical glue to keep the incision closed. They may also need to put another layer of stitches on the inside.

If you have not done so already, you also may need to restrict her space so she is not running or jumping

I just got back from the vet she’s had it glued and now has a rabbit T-shirt, the vet also said she still has the infection which is why she’s still biting at it! I honestly would have never thought how much trouble this would be my male bunny was amazing I feel so terrible I just want her to get better! I also did go to a different vet and I’m very greatful they didn’t put it down as an emergency visit! Would you have any tips for taking medicine easier she takes her pain meds very well but as soon as the antibiotics come out she is a runner won’t even eat it off a treat! Thank you

 

[Shimmer]

It needs looking at again, I'm afraid. She will need restricted space for a while. It's also worth considering the cone of shame - not something that I've ever needed for a rabbit, but she's got to leave it alone until it closes.

 

[Shimmer]

Meds - I always find that it's easier to just get on with it. Get everything ready (so load up the syringes first and put eg on a plate), pick up the patient, hold firmly on a safe surface where you can easily get to the mouth. Insert first meds through the side of the mouth, insert next, etc. End on the nicest tasting (eg metacam, or some apple juice). Put rabbit back on the floor. Keep it all no nonsense and quick. Maybe offer some nice dandelion leaves or other favourite after the meds, and only after the meds, so she has something to look for immediately after.

She must be feeling OK if she's running away - so that's a good sign. Fingers firmly crossed that she's better in a few days.

 

[Omi]

Poor Pearl I also find that it's best to be firm with meds and just get on with it. I hope that she is soon healed and free of infection.

 

[Pearlandgravel]

Meds - I always find that it's easier to just get on with it. Get everything ready (so load up the syringes first and put eg on a plate), pick up the patient, hold firmly on a safe surface where you can easily get to the mouth. Insert first meds through the side of the mouth, insert next, etc. End on the nicest tasting (eg metacam, or some apple juice). Put rabbit back on the floor. Keep it all no nonsense and quick. Maybe offer some nice dandelion leaves or other favourite after the meds, and only after the meds, so she has something to look for immediately after.

She must be feeling OK if she's running away - so that's a good sign. Fingers firmly crossed that she's better in a few day

Meds - I always find that it's easier to just get on with it. Get everything ready (so load up the syringes first and put eg on a plate), pick up the patient, hold firmly on a safe surface where you can easily get to the mouth. Insert first meds through the side of the mouth, insert next, etc. End on the nicest tasting (eg metacam, or some apple juice). Put rabbit back on the floor. Keep it all no nonsense and quick. Maybe offer some nice dandelion leaves or other favourite after the meds, and only after the meds, so she has something to look for immediately after.

She must be feeling OK if she's running away - so that's a good sign. Fingers firmly crossed that she's better in a few days.

Okay so I just need to get it over and done with I always worry I’m hurting them I need to man up yes she’s been acting normal flopping everywhere binkies eating LOADS you would never think she has an infection! Thank you

 

[Pearlandgravel]

Poor Pearl I also find that it's best to be firm with meds and just get on with it. I hope that she is soon healed and free of infection.

Her antibiotics is only 5 days I feel like it’s not long enough