Bunny has open wound after neuter

[kellyt]

Hello:

I have 2 flemish giant buns that are almost 12 weeks old and are brother and sister.  I have a girl named Minka and a boy named Jukka.  They both got fixed on Thursday.  We brought them home Thursday night and everything seemed fine.  They have both been separate and in their cages on rest since Thursday.  I was more concerned with Minka’s surgery since it was more invasive but it is my sweet boy Jukka who is having trouble.  I went to check his incision this morning and there is a hole there now (was almost pea size but is now a little larger) and there was white stuff (I’m assuming puss) all around the incision site.  It was a very frightening discovery and very unexpected.  I don’t know if he pulled his stitches out or if it swelled with puss and opened.  I called my vet and she gave me a prescription for Baytril and some silvadene cream to apply to the area.  She told me to call the emergency line if things got worse.  I will add that I have found my vet to be excellent in her field so I’m not placing any blame on her for this happening.

Has anyone dealt with anything similar to this? Does anyone have any other suggestions to help this heal? He really fought me on getting the Baytril until he finally tasted it and then was happy to eat the rest.  The wound does not smell or anything like that thankfully.  I don’t know if this is somewhat common and the medication and silvadene is the only thing to help or if there is something else I should be doing.  I feel like it should be sewn back together but I guess that may make things worse if there is infection in there.  I had a rabbit previously and dealt with some major issues with him including a limb amputation but none of his wounds ever got infected.  I’m hoping some more rabbit savy people on here may be able to give me some guidance.

Thanks so much,

Kelly, Jukka and Minka

[Michelle&Lolli]

Hi! Oh poor Jukka! You might want to try applying neosporin to the incision to help it heal. I don’t know if it would help with the infection per se, but it might. Also, try to keep his pen area as clean as possible. I know it’s very hard to do though. ((((Vibes for both your bunnies!))))

[Sarita]

I say stick with the silvadene that the vet prescribed. Usually there are 2 sets of stitches – the inside and the outside. I would also advice to keep him in his condo for the next few days to help the incision continue to heal.

[Beka27]

You did the right thing by contacting your vet. This isn’t entirely uncommon; stitches can either get pulled out by the bun or the incision can open if the bunny is jumping around post-neuter. Keep an eye on it and see if you can bring him in sometime this week if the vet wants to look at him.

(And I know I speak for most of the members here when I say… flemmie pics… PLEASE?!)

I am going to delete the duplicate thread in Q&A…

[LittlePuffyTail]

I had a problem with my Mini-Rex opening his incision right after he returned from the vet. I had to put an e-collar (cone) on him for over a week. Keep an eye on him to see if he is picking at and/or aggressively washing the area. If he is you may need to fit him with a cone or it won’t heal.

[kellyt]

Thank you everyone for the well wishes and the advice. I have an update on little Jukka. He went back to the vet today and has to have surgery again. The vet said they needed to debride the area to try and get the infection out. I left him with them this afternoon and am waiting to hear back. Unfortunately the vet had several emergencies in front of him this afternoon before they could squeeze him in. They were hoping to maybe be able to just sedate him with the gas and do it but said they likely would have to anesthesize him again. I feel so bad for him. His sister was very concerned with where I was taking him. They have been separated since last week when their hormones kicked in and then he had the open wound so they’ve been separated for that reason. I’m hoping everything will be fine with the surgery and this will take care of the issue and we won’t have any more problems. My luck with animals is unbelievable. If something unexpected or unusual can happen to them, one of mine will have the problem. Maybe they are drawn to me since they know I will take care of them. I tried to figure out how to post a picture of him but couldn’t figure it out without starting a new thread. Thanks again. I will update when I know something else.

Kelly, Jukka and Minka

[Michelle&Lolli]

Awww ((((hugs))) I’m sure he will do fine and Minka will get her brother back soon!

[kellyt]

Jukka is home again! He’s a little drugged acting but eating and drinking. I feel so bad for the little guy. Vet says that if he opens up again, we will have to let it heal open so here’s hoping that everything goes smoothly this time. He has to continue his antibiotics. Minka was happy to see him but I’m still keeping them separate until he heals up. She keeps going around trying to snuggle and groom the cats. One of them doesn’t mind but the others are wondering what she’s up to. Thanks again. I will let you guys know if anything changes. After he heals, I will have to work on re-bonding them.

[LittlePuffyTail]

((((continued healing vibes for Jukka))))))

[Beka27]

(((Jukka!)))

[kellyt]

I am happy to report that Jukka is feeling much better and is back to running the bunny 500 and binkying. We have one dose of baytril left and he should be fine. So happy the second surgery fixed things up and we didn’t have to deal with it healing open. I posted a picture of them over in the bonding section. Titled “rebonding a pair after spay and neuter; Minka and Jukka.” I am no technology wizard so it’s not a pretty thumbnail like yours or the best picture since it kept telling me my pictures were too large but it gives you an idea. Now I am on to the bonding issues. Thanks so much for the well wishes and advice. I really do appreciate it. I am happy to have found this forum.

Kelly, Minka and Jukka

[BinkyBunny]

Yeah! I would advise against allowing the bunny 500 and binkying to prevent a reopening, but it’s been about five days since the surgery is that right?

[kellyt]

He had the surgery Tuesday and today is the first day he’s been out since then, except for when he has gotten his medicine. He is definitely not full speed yet. He’s mostly rubbing his chin on everything to reclaim it as his. He seems to be self-limiting and I’ve been avoiding letting him do any major jumps that I can. He was going stir crazy in his cage. He is not happy with me for locking him up that long but I had to do it. I agree on limiting the binkying and running. I will do my best.

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