Is this normal???

[Cheesecake]

Okay, so I just picked up Earl from the vets and they said that, although he had a larger appetite than any bunny they had ever seen , he had been a very naughty bun and lengthened his stitches (I assume this meant pulled them out a bit) they then just said to keep a close eye on him and make sure it doesn’t open. When I came home to have a look at the wound, there was a little bit of blood on it, it wasn’t dripping off or anything, and it didn’t even cover his whole ball. Is this okay or do I need to take him back to the vets?
Also, he’s eating completely normally so do I still need to give him unlimited pellets?
Any advice is greatly appreciated… I’m freaking out a bit

[Bam]

It’s hard to say without a good picture, but can you see if the incision has opened up at all? If it has you should call your vet. If the wound is still closed, a little bit of blood is normal.

If he’s eating like normal you don’t have to give unlimited pellets. You can give him a little extra because anesthesia and wound-healing does take a little bit of a toll, but he shouldn’t be allowed to pig out completely. That could result in tummy trouble.

A good appetite is a great sign. He mustn’t chew his stitches, if he does he might need more pain relief. Did you get some Metacam to take him?

[Cheesecake]

Hi – I watched him some more and he was properly tugging the stitches out. I took him to the vets and they’ve given him a collar… which he chewed off after 15 minutes. He’s going to chew through his stitches again! What should I do? This is super urgent

[Bam]

You can try to make a collar of a head band, I know people here have had to do that. And obviously try to distract him. Monitor him so he doesn’t strangle himself with the headband -it might be best if you can keep him in a carrier or such like, near you.

Have you got painkillers for him?

[Cheesecake]

I haven’t got painkillers, the vet never mentioned them. I’m going into work tomorrow (now realising that was a massive mistake) so I won’t be able to watch him. I’ve stuffed some tights and wrapped them round his neck – but that falls off after 20 mins

[Bam]

You should try to get him some Metacam but it’s of course difficult if ithe vet is closed, it’s a prescription med. He probably was given some after the surgery, but it could’ve been too little. Rabbits metabolize Metacam quicker than cats and dogs. Insufficient pain relief can cause an animal to be preoccupied with the surgical wound. Sometimes vets don’t give rabbits pain meds, but it’s old fashioned not to.

You shouldn’t leave him to himself all day tomorrow if he keeps trying to get to his wound. Do you know anyone who could bunsit him?

[Cheesecake]

Hmm I’ll look into it. Ive laid out loads of things to keep him busy through the night. This might seem like a stupid question, but could I dissolve half an aspirin in his water?
Thanks so much for all your help

[Bam]

I’d not use aspirin, it’s a potent blood-thinner and not suitable for anyone who’s just had surgery.
Here’s a list of bunny safe analgesics:
http://www.medirabbit.com/Safe_medication/Analgesics/safe_analgesics.htm

I hope he’s doing better today.

[Cheesecake]

He’s doing so much better! I was able to leave him alone and he didn’t touch his stitches He’s not completely himself though, whenever I pet him he sits by me for a couple of minutes then runs of, flicking his heels at me! Is that okay? He also hasn’t given me a single bunny kiss When will he be back to his normal self?

[Mikey]

Hehe, flicking his heels means he is a little mad. Its nothing to be sad about, he is likely just unhappy about the surgery. As his pain and discomfort dies down, he will start to go back to his normal self For some bunnies, this is a few days, for others this can take a month or so. But, he is letting you pet him so he is not mad at you at all, likely just mad at the situation

How is the wound looking today? For our cones to stay on, we use the top ring of a cut sock, or a thick hair scrunchy. Make sure if you use either of these that you test it out around your hand and wrist first. You dont want it to be tight around your wrist, and you want to be comfortable but slightly tight around the lower bit of your hand (depending on the size of your bunnies head and neck). Tight enough the bun cant pull it off, but loose enough that it doesnt choke the bun. For make shifts that only need to hold for an hour or two, ive used paper plates i turned into cones then cut off the pointed part to slide the buns head in

[Cheesecake]

Hiya Mikey, thanks so much for the advice I don’t think chewing is going to be an issue anymore – it was probably just an interest that he’s now bored of. I hope he recovers soon… not loving this new sassy phase. He did a couple of mini binkies earlier, is that okay? I don’t want him to tear the wound open. As for the appearance of the scar – ones a light pink and the others got a bit of a purple tint to it. They’re both about the size of a small broad bean.

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