Rabbit Lost A Nail – Really Scared

[13Tskhmaster]

Hello, everyone. This is my first post on BinkyBunny.com, and I am very happy to be a part of this community!

I am the proud owner of an older bunny named Lucy. I love Lucy very much, and I have had her for many years. I worry a great deal about Lucy’s health and wellbeing; my anxiety disorder makes me extremely paranoid about these things.

On Friday night, I learned Lucy (an outdoor rabbit) had lost a toenail on her back, right foot. The toe was swollen, so Lucy was taken to the vet. The vet told us Lucy’s heart and lungs were perfectly healthy, and he trimmed her nails. Lucy received three medications that she is to take daily. The vet said he wants to see Lucy again in 10 days, when the medications run out.

Now that Lucy is back home, the swelling on her injured toe has gone down. Lucy takes her medications like the good girl she is, and she is kept as comfortable and safe as possible. She is helped into her hutch every morning and every night, and she seems to be able to move around okay. However, Lucy tries her best to stay off her injured foot. 

Since I am a college student, I cannot be around Lucy as much as I would like to be. I therefore receive daily updates on her condition from my parents, who love her as much as I do but do not always word things in comforting ways. My anxiety has been going crazy as a result; I am extremely worried about Lucy. My brain is jumping to the worst conclusions. I don’t want to think my special girl is in any serious pain or harm, especially given her old age. I would appreciate any help dealing with this matter that can be provided! Prayers for Lucy’s swift recovery and return to her normal, happy self would mean a lot! Thank you! 

[jerseygirl]

Of course! Sending some healing {{{vibes}}} over for your Lucy. She looks really sweet!

It’s not uncommon for rabbits to tear off a nail. I actually had it happen recently with one of my rabbits. He got his nail caught when running down the ramp for his morning pellets. He didn’t care! But it did concern me, of course.

It’s good you got Lucy checked out when you noticed it became inflammed. It’s also good you’ve seen the swelling go down. It means she is healing nicely. Im guessing the vet gave some antibiotics just as a precaution?

Do you have an idea of how old she might be?

[13Tskhmaster]

This post has been removed because it provided misinformation.

[13Tskhmaster]

Thank you for sending the healing vibes! Lucy is indeed as sweet as can be, and she is about 12 or 13 years old. She is still going strong despite this injury, and she takes a grand total of three medications. One reduces swelling, another is a painkiller, and the last fights infection.

[jerseygirl]

That’s a great age!

Her nails just might be more brittle then. It was my 10yr old lop that lost his recently. I checked it at the time and stemmed the bleeding. But when I checked a day later, I noticed he actually has 2 nails gone.
I notice older rabbits have more hollow nails when trimming them, so they’re probably not as strong in general.

[13Tskhmaster]

That follows. We’ll have to be mindful of that in the future. I just wish this incessant paranoia would stop…

[13Tskhmaster]

The latest report from my parents is that Lucy is eating, seems to be moving more spritely, and is continuing to take her medicine. However, she seems to be defecating less than normal, at least in my mother’s opinion. We are hoping this is just a side-effect of the medications and not indicative of anything serious. We might call the vet to see what he thinks; right now, I am trying to get my worries under control…

[Bam]

Antibiotics always do disrupt the GI microbiota to some extent, so if she’s getting antibiotics it’s likely small poops is a side effect.

[13Tskhmaster]

It’s not so much smaller ones as it is less of them. Is that still to be expected? The day after Lucy first went to the vet, she seemed to be defecating everywhere.

[13Tskhmaster]

Here’s the latest: my parents say Lucy is behaving normally, save for her injury. However, they are taking Lucy back to the vet to make sure her legs are ok. I am really, really scared right now…

[XmariyahX]

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