At My Wits End...what is going on????

[Frecs]

Back in the summer I posted asking about what might have caused some sores on the back leg of my Silver Fox buck, Skipp. At the time, the best guess I could come up with was urine burn from laying on a tile that he'd pee'd on. The sore healed up and the fur re-grew and all seemed well with the world. A month ago, it reappeared and then healed. Today, I go out and his leg is dripping blood from a quarter size wound. Same leg, same area. I no longer believe the problem is urine burn. I can't imagine a wild animal is causing the damage or the other rabbits would surely have been injured as well. Either he is doing this to himself, or a rabbit in the cage to either side is doing it.

WHAT GIVES? Why is this happening? and, more importantly -- what can I do to stop it? Skipp is my sweetest SF and I hate to see him going through this and can't stand the idea of having to cull him.

I put him in a travel cage with hay and brought him into the house. The cage small enough to keep him from continuing to chew on himself if that is what is happening.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

He might have fungus and it is itchy

 

[Frecs]

I've not seen anything odd --definitely not "fungus-y"-- on his fur or skin...I've also not seem any signs of parasites -- no lice or mites or fleas or ... I did wonder about the possibility of something itching him but I just don't see anything...

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

Just because you cant see it with a naked eye. Doesnt mean it isnt there. Can you take a pic

 

[Frecs]

Just because you cant see it with a naked eye. Doesnt mean it isnt there. Can you take a pic

If I can't see it, how can I know it is there? or what to treat? I'm so confused and upset and he is clearly hurting and frightened. I just want to help him. I've researched and asked anyone I can ask...and a rabbit friend has asked her connections and no one seems to have a clue....please someone have an answer! Here are pics:



Here is what his other back leg looks like -- hair loss on it but no sore (yet)


This is what the sore looked like this summer:

 

[Mickey328]

I wonder if the original sore didn't get like a "dry socket"...the outer part healing over an internal abcess. If so, it would have appeared to be fine but the infection would continue and eventually the pressure would itch like mad, causing him to chew at it till it broke open again. Is there a bad smell to it? It does look infected to me.

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

Is there a hole in it that goes deaper? Could he have gotten a bot fly at some point and then it got infected? I would personally treat the wound for infection. There is stuff called Cut heal that you can get at TSC that is a liquid that you put on. It is all natural and amazing stuff for healing wounds. It will help it heal properly and help with the infection as well. And give him some Penicillian as well.

I would then use some DE on him at the very least incase the cause is paracites.

Make sure that if there is a hole that is deeper to flush it well with batadine with a syringe to get it good and clean. Then pat off the batadine and put the cut heal on covering all surfaces. YOu dont want the infection to hide in any holes.

I hope this helps and good luck with your bunny.

 

[Frecs]

I wonder if the original sore didn't get like a "dry socket"...the outer part healing over an internal abcess. If so, it would have appeared to be fine but the infection would continue and eventually the pressure would itch like mad, causing him to chew at it till it broke open again. Is there a bad smell to it? It does look infected to me.

I have not noticed a smell but it definitely doesn't look good. <br /><br />__________ Sun Nov 25, 2012 10:05 pm __________<br /><br />

Is there a hole in it that goes deaper? Could he have gotten a bot fly at some point and then it got infected? I would personally treat the wound for infection. There is stuff called Cut heal that you can get at TSC that is a liquid that you put on. It is all natural and amazing stuff for healing wounds. It will help it heal properly and help with the infection as well. And give him some Penicillian as well.

I would then use some DE on him at the very least incase the cause is paracites.

Make sure that if there is a hole that is deeper to flush it well with batadine with a syringe to get it good and clean. Then pat off the batadine and put the cut heal on covering all surfaces. YOu dont want the infection to hide in any holes.

I hope this helps and good luck with your bunny.

I don't see a hole...how big of a hole does a bot fly make? I'll get some of that Cut heal and treat him for infection. I have DE but wasn't sure about using it on rabbits. I'll give him a dusting since it is safe to use.

It does help very much. Thanks!

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

Make sure its the food grade DE not the pool stuff. Glad I could help.

I had a horse peel his forehead back on a fence post clear to the skull and I used cut heal on it. I slathered the stuff on and laid the skin and flesh back down. It healed over just as nice as can be. I have been using the stuff on animals for a good 20+ years now. Its great in the summer because it repels flies as well.

 

[Frecs]

I looked at the company website for Cut Heal and could not locate any info on the ingredients. Also, they have several products...which one am I looking for? spray, ointment, horse, canine, ???

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

http://www.tractorsupply.com/cut-heal-r ... z--6610031

Its the cut heal multi care stuff.

Ingredients:
Crude fish oil, raw linseed oil, tea tree oil, balsam of fir.



Cut-Heal Multi+Care

After 35 plus years of remarkable wound care results and numerous product awards for performance Cut Heal's Multi+Care continues to be the product of choice! Wound care without bandaging that provides a protective barrier; reduces the attractiveness of the wound for flies; discourages licking and biting of an irritated area and in most cases hair regrowth comes back in the original color. "Hard To Beat Cut Heal!"
http://www.cut-heal.com/multi_care.htm

This is the one I buy because I like the dabber it comes with for horses who are afraid of sprays. But the spray will work just fine for you and can be found local.
http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html ... cut%20heal

 

[Frecs]

Found it at Ace Hardware! So happy. TSC is ssoooo far away but Ace Hardware is in town.

 

[AnnClaire]

It's been a few days, how is it going?

 

[ZRabbits]

Hope all is well and you see some progress of healing.

Karen

 

[Frecs]

We are seeing healing. The wound itself is healing and indications of infection around the wound is also much reduced. He gets a little testy with me when I put the ointment on. This morning, I gave him a tummy rub before and after to help it not be so bad. He really liked that. Then he and the others (they get so jealous if they are left out) get a treat -- yesterday it was a bit of carrot, today it was rosebush.

I never did (and still do not) see anything that looks like a tunnel made by a bot fly larvae so the source of the problem is still a mystery. I am hoping that this time we get all the infection out and there won't be a repeat performance.

 

[ZRabbits]

Thanks for the update. So glad to hear that he's healing.

Hoping the infection is completely out and there will be no more repeat performances.

Karen