Injured Kit

[CarsLops]

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking around here for a while now and finally decided to join, as I'm in need of everyone's wisdom. I had a litter of three mini lops born April 16th. We lost one within the day (he was tiny and I wasn't surprised). As it was cold, at least for only two kits,I brought the nest box in the house. The nest box was placed in a cage and put in a shut room. Sometime during the day this past Wednesday, the door was left open and a cat got in. He could not directly get to the kits, but was able to stick his arm through the bars and claw the kits. One was killed and the other was injured. He has a torn ear, a small cut on his rear foot, and a larger wound on his chest/front leg. I have been applying antibiotic cream and keeping him warm. He is nursing from the doe and opened his eyes today. He is also grooming himself and hopping around the box. I am worried about infection. His ear and foot are healing nicely, but I am concerned about he chest wound, although it does seem to be healing as well. Is there anything else that I should be doing to ensure he survives? How will I know if he has an infection? He is ten days today. His ear is torn, so he can't be shown, but I've grown so fond of him after all he and the litter have gone through that he'll get to stay as a pet (something I never do). Sorry that this is so long. I had hoped to have my first post something more cheery.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

:welcome: CarsLops!

Glad you finally came out of :hiding: but sorry an injured kit forced the issue.

I'm sorry you lost a kit to the cat. Poor little guy.

It sounds like you have the situation well in hand. Keep applying the ointment, or buy some Blu-kote or Vetericyn at a feed store. Both work very well.

If the wound becomes infected it should be quite obvious- rabbits develop a thick toothpaste like pus.

If you post a picture we can evaluate the injury further and may have more recommendations.

If something like this happens in the future, you can use Superglue on a fresh wound to draw the lips of the wound together. This is not an effective treatment once healing has begun.

Sorry that this is so long.

We don't mind long posts here, but if you break them up into smaller paragraphs it is easier to read than long blocks of text.

 

[CarsLops]

Thanks for the quick response! Everyone here is great! I'll be sure to do smaller paragraphs.

I'm glad to hear that I'll be able to tell if there's an infection. That's my main concern at this point and I've never had a rabbit with a wound.

Keep applying the ointment, or buy some Blu-kote or Vetericyn at a feed store.

Would either of those work better than the ointment? I could run to my local Tractor Supply. Sorry if I did the quote wrong. I'm still learning.

I'll get some pictures as soon as possible.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I swear by Vetericyn and Blu-kote. They are the two items I use most frequently for wound care. Unlike ointment, they dry with no residue so fur or hay will not stick to the wound.

Vetericyn is quite pricey, but Blu-kote is pretty reasonable. The downside of Blu-kote is that it is messy to apply even though it is in an aerosol can- wear gloves or you will have purple fingers for days!

 

[CarsLops]

Unlike ointment, they dry with no residue so fur or hay will not stick to the wound.

To me that's enough of a reason to run and get some.

Do either of those store well? If so, I wouldn't mind paying the money for a good product that I can have on hand for emergencies. Although, I hope to never have an emergency again.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Do either of those store well?

Yes. I have had my Blu-kote for years for our horses, and have had the Vetericyn for about a year now. Store out of direct sun in a cool place for best results.

 

[Marinea]

So sorry that this is the reason you decided to join us. It is always sad to lose one so young.

I second the Blu-Kote. It works well and is less messy (after the initial spray, that is).

*fingers crossed for the kit*

Oh, and welcome to RT!

 

[CarsLops]

Thanks for the warm welcome! I ran to Tractor Supply and got some Blu-kote. It is so much better than using the ointment! He always looked like a drowned rat because it messed up his fur, but, besides being blue in places, he looks better now

I wasn't thinking and put the Blu-kote on before taking pictures, so now you can't tell anything by looking at them. If it wears off some tomorrow, I'll try again.

But now I have a new question: how do I get my hands un-blue :lol:

 

[Marinea]

I use disposable surgical type gloves to avoid those types of issues.

I am not sure what you can use to un-blue...mineral spirits maybe? No idea.

 

[Miss M]

:lol: I think it has to wear off.

:welcomewagon: Welcome to RabbitTalk!

 

[DitchDoc]

I'm told Garnier Nutrise (sp?) Eye Makeup Remover cloths will take it off right away, but I have not had any personal experience with it. The coloring is a dye, Methyl Violet. Let us know if you try the Garnier, yes?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

The downside of Blu-kote is that it is messy to apply even though it is in an aerosol can- wear gloves or you will have purple fingers for days!

But now I have a new question: how do I get my hands un-blue :lol:

Ahem!

I tried to warn you! :lol:

This morning, I found a kit with a partially missing toe on a hind foot, so had to apply Blu-kote. I put a latex glove on my right hand to prevent blow-back from staining my hand, and held the little bun with my left (ungloved) hand... we-e-ll, what do you think happened? The little bugger kicked his back legs and gave me a good swipe of color on the back of my hand!

I put the little guy back in the cage with his mom and immediately scrubbed my hand with Ivory soap on a teflon-safe scrubby-sponge, which took most of it off. About half an hour later I took a shower, and that got the rest of it off.

I think that if immediate action is not taken, the dye seeps into your pores and you are doomed to be blue for a few days. Sorry.

But at least the kit is doing better, so that makes it worth it, right?

 

[CarsLops]

But at least the kit is doing better, so that makes it worth it, right?

It is soo worth it! How is your injured one doing? Hope everything is healing well.

I'm told Garnier Nutrise (sp?) Eye Makeup Remover cloths will take it off right away

I didn't have that exactly, but putting lotion on then washing and scrubbing my hands really helped.

That kit is healing wonderfully, but it seems that the doe has stopped producing milk or at least is not producing enough to feed him enough. I'm giving her parsley and dandelion greens and am supplementing him with evaporated goat milk. He won't eat the oats soaked in goats milk, but hopefully he will start soon. I'm fairly certain that he's nibbling the hay. He is lively and always warm, so I'm not too worried.

He will be 14 days tomorrow and it will be warm starting tomorrow, about 70. He's still in the house and is pretty well healed. Do you think it will be OK to put him in with his mom? He's been getting out of the box for days now.

Again, that you so much to everyone!