Kit born with an open wound?

[MamaMandy]

Anyone ever have a kit born with what appears to be a small open wound on his back? I've been treating it with an antibiotic ointment. Of course, the fur in the nest box keeps sticking to the sore and if I pull the fur off it begins to bleed. I want it to heal so I just try to put the ointment on as best as I can.

 

[MaggieJ]

Sometimes a kit gets stuck in the birth canal and momma rabbit has to pull it out. Because of the type of teeth rabbits have, this can leave a wound. It should heal okay with the antibiotic ointment, but watch to make sure the flies don't lay eggs in the wound or you could end up with maggots on the kit.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

make sure the flies don't lay eggs in the wound or you could end up with maggots on the kit.

Eww. Good point. If there is a feed store near you, there are many products made for horses which are dual purpose- they help heal wounds and repel flies at the same time.

 

[MamaMandy]

Thanks! I'm afraid it might be a peanut. It doesn't seem to have the use of it's back legs. The other 3 kits in the litter have plump full bellies but he's looking thin. I pulled the mama out and let him try to nurse and he frantically tries but doesn't stay latched on for long. I let him try at each teat but he doesn't seem to be getting much at all. His belly never looks full. There wasn't any real size difference initially so I didn't think he was a peanut, but now I'm starting to become suspicious.

 

[Devon's Mom Lauren]

Funny enough we just had two kits in a litter hurt that way. We have just left it alone and let it dry up/heal on its own. One has a bad slice on its shoulder and the other almost lost his ear!! But both are healthy and active so just letting it be. I figure the scabs and the stuck nest box fur will eventually come off on its own. Its amazing that the cuts actually healed up in less than a day!

 

[MamaMandy]

That's great! I realized after the first time I pulled off the fur and it began bleeding again that I should just leave the fur stuck on. It does seem to be healing. At this point I'm more afraid that he's actually a peanut and won't survive anyway.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I had a kit a few months ago that had suffered a similar injury. He also couldn't use his hind legs. I don't know if that was the case from the start, or it was only really noticeable after a day or so... but in any case, it died before it was even a little bit fuzzy- I noticed the lack of movement one day, and by the next morning it had died.

I breed Standard Rex, and as I understand it peanuts are found in dwarf breeds, so that wasn't a factor in the case of my kit.

 

[MamaMandy]

Interesting...I really don't think he's going to make it either.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I hope you have a better outcome. It is always sad to lose the little guys.

 

[MamaMandy]

Thanks, I know. One of my boys has already named it Lucky. I hope that name doesn't turn out to be ironic.<br /><br />__________ Mon May 28, 2012 10:19 pm __________<br /><br />Well, he's still living! He's so skinny though. I pulled the mama out and let him nurse. He never looks plump, but I did see milk on his mouth so I know he's getting something. I still am afraid he's a peanut. If he is, I know there is no hope for him, but at least he won't die hungry and thirsty. I can't stand that.

 

[-HRanchito]

So his parents are both dwarfs, I assume?

 

[MamaMandy]

Yes, they are Netherlands. The wound seems to be healing up. His hindquarters look weak, which I know is typical of peanuts, but his eyes and ears look normal. I'm just not sure...