NEED HELP - 7 day old Holland Lop Kit with toe issues....

[jimmywalt]

We have 7 day old Holland Lop kits. One of them has 2 toes on EACH of it's back feet that are black at the tips and fused together.

We took some warm baby wipes to one foot thinking that it was poop stuck to the toes because you could see the tiny toe nails... Turns out the 2 toes must have been dead and in the baby wipe came off.

I about got sick to my stomach so we didn't mess with the other foot.

The kits have been kept in the nest box in our house (to keep them warm) since 24 hours after birth.

What do we do??? The kit is big and very healthy. We don't want to "cull" it (and never have culled one before). So can it live with 2 back toes on one foot and the other foot with 2 alive and 2 dead?

HELP Please. Thank you!

 

[Zass]

I think pictures would be really helpful for this one

 

[jimmywalt]

Come on Zass.......... I didn't want to have to look at them again. I have a very weak stomach. :x

Here you go....

 

[Zass]

Well, I can say that you don't have to even consider euthanasia at this point. If it was perhaps physically damaged and things don't go any further, the kit won't be too bad off or having lost just that.


It's probably safe to clean the dead toes off the other foot and use an antiseptic to help sterilize the wounds.

 

[jimmywalt]

So just leave the black toes alone????

Did I understand that you think the other 2 (missing) will grow back? Not sure I understand.

Thank you!

 

[Zass]

Oops, I was still editing. I don't think the bones will grow back, but I do think the foot will be able to compensate. I bet it would be hard to even notice when he's an adult (at least until nail trimming time )

I'm interested in hearing what some of the more experienced members have to say.
You might want to leave them alone until some of the others weigh in.

I'm wondering about it though... maybe the damage was done when it was newborn? The wound under the broken toes looks like it's well on it's way to healing.

 

[Dood]

The toe tips died off for some reason - constricted by a string of fur or pinched hard enough to break blood vessels but normally only one side would be involved and since both feet were affected the same way it is more likely from frost bite.

I'd put a dab of proviodine on them and monitor for infection.

The damage is permanent but the bunny should not have any disability that would necessitate culling.

 

[Sagebrush]

JMPO but I would take off the other two dead toes. Necrotic tissue is not good to keep on a living thing. Use the proviodine like Dood said. Keep it clean and they will heal well. He has the outer toes to help with balance, I don't believe that missing his inner toes will effect him that much.

 

[Marinea]

I agree with the others. The area around the toes looks good. I would "clean" the other foot, and monitor for infection.

Don't beat yourself up about this. Things happen, sometimes unpleasant things, beyond our control or our ability to predict.

 

[JenerationX]

JMPO but I would take off the other two dead toes. Necrotic tissue is not good to keep on a living thing. Use the proviodine like Dood said. Keep it clean and they will heal well. He has the outer toes to help with balance, I don't believe that missing his inner toes will effect him that much.

I agree.

 

[jimmywalt]

We don't have providine. What household item can we use?

 

[user 3309]

Would rubbing alcohol work to clean the area before you remove it? Dab it on a cotton ball or 2x2 gauze pad.

 

[katiebear]

Rubbing alcohol will burn.Maybe peroxide or Bactien .You can use it but blow on it as you work to dry it faster... I would put on blue Kote after cleaning.