My rabbit got a wound from fighting. What can I do without a vet?

Thanks for reaching out about Bun Bun. A wound needs to be kept clean. Gently clipping hair around the wound to prevent hair contamination. Gently clean with mild soap and warm water. Do not apply any topical antibiotics as many can infect the rabbit's gastrointestinal tract if ingested. The rabbits might need to be separated. Altering both rabbits might decrease aggression. If the wound worsens or Bun Bun becomes ill, a veterinary visit is mandatory. Good luck.

Ouch! Those definitely look like fighting wounds. The ear one is a little deep and could become infected. I would try to keep it clean and treat it with some triple antibiotic ointment if you can. If you see that it is not clearing up or it is getting worse, systemic drugs could be required. If you see that he is starting to scratch at the ear due to pain or bother, he is going to require an e-collar. Depending on the size of the rabbit, it may be hard to fine one that fits commercially. Fortunately, you will be able to find instruction on how to create a homemade one if the time comes. In terms of their behavior, definitely keep them separated until you get them fixed. Once that it is done, you can try to reintroduce them, but do so slowly and over at least a couple of weeks. It should be done so under close supervision as well to avoid any more bunny injuries.

Oh gosh! I am so sorry to hear this! Rabbits should not be given any over the counter pain medication- it can be fatal to them. Do you have hair or beard clippers? #40 blade is best but a 10 will do the job. Put her in a dim room but enough light for you to see what you are doing. Clip/shave all the hair around the wounds. Use warm water to compress and clean the wounds. If you have the opportunity to have her evaluated by a veterinarian that would be ideal. Sometimes equine veterinarians will help with the rabbits too . Getting the fur off can really help decrease the chance of infection as well as allows you to see what is going on and if it is improving or getting worse. Keep her indoors so flies can’t get to the wound. Best of luck and I hope she improves soon! Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Hi, and thanks for your question. Even though a picture of the wound itself would help to understand better the underlying cause, this presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). An immediate check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear about your situation - that's pretty rough. It is very kind of you to worry about a poor bunny when you are having problems of your own. Depending on the depth of the wound, how old it is, and how dirty it is, it may not require any therapy or possible could require closure and systemic drugs. If going to the vet is out of the question, I would simply do your best to keep the area clean. If possible, clip all the hair that is surrounding the wound to promote sterility as best as possible. If Sweet Pea is capable of scratching at or licking at the affected area, he will need to be fit with a collar or covering device to prevent self-mutilation. Lastly, you can try to obtain some some triple antibiotic ointment, possibly one with a steroidal component, to help with healing and itchiness. If things do not seem to heal or there are obvious signs of infection, you will need to find a way to obtain veterinary assistance. Infections in rabbits can spiral out of control very quickly so keep a close eye out for discharge, heat, pain, or inflammation surrounding the lesion.

It would be more helpful if you could post a couple photos of the wound. That way we can give you better advice. Treatments vary depending on how deep the wound is. In general it is best to clean it with Betadine 7.5% skin cleanser (use as directed on label) and then apply a thin layer of Betadine 5% antiseptic cream. http://ph.betadine.com/en/ph/wound-care If the area looks red or swollen at any time or you notice a bad odor with yellow/green discharge then you need to get Buggs to a vet for an exam. Best wishes.

Poor Shu! I can see that the growth is relatively large and inflamed. It also appears to have a bit of dead tissue in the center. This is likely to be fairly painful, so Shu should be seen by a vet to receive pain medication and a thorough cleaning of the area which may require mild sedation. There are certain viruses that predispose rabbits to developing masses, and while there is no cure for the virus itself, the mass can be removed to improve quality of life. If you have any other rabbits, I recommend separating them from Shu as the virus can be contagious. I hope this helps and that all is well!