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Raw wounds on bunny
We got a little rabbit bunny over a year ago who was terribly underfed and quite sick. She is now doing well generally, but we have found out she has E.culiculi. It is not active at this stage.
Apart from the above though, she has constantly got new bald spots which then somehow "break" open and become raw and bloody. It obviously bothers her in the first two days as she is cranky and you can't stroke her anywhere near the area of the spot (from tiny to 25ct size). We have tried to work with antibiotics, but it seems to have little effect. The last dose of Depo we gave her, caused her to stop eating and we had to feed her almost two weeks before she recovered.
it sounds awful, and we are waging a constant battle with ourselves on whether to carry on with all the treatments or not. But apart from the spots, she has shiny fur, clear eyes, behaves normally and is such a lovely, cuddly rabbit that it seems like putting a healthy animal to sleep which we just cannot make ourselves do. Any suggestions as to what might be causing it? We have had tests done, and there's no sign of mites nor worms???
Apart from the above though, she has constantly got new bald spots which then somehow "break" open and become raw and bloody. It obviously bothers her in the first two days as she is cranky and you can't stroke her anywhere near the area of the spot (from tiny to 25ct size). We have tried to work with antibiotics, but it seems to have little effect. The last dose of Depo we gave her, caused her to stop eating and we had to feed her almost two weeks before she recovered.
it sounds awful, and we are waging a constant battle with ourselves on whether to carry on with all the treatments or not. But apart from the spots, she has shiny fur, clear eyes, behaves normally and is such a lovely, cuddly rabbit that it seems like putting a healthy animal to sleep which we just cannot make ourselves do. Any suggestions as to what might be causing it? We have had tests done, and there's no sign of mites nor worms???
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks you Ireneo for the kind words!
If you are not taking your bunny to a vet who specializes in Exotics, than maybe you should.
If an exotic animal specialist is unavailable it might be best to suggest to your regular vet to perform a full thickness biopsy using a local anesthetic. The biopsy can check for parasitic mites (which are very difficult to diagnose otherwise), for auto-immune disorders, endocrine disorders, or other dermatological disorders (Yes, rabbits do get these illnesses).
While waiting for the biopsy, use topical Revolution every two weeks at an appropriate dose for your rabbit. Revolution is available by prescription, and is usually used monthly, but, for mites it must be used every two weeks. I would also order a rabbit E-Collar to prevent your rabbit from self-trauma. These are available at Online pet stores.
There is also a possibility that this problem is behavioral. In this case you must try and discover what precipitates the problem, i.e.: what seems to stress your rabbit. This can be very difficult to discover, and takes a great deal of medical detective work. You could try setting up a video camera to do this. If this is the case, some changes in the rabbits environment could make a big difference, or medications could help.
Chinese herbal formulas may also help.
If you are not taking your bunny to a vet who specializes in Exotics, than maybe you should.
If an exotic animal specialist is unavailable it might be best to suggest to your regular vet to perform a full thickness biopsy using a local anesthetic. The biopsy can check for parasitic mites (which are very difficult to diagnose otherwise), for auto-immune disorders, endocrine disorders, or other dermatological disorders (Yes, rabbits do get these illnesses).
While waiting for the biopsy, use topical Revolution every two weeks at an appropriate dose for your rabbit. Revolution is available by prescription, and is usually used monthly, but, for mites it must be used every two weeks. I would also order a rabbit E-Collar to prevent your rabbit from self-trauma. These are available at Online pet stores.
There is also a possibility that this problem is behavioral. In this case you must try and discover what precipitates the problem, i.e.: what seems to stress your rabbit. This can be very difficult to discover, and takes a great deal of medical detective work. You could try setting up a video camera to do this. If this is the case, some changes in the rabbits environment could make a big difference, or medications could help.
Chinese herbal formulas may also help.
Goodness no! Dr. Cheng is excellent at thinking these things through and coming up with ideas to explore. I'm not a vet and my bunny experience is limited to orphaned and injured wild brush bunnies.
Glad to see you posted this here as well.
See - I told you she could come up with some interesting ideas and suggestions.
Dr. Cheng - I know I can't write to you directly but I'm always impressed with your information and sensitivity. Just glad for the opportunity to let you know.
Dr. Cheng - I know I can't write to you directly but I'm always impressed with your information and sensitivity. Just glad for the opportunity to let you know.
yes, just trying to figure this out whichever I can! Hope you don't mind.
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