Injured rabbit, torn skin. (Graphic pic)

[RoseFell Farms]

Something got into our yard and rabbit house, one's gone the other has a large cut on her back leg. It's from mid thigh to knee, the skin's folded over and it's got hair in it. I wasn't home and this happened earlier this afternoon, she's been in a box with food/water since. She seems to have calmed, she ate some and drank a bit. What should I do? Wash it, just water? What about for the pain?

Our rooster's missing, a dog maybe? Whatever it was ripped through what I thought was a raccoon-proof house, I know nothing is fully raccoon proof. We live smack dab next to a raccoon, coyote and opossum breeding ground also known a creek surrounded by dense woods.

 

[DianeS]

I'm sorry to hear about that! Predators are just so dangerous...

For the wound, yes, wash it. Start with just plain lukewarm water. Get all the hair and dirt out of it. Don't soak the wound unless you need to - running water is better.

Put the skin back where it should be. Stitch it if you can. If its a long-haired rabbit you can tie hair on one side to hair on the other side. It will heal quicker if you can make the space between the sides of skin closer together.

I would not use any sort of bandage, you want it to be exposed to fresh air, and you want it to drain if it gets any pus in it. Leaving it unstitched is better than bandaging it, if you have to choose between the two.

And you want it to stay clean. So I'd be changing the bedding every day. Or keep her somewhere she does not need bedding for a while.

I know rabbits can be sensitive to antibiotics, so I don't know if you can put any antibacterial cream on the wound or not. Hopefully someone else will chime in with that answer. Everything else I've told you is general first aid for animals that won't be in to see a vet any time soon. Livestock that can't be transported, dogs with small cuts that don't need veterinary intervention, rabbits that would cost more to take to the vet than they originally cost, etc. If you're willing to take him to the vet, the vet will know more.

Hope she heals quickly!

 

[tortoise]

It the cut only a tear in the skin? Or is the tissue underneath also damaged?

If it is a tear in the skin, rinse it and leave it alone. Rabbit skin looks TERRIBLE when it is torn but heals up just fine.

A nick in the skin can open up to a 1" circle on a rabbit - especially on the legs. Rabbits can get nicked on a sharp wire in the cage.

The last time I nicked a rabbit I thought it looked terrible. Showed it to the vet - said don't worry about it, antibiotic ointment is basically useless.

Seriously - don't stich it. Might look pretty at first, but will do so much more damaged.

 

[elevan]

I don't have much to add...but if you suspect an animal bite to be the cause of the wound, I wouldn't stitch it. My vet told me you should never stitch a bite wound, no matter how bad it looks.

 

[RoseFell Farms]

I don't know if I could stitch it, fear of needles...

It's roughly 3 inches long by maybe 2 1/2, the skin that's still attached covers a little more than half of it, I'm afraid to pull on it. The tissue underneath looks okay for the most part. I have been pulling hair and dirt out of it and using warm water to flush.

How do I close it? It's right in a bad place, the knee area. When she moves it pulls. :/

 

[terri9630]

Something got into our yard and rabbit house, one's gone the other has a large cut on her back leg. It's from mid thigh to knee, the skin's folded over and it's got hair in it. I wasn't home and this happened earlier this afternoon, she's been in a box with food/water since. She seems to have calmed, she ate some and drank a bit. What should I do? Wash it, just water? What about for the pain?

Our rooster's missing, a dog maybe? Whatever it was ripped through what I thought was a raccoon-proof house, I know nothing is fully raccoon proof. We live smack dab next to a raccoon, coyote and opossum breeding ground also known a creek surrounded by dense woods.

Oh, I'm so sorry. It really makes me appreciate my dogs. They act like the chickens and rabbits are theirs and take it personally if anyone/thing goes after them. They have killed 3 cats, a hawk, a skunk and today they were hot after a squirrel that was going after the chicken feed.

I hope she recovers well for you.

 

[elevan]

You may not want to close it.

Can you post a picture of the wound?

 

[RoseFell Farms]

Here it is:

I found a small tear in the muscle. :/

 

[tortoise]

That doesn't look so terrible (if the picture shows all of the damage). Trim away all the hair a 1/2" or so away from the edges. Check on it everyday. As long as there's no pus it should be healing nicely.

Critters are tough, don't underestimate their ability to heal!

 

[elevan]

That doesn't look so terrible (if the picture shows all of the damage). Trim away all the hair a 1/2" or so away from the edges. Check on it everyday. As long as there's no pus it should be healing nicely.

Critters are tough, don't underestimate their ability to heal!

I agree. Don't try to close it or cover it. Trim away the hair. Keep it clean and call your vet on Monday to see if they will just sell you an appropriate medicated wound spray (most will).

eta: I had a horse that was bit in the same place on the leg by a pig. He had a serious muscle tear too. My vet's instructions were as stated above. I didn't think it would heal, but it has. Occasionally he will seem to be a little stiff but he's doing great now. I'm sure your bun will fair well too.