Not disease, but injury advice

[rabbitlady4433]

Apparently over the weekend something ripped a hole in the bottom of the cage wire of my grow out pen. The hole is maybe 3 inches around. There were 7 bunnies in this pen. All of them were fine except for one, which just happened to be the only doe in this litter. She is missing two of her rear toes on the same foot. As of right now the wound is clean and starting to scab, there was not a lot of blood. The wound itself is as you can imagine, looks like they got sheared off, nothing dangling or anything like that. She didn't even mind when I touched it to get a better look.

My first response was to dispatch this bun. I'd hate to have any animal suffer. But, as I watched she's hopping around just fine, eating, drinking, and pooing normal. She is also the sweetest out of this whole litter. Likes to be picked up and petted and snuggled. No temperament changes either.

So, now I'm not so sure what to do. If it will heal well and isn't causing tragic pain....... is it humane to keep her?

 

[jessica117]

From what you said, she doesn't appear to be in any great deal of pain. Watch it close and keep it clean. I don't see any reason right now not to keep her. As long as she heals up ok and is able to get around I myself would keep her. Just my 2 cents.

 

[rabbitlady4433]

Thank you. I was really torn with this one. I will be keeping a close eye on her so I think she'll be sticking around.

 

[dewey]

I was gonna say the same thing...see how it goes.
Another thing, if there's exposed bone right now it could get hung up on the cage wire, just somethng to consider. Sometimes the skin will grow over it or you could put a stitch or 2 if there's enough skin.

About 25 years ago a stray dog got to 1 of my rabbit's feet/leg through the bottom of the wire and stripped the bone clean. I honestly don't know how the rabbit was able to stay in the cage. It was a massive injury, but it sounds like your young doe might just be fine and go on to have some nice litters.