injured rabbit- and I need consoled

[Autumn T]

yep, been a lousy first week for Pookie.

he was being put in his cage and he wigged out and caught his left rear leg on the wire

he is not putting much weight on it
he CAN use it if he has to (he climbed to my shoulder as I was checking him)
he can still sit up and beg but keeps that foot favored

I called his breeder and she thinks he sprained or fractured the foot and he will be fine. she had me check his spine while I talked to her then we worked on the foot checking toes up. I got to the big flat part of the foot and Pookie gently 'bit' a few times for lack of better word when I pressed down near the middle of that area

he is on cage rest for a while
my girls are not allowed to cage him anymore. I will do it til he learns how

so now I need consoled

how do I know if he is in pain or distress?

he is eating like a pig
begs to be let out and held (not happening bud)
hops on his 3 legs just fine keeping injured one just off floor
he is digging in his new towel and loving it
begs for food by sitting up still

so I guess he is ok....right?!!

he will heal quickly right? breeder says YES! but I worry

 

[SheriM]

If he was in serious pain he would be sitting still, breathing faster than usual and definitely wouldn't be sitting up, begging or digging. It might be a little sore, but yes, he'll be fine.

 

[Autumn T]

talked to the breeder/vet tech again

she said rabbits can be stupid and keep hurting themselves cause they are trying to be 'normal'

so his cage is now sorta blocked off with a towel draped over it
Pookie was hopping and going nuts wanting OUT

his foot looks swollen...the fur is fluffier on that side at least...or is it? his feet are very fluffy and we have to search for toenails through lots of hair

I tried to check but he had fits. he then bathed that foot (first time since his pee incident) and it doesn't look so fluffy

going to check it in the morning for puffiness or heat

I so do not want to do shots of antibiotics

 

[andbab]

My sis had the same thing happen. Her rabbit got its foot stuck in something and she phoned me freakin cause she figured her rabbit had broke its leg. Within a few days it was fine. that must have been two years ago now, she still has the rabbit.

 

[gypsy2621]

there is no need for anti biotics, DO NOT give any anti biotics or pain meds with out asking a vet first, human pain meds even asprin will kill them.
he will be fine in a few days, just keep him quiet and have little movement for the leg till it heals up.
it sounds like a sprain and will heal on its own.

If the bnny was in serious pain he would not eat nor drink, he would shut down completely. he would be huddled up in a corner and not move.
leave him rest baby bunnys can be over zealous about play time. I have had them spring their backs , a week in a small cage kept quiet and it heals nicely.

 

[Autumn T]

oh the breeder was saying if his leg had heat and swelling to think of antibiotics...

well, I checked and no swelling or heat. the pain is narrowing down to just behind his toes

going to get him something to chew on to relieve his boredom

last night he was so nuts I could hear him from my room with the door shut

 

[annanicole18]

the dumb little things just cant help themselves. i have a young rabbit that likes to get out of her cage and fall about 4 feet! i don't know how she has only gotten minor scrathes. she has been cured of escape by and outdoor hutch where she can really see how far the ground is. but i also currently have my neice and nephews rabbit that is missing currently he would do the same thing but this time escaped the outdoor hutch some how. they are pretty resiliant as long as they dont spook so he should get better

 

[calgal98]

If you have a weeping willow tree give him some tender limbs from that. Willow bark has a natural anti inflammatory action and the buns love to chew on it. Its a great activity for them to relieve bordom as well. I *have* given a baby aspirin to a bunny that had a difficult delivery. She was in a whole lot of pain. It really helped her. But it sounds as though your bun is doing fine. Willow twigs would be great for him.

 

[Autumn T]

willow? are you sure? I am so nervous to not give him something that 'may be' poisonous.

I do have a willow tree but it was sprayed a year ago (I think can't remember if it was or not...my pecans were) would it be safe after a year?

 

[RabbitMage]

I think after a year you're probably safe. There's a breeder out here who sells willow branches from her trees for the rabbits, I buy them occasionally and the buns love them.