HELP!! Cookie's bitten her prolapse

[heaven33uk]

After everything going so well for Cookie yesterday, I woke up this morning to find blood in her cage. I checked her prolapse right away and it was bleeding quite a bit and had what looked like a bite mark in it. I used cooled, boiled water to bathe it then smothered it in petroleum jelly. Then I got a cotton bud (q tip) and gently pushed it back inside her ( it's exactly what the vet did yesterday)then bathed it again. She was grinding her teeth quite a bit afterwards and was very quiet but I've kept an eye on her all day and now she seems fine. Have I done the right thing or should I take her back to the vet? Up to now the prolapse has stayed inside and her bottom is clean so the bleeding has stopped and she's not grinding her teeth now, in fact when I let her out for playtime she was binkying everywhere lol.

I can't beleive she's bitten it after leaving it alone all week, do you think maybe the vet prodding at it yesterday has irritated it and that's why she did it?

Jo x

 

[slavetoabunny]

I would at least call the vet and ask if he wants to see Cookie. Do you have any pain meds or her?

 

[Saudade]

It was probably sore, painful and uncomfortable for her, the poor girl just did the first thing that came to mind was to bite at it.

You did a great job with cleaning it and covering it in petroleum jelly, that should act as a barrier from bacteria. If it prolapses again perhaps an application of betadine to the bite area would help with any further chances of infection?

 

[aurora369]

I would definitely give the vet a call and talk to him about how she had bitten it and if he has any recommendations. And to see if he can give some pain medication for her.

Betadine is also a good idea for cleaning. You can get it over the counter at a people pharmacy very easily and cheaply.

--Dawn

 

[NorthernAutumn]

I would second the vet option... You're dealing with potential intermingling of blood with feces... plenty of opportunity for infection. There may be a course of antibiotics that your vet would proscribe.

As well, you might consider making an E-collar for her, so she cannot access her prolapse.
See this thread: http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_post.php?post_id=656593

 

[tonyshuman]

I think an e-collar would be great, and I think you probably need to get some metacam (meloxicam generic name) for her for pain. It sounds like she's in a ton of pain and that would really help. I am not sure that systemic antibiotics would be too helpful, because once e coli gets in the blood there's not a lot you can do. Perhaps applying triple antibiotic ointment (neosporin--without pain reliever in it) or betadine to the prolapse prior to the petroleum would be helpful. Poor girl and poor you. Is the idea here that with time it will go back in and heal on its own?

 

[heaven33uk]

Thanks everyone I've just got in from work and checked on her right away and she's doing great! The prolapse has still stayed inside (that's about 12 hours now since I cleaned her up this morning) and there's no sign of any bleeding, in fact her bottom looks nice and pink. She's lively and isn't grinding her teeth at all now, when I opened the cage she hopped out and started tugging at my clothes and nudging me like she wanted to play.
My concern now is whether she's pooping ok, I'm gonna clean out their cage and give them some playtime soon so I'll be watching her carefully to see if she goes.

 

[ra7751]

Just thought I would add my little bit on this. Prolapse in a rabbit is usually due to age or improper diet....but sometimes can be genetic. I would make sure she is getting a proper diet to help with the transit time thru the GI. While infection is certainly a concern...it's not the primary concern.And I haven't seen comment on the major concern with a prolapse and that is necrosis. As the tissue rolls, usually some of the tissue is cut off from blood and that results in death of the tissue...and I don't need to say that a situation like that is not a good one. If your vet is having trouble resolving this situation, ask for a referral to a specialist.

Randy