Rabbit Self Trauma

Re: Rabbit Self Trauma

Marie Kubiak — Fri, 16 May 2014 14:04:28 GMT

I have only seen one dewlap self-trauma case without primary dewlap disease so I'm sure you have already, but check between the folds for any open sore areas and palpate for masses. The one secondary self-trauma case was an elderly rabbit with seizures - she would attack her dewlap before and after a seizure episode (and the owner's hand if she intervened). We managed her with rectal diazepam when self-trauma started and this stopped the trauma and no seizure followed.

Other thought are disruption of normal grooming leading to intense focus on that area - either because she can't physically get to other areas to groom them (abdominal pain, reduced flexibility, incisor pathology, obesity...), or absence of sensation leading to normal feedback that ends grooming being blocked,

Marie

Re: Rabbit Self Trauma

CatherineThomas — Wed, 14 May 2014 20:14:07 GMT

I think I've seen 2 cases of self trauma in rabbits and both of them were related to a painful focus and healed when adequate pain relief was given. One of them had spondylosis and it did take awhile to get the problem under control. We had to use a buster collar for a short while, I hate using them but we had to stop the rabbit tearing itself apart. Metacam alone wasn't enough for that one, I think we tried tramadol and then moved onto gabapentin and healix soother cream too and it did finally heal ok. (probably not helped by the fact that the previous vet kept insisting it was mites and applying mite treatments, giving it steroids and applying wound powder and purple spray).

Have you taken x-rays to assess the skull and teeth?

I don't think the incissors should be extracted unless they are the cause of pain.

Re: Rabbit Self Trauma

Natalie Brown — Wed, 14 May 2014 17:44:43 GMT

Thanks for reply!!

Her weight is ideal, she is just reaching down to her normal sized dew lap/chest.

Owner is really knowledgable on bunnies, fantastically kept, great diet- minimal pellets, lots of hay and some fresh veg twice daily

Unfortunately it is her causing trauma- owner witnessed it. I agree its very extreme to have chewed her own skin to that extent :(

Re: Rabbit Self Trauma

Sammy82 — Wed, 14 May 2014 16:50:21 GMT

What's her weight like? The fact that she has a dew lap large enough to chew on makes me think that she might be quiet overweight, alt

hough they can be normal to some extent in certain breeds like flemish giants.

Did you discuss pafticulars of the diet with the owner? Some owners think their rabbit was on a good diet cause "We are feeding it only the rabbit muesli and joghurt drops".

Considering a rabbit's delicate digestive system I would not remove healthy teeth.

Has she been seen causing the injury herself? A skin flap doesn't sound like typical self inflicted wound to me. Maybe she had a fight with the male, or another animal in the garden if not secured, or simply caught it on e.g. a branch or wire and was then seen licking her wounds.

Hopefully some small furry experts (I refuse to call rabbits exotic animals) can give you some better advise.