My rabbit got a rat bite wound. What's the best home treatment?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Small Animal | Rabbit | Male
A rat bit my rabbit last night and i find out that he has wound on his back. what treatment should i do
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 5th, 2018
It would be more helpful if you could post a couple photos of the wound. That way we can give you better advice. Treatments vary depending on how deep the wound is. In general it is best to clean it with Betadine 7.5% skin cleanser (use as directed on label) and then apply a thin layer of Betadine 5% antiseptic cream. http://ph.betadine.com/en/ph/wound-care If the area looks red or swollen at any time or you notice a bad odor with yellow/green discharge then you need to get Buggs to a vet for an exam. Best wishes.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on January 5th, 2018
You should take Buggs to the vet as the bite wound will get infected, he will need an antibiotic course in order to get better. depending on the size of the wound your vet might recommend having it sutured.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
my rabbit has bitten by a rat last night then i found out that he has wound on his back
You should take Buggs to the vet as the bite wound will get infected, he will need an antibiotic course in order to get better. depending on the size of the wound your vet might recommend having it sutured.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I got a small rabbit looks about one month age. It have a wound on the back side and seems some blood were loss. So what can we do to cure the wound and what were the food items that we can give.?
Hi, and thanks for your question. Even though a picture of the wound itself would help to understand better the underlying cause, this presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). An immediate check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello! I have a rabbit and today i saw a red sore on his right foot. I don't have vets in the area where I live. So please help me.
I am so sorry for the delay in answering your question. The best thing you can do for a wound at home is to keep it clean. Clean the cage out completely. Make sure there is soft, clean bedding in the cage at all times, which means you need to replace the bedding material daily while the sore is present. Most pharmacies will have Betadine. Get some water and add a few drops of butadiene so that it looks like tea. Then submerge the affected foot into the liquid. Try to keep it wet for a minute or so if he will tolerate it. Then gently pat it dry with a clean towel. You can take a picture and submit it with a question to the forum, and one of us can try to further advise you. Again the best thing you can do at this point is to be sure to keep it clean. Thank you for asking Boop by Petco!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a rabbit of 4 months. There is wound on his left leg. Nd there is hair fall issue also on that particular area. It might be an insect. I'm not sure what exactly it is. Please suggest medicine.
Sorry but i cannot see clearly the injury from the pics you attached. Generally speaking this presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
hi i have a rabbit and today near her thigh we found cut her fur layer is teared and we can see 2nd layer does it have problem wound will be approx small coin shape or like a button. she is vaccinated
Hello! I would recommend keeping an eye on the wound and keeping it clean. A warm water washcloth to wipe the wound down one to two times per day is perfect for gentle cleaning. Don't apply any ointments or creams, as she will likely try to lick them off and rabbits have very sensitive stomachs. Be very gentle as rabbit skin is delicate. I would also recommend keeping her enclosure very clean while this heals. If you notice any swelling, drainage, redness, pain, or decrease in her appetite/energy, I would recommend taking her into a vet to have the wound assessed for infection and possible antibiotics. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Boop by Petco!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a rabbit who is severely injured, I assume from fighting with her roommate, and has two gashes, one very deep and uncomfortably close to her neck. We live out in the middle of nowhere and there's no vet we could take her to. They don't appear
Oh gosh! I am so sorry to hear this! Rabbits should not be given any over the counter pain medication- it can be fatal to them. Do you have hair or beard clippers? #40 blade is best but a 10 will do the job. Put her in a dim room but enough light for you to see what you are doing. Clip/shave all the hair around the wounds. Use warm water to compress and clean the wounds. If you have the opportunity to have her evaluated by a veterinarian that would be ideal. Sometimes equine veterinarians will help with the rabbits too . Getting the fur off can really help decrease the chance of infection as well as allows you to see what is going on and if it is improving or getting worse. Keep her indoors so flies can’t get to the wound. Best of luck and I hope she improves soon! Thank you for using Pet Coach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My rabbit was recently bitten by a dog on his head. Pus has started to come out from the bite wound and we applied diluted chlorhexidine to it. After we applied it his hair started falling out on that area and the skin around it is turning red
Poor Sunny D! Pus and redness are common signs of infection, which may require treatment with oral antibiotics. Dilute chlorhexidine is okay to use on the wound, as well as silver sulfadiazene ointment. I would steer away from triple antibiotic ointments such as Neosporin, as rabbits can ingest these during grooming and result in gastrointestinal upset. From the picture, the wound appears to be closing, which is a good sign. I recommend monitoring the wound for another day or so, and having Sunny D seen by a vet if the discharge continues to get worse. Sunny D may also require some pain medication, that can only be prescribed by a vet. In the meantime, you can also get him a small E-collar or "cone" to prevent him from scratching the area. He may need the cone removed for a few hours while you supervise him closely in case he is not comfortable eating in it. I hope this helps and that Sunny D starts feeling better soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My bunny fluffy always humps Bun Bun and recently she developed like a scab or wound, which I can’t go to the vet for. She also seems really sad lately
Thanks for reaching out about Bun Bun. A wound needs to be kept clean. Gently clipping hair around the wound to prevent hair contamination. Gently clean with mild soap and warm water. Do not apply any topical antibiotics as many can infect the rabbit's gastrointestinal tract if ingested. The rabbits might need to be separated. Altering both rabbits might decrease aggression. If the wound worsens or Bun Bun becomes ill, a veterinary visit is mandatory. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I just found this while petting my bunny. Does anyone know what it is?
I can see what looks like a small wound on Thumper's skin. It appears rather small and superficial, and does not seem to be bleeding. I recommend keeping it clean and applying a small amount of SSD (silver sulfadiazene) ointment to the area. I'm not sure how Thumper may have gotten the wound, but I would recommend evaluating his environment for sharp edges or any contact with bigger animals. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
If my dog ( chihuahua / Italian Greyhound) was bitten by a rat while he perused it, but I can’t see anything, what can I do for it? What can the vet do for it in the morning?
A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are usually needed. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking/scratching. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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