Has Your Rabbit Ever Had a Nail Ripped Out?
By hcromer
@hcromer (2710)
United States
June 23, 2008 9:04am CST
My rabbit ran under our couch last night and we let her hang out there for a while. We finally picked up the couch and I picked her up only to find myself covered in blood. I looked down and saw that I had let her nails get too long and one of them had gotten caught on something and ripped completely off. Has your rabbit ever had a nail ripped out? What did you do? I assume everything will work out fine for her, she didn't seem to be in too much distress. I cleaned her wound, put some Vaseline on it, then wrapped her paw in a Band Aid. Is there anything else I need to do?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I've had that happen to one of my rabbits before. He snagged a nail on something and it came out. I didn't put anything on it, I just kept everything really clean for him for awhile (as clean as possible with a rabbit). It grew back just fine.
His missing nails were missing before I got him, so sometimes they don't grow back. But either way, they'll be fine.
I wouldn't worry about putting a band-aid on it. They'll probably try to chew it off anyway.
@slyvixen42 (926)
• United States
25 Jun 08
I had a pack of dogs in my neighborhood bite off a few my rabbit's toes completely. He didn't seem like he has in pain, just shock from being attacked. He wasn't bleeding much when we found him (the dogs had gotten him out of the hutch somehow and he was about 50 feet away). He recovered fully with no complications.
@BunGirl (2638)
• United States
24 Jun 08
I work in rabbit rescue, and I've seen this happen many times. Usually the nail will just grow back on its own, but keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't start favoring that paw or get swollen as these would probably be signs of infection. It's very important to make sure you clip your rabbit's nails regularly to prevent injuries like this from happening. If you don't know how to do it, ask your vet to show you or contact a local rabbit group and see if they can teach you how.
@cher8558 (425)
• Canada
25 Jun 08
Hi friend,
Isn't it amazing how fast their nails grow. I also have a bunny. I have cut his nail once, but I'm so afraid of cutting that vein that runs through the nail.
I know I have to do them again, they are very long.
I hope that doesn't happen to my bunny. That sounds very painful.
Good luck
Cheryl
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
24 Jun 08
My dog ripped her nail out a few months ago, it sure is a bloody injury! I called the vet and he said to leave it alone, it'll heal and it did. It even grew back! 
I think you're doing everything right, I hope it heals soon.
I think you're doing everything right, I hope it heals soon.
@DeniseH (130)
•
23 Jun 08
aww poor little rabbit.
I would definitely book her into the vets and get it checked just to makesure, it mite end up gettin an infection. Getting the vet to cut the rest of her nails while your there would be a good idea, unless your able to do it yourself but they usually charge no extra for it.
