suture care post neutering

Question
is it safe to cover suture area or wrap bunny in a tube sock instead of those elizebethan "cone" collars?  my rabbit came home last night from neuter surgery with a collar on...he can't eat or drink, groom, or anything.  he's so upset and is obsessed with getting it off.  he managed to remove it and immediately went for the stitches.  i woke up every hour to keep putting it back on.  today i stayed home because i'm afraid he will get it off and open the wound.   also, i have to hand feed him and give water.  the vet says i can't cover the wound with anything and have to leave the collar on for 14 days!!!!???  this seems impossible.  also, why would the vet not have used internal sutures???  please advise as to if i can take off the collar or any alternative, as this seems too stessful for the rabbit.  THANKYOU!

Answer
Dear Gina,

Unfortunately, your bunny was neutered by a vet who doesn't seem to know much about the special needs of a rabbit.  Our vets always use subcuticular sutures so that the rabbit will not worry at them, and an E-collar is *never* used, as this is entirely inappropriate for a rabbit.

I would suggest you find an experienced rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

and bring your boy there for a consultation, to see if the new vet thinks it might be worthwhile to replace the sutures with subcuticulars and ditch that E collar.  It might be worth it, to avoid the stress and misery.  Your bunny certainly can't have an E collar on for a full 14 days!  A rabbit is NOT like a dog or cat, though the vet who did your bunny's neuter seems to think so.

I hope this helps.

Dana