A young rabbit with a two-inch tear through the skin on the back of its right thigh is stable. What is the first action?

• A. Suture
• B. Immobilize and observe
• C. Rinse the wound thoroughly with lots of sterile saline or sterile water
• D. Apply antibiotic ointment

Answer: (C)

In wound care, the priority is to reduce contamination and assess tissue health so healing can proceed properly. The best first action is to flush the wound thoroughly with copious sterile saline or sterile water. This physically removes dirt, debris, and bacteria that can lead to infection, and it helps you judge the wound’s depth and tissue viability. By cleaning first, you set the stage for appropriate next steps—such as debridement if needed, deciding whether closure is appropriate, and initiating infection control measures if warranted.

Suturing is not best first because closing a wound that isn’t clean or viable increases the risk of trapping bacteria and causing infection. Immobilizing the limb or simply observing may be helpful later, but they don’t address contamination. Antibiotic ointment is supportive but cannot substitute for thorough cleaning.