HELP! Tattooing Issue

[The Haven Rabbitry]

Hello,

I have a serious problem. I tattooed my rabbits 2 weeks ago and left the ink to settle in, and didn't wipe it off. NOW, I can't really read the tattoos very well, and I have a show coming in less than 1 month. What should I do??? Do I try to retattoo the area? Do I try to put another tattoo in a different place in the ear? I'm worried that I won't be able to show them now. The tattoo looked great before I placed the ink on it, after I let up. UGH! Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Inle_Rabbitry]

Are you saying that the ink didn't settle in the actual tattoo itself, or are you saying that it's just the excess ink that's causing the blurred appearance?

If it's the tattoo itself, it is possible to try and punch it in again, however, being that you have tattooed them not too long ago and with their ears are still healing, it would be risky at it could cause an infection and/or caused the tattoo to look permanently smudgy.

If you're talking about just needing to wipe away the dried up excess ink, then you can try wiping it with a cotton ball or soft tooth brushsoaked in either warm water and mild soap, vasaline, or olive oil. In most cases, the excess ink should dry up and gradually flake off on it's own over time.

 

[pamnock]

When I need to do touch-up on clamp tattoos, I use a small, inexpensive hand tattoo tool with a triple tipped needle to go over the dots. Insert at a slight angle under the skin. It works much better than attempting to re-tattoo over the same spot.

Bass Equipment sells thetouch-up tattoo needlefor $3.60

http://www.bassequipment.com/Miscellaneous/Tattoo+Equipment/default.aspx

Pen tattooers are also a good way to go over faded tattoos.

 

[The Haven Rabbitry]

I've already wiped the excess ink off. The actual tattoo does not look good.

If I use the touch up tattoo needles, is that all I need to order? Or do I have to order the whole pen? I have a punch tattooer, not a needle tattooer.

 

[Jaded]

Do you have a photo so we can see the muck up?

 

[Inle_Rabbitry]

You'll have to get the pen, not just the needles, if you want to touch up the tattoo.

 

[pamnock]

The Haven Rabbitry wrote:

I've already wiped the excess ink off. The actual tattoo does not look good.

If I use the touch up tattoo needles, is that all I need to order? Or do I have to order the whole pen? I have a punch tattooer, not a needle tattooer.

No, the touch up tool is all you need. There are some people that are very good at hand tattooing and use these tools to do their tattoos.

This site has a few different ones with photos ($6.00): https://www.bunnyrabbit.com/brcom.html



The model pictured at the top of this page if the one that I have:

http://www.woodyswabbits.com/touchup-tool-p-3124.html



I wish I could find a site that shows the art of hand tattooing, but hardly anyone does it anymore.

 

[pamnock]

Inle_Rabbitry wrote:

You'll have to get the pen, not just the needles, if you want to touch up the tattoo.

Only the touch up tool is needed - average cost is around $5.00.

 

[pamnock]

I've been tearing the house apart looking for my newer version of the ARBA guidebook and can't find it (it's always right on my desk).

I did find an older version with an article by Pandora Perry on "The Gentle Art of Tattooing" that describes tattooing by hand.




Finally found the book on my bookshelf (go figure) - the article is also in the newest edition of the ARBA guidebook.

 

[The Haven Rabbitry]

I can get some pictures.... unfortunately, it may be a few days. With a job, house, farm, and baby, I tend to not be able to get online as much as I'd like! But I can certainly post some.