Tooth Root Abscess

Pea had a lower tooth root abscess surgically removed on Friday . My vet thinks it had probably been rumbling away for up to 3 months but had only just got to the point where there was a noticeable swelling. Pea was acting and eating normally so gave me no indication that there was a problem.

The abscess was nasty and had started to eat into the bone. Simon had to use bone cutting equipment to remove the calcified mass. Fortunately, as they went in surgically, they were able to flush through the hole and remove as much pus as possible. We've now started on up to 8 weeks of Zithromax in an effort to throw antibiotics at it quite agressively (3ml once daily - that's a LOT of fluid :shock::shock. Fortunately we go to every other day in a week's time. Simon thinks we have a 70-80% chance of effecting a cure.

We'll have to have Pea's teeth checked on a fairly regular basis, although from inside the mouth, her teeth are actually pretty good and would give no indication of problems. Does anyone have experience of this and know what the longer term prognosis is? We have a check-up on Friday so I'll ask Simon all these questions but you guys are pretty knowledgable too.

Thank you.

Sounds as though your Vet has done as much as possible. Tooth root abscesses can be to treat and unfortunately they have a tendency to recur. A least Pea is on the Zithromax, many Vets still only prescribe Baytril which is seldom helpful in treating abscesses.

Is Pea on any analgesia now ? I would imagine that there is some discomfort from the surgery even if the abscess itself was had apparently not caused any pain.

Did the Vet take skull radiographs to assess the extent of the osteomyelitis ?

Hi Jane - thanks for your reply. Yes, head x-rays were taken so that they could see the full extent of the damage and she's on Metacam for pain relief. I'm glad to say she's tucking into her hay as if she's had nothing done to her so I don't think she's in any discomfort. Simon is a well known and respected bunny vet so she's in the best possible hands. He laughingly said they prescribe so much Zithromax, they should have shares in the company :lol:.

I've just given her today's dose of Zithromax and she was a good girl. I used three 1ml syringes because they're so easy to slip into the mouth. However, tomorrow is another day and once she knows what's coming, I daresay we'll be playing silly beggars!

I am so pleased Pea seems happy in herself. I think zithromax tastes quite nice, not that I've tried it, when Gideon was on it he took it quite happily from the syringe

It seems like your vet is a lot more helpful than mine. Barney had the same thing, but they took no bloods, xrays, swabs etc.

Hugo's There said:

I am so pleased Pea seems happy in herself. I think zithromax tastes quite nice, not that I've tried it, when Gideon was on it he took it quite happily from the syringe

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It tastes quite sweet . I accidentally put the wrong end of the syringe in my mouth yesterday (was supposed to be holding the plunger end in my teeth whilst I got Pea in the right position).

kayleewoo said:

It seems like your vet is a lot more helpful than mine. Barney had the same thing, but they took no bloods, xrays, swabs etc.

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I go to a rabbit specialist vet - the whole practice only deals with cats, rabbits and other small furries such as GP's etc.