Lump in jaw bone UD off antibiotics

Harvey has a lump on his right lower jaw bone, when I'm running along his chin the left side is straight, and the right side has a hard lump that feels as if it is part of the bone, I'm just worried it's an osteosarcoma or something scary :/ is this heard of or common at all in rabbit jaw bones?

I've looked in his mouth (to his intense displeasure) and from my poor view I couldn't see anything strange.

He's acting fine and eating and pooing fine too. I don't know how long it may have been like that because I don't often feel under his chin, but I do fuss his cheeks so I would've thought I should've felt it before maybe, it's about the size of a pea.

I'll get him to the vets tomorrow morning, but I wanted to know if anyone has found anything similar on their rabbits before or experienced anything that could give me an idea of what this might be?

I'm off to bed now, I don't know how I'll sleep though because I'm really worried I'm assuming there's no one up who knows anything about this hence no advice! I'm not looking forwards to the vets tomorrow, wish Harvey luck!!

Good night :wave: I'll update this after the vets

I don't have any advice I am afraid but just wanted to send lots of vibes your way for the lovely Harvey.

I hope all goes well at the vet visit tomorrow :wave:

I've read of scent glands becoming infected. Also a jaw abscess from dental issues is possible.

It may be a tooth root abscess Or possibly osteomyelitis (infection in the jaw bone)

Sending vibes for him xx

Sending lots of vibes for Harvey xx

Sending vibes for Harvey bun xxx

Thanks everyone, he's in no pain even when I touch it which is why I didn't jump to dental (also he's never had teeth issues, and the lump is positioned in the space between his incisors and his molars but I realise it's such a small space problems from neighbouring teeth could still cause an abscess here )

I've literally had the worst nights sleep ever

What should I expect from the vet? Obviously she/he will have a feel, tell me if they agree that it's abnormal. Have a look at his teeth. Will she want to X-ray him today? I'm assuming that will mean a GA will it? Poor Harvey I'm very sure my vets are very good with rabbits so I'm hoping they'll definitely do the right thing, I'm just worried

*Funny*Bunny* said:

Thanks everyone, he's in no pain even when I touch it which is why I didn't jump to dental (also he's never had teeth issues, and the lump is positioned in the space between his incisors and his molars but I realise it's such a small space problems from neighbouring teeth could still cause an abscess here )

I've literally had the worst nights sleep ever

What should I expect from the vet? Obviously she/he will have a feel, tell me if they agree that it's abnormal. Have a look at his teeth. Will she want to X-ray him today? I'm assuming that will mean a GA will it? Poor Harvey I'm very sure my vets are very good with rabbits so I'm hoping they'll definitely do the right thing, I'm just worried

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The Vet may be able to obtain some idea as to what the lump is by feeling it. But a GA/Skull xray would be required to obtain more detailed information. A full oral examination under GA would be essential too as it is impossible to fully assess Rabbit's teeth whilst they are awake.

Jack's-Jane said:

The Vet may be able to obtain some idea as to what the lump is by feeling it. But a GA/Skull xray would be required to obtain more detailed information. A full oral examination under GA would be essential too as it is impossible to fully assess Rabbit's teeth whilst they are awake.

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Thanks Harvey is particularly feisty and stubborn when it comes to checking his teeth, the vets are always surprised because he's so tame but is the worst when it comes to teeth checks :roll: last night I put my finger between his lower and upper incisors to stop him closing, which worked but I was leaning over his body to try and see in so not the best view!! And that required a lot of trust! I still have my finger phew!!

At the vets walk in clinic now (8-10 am) because I called and they said they weren't busy, and I only live 5 mins away!

Been to vets. He says he's very sure it's not teeth related. He looked really well at his teeth and said there was a single teeny weeny spur on each side right at the back but no cuts and no inflammation, that added with the fact he's eating suggests it's not teeth (I'm definitely inclined to believe him because the rabbit specialist was raving about how amazing he is at looking at rabbit teeth, and how he always gets it right when they check under GA after, also his technique was so good!).

He reckons it's a cyst/abscess which will either just regress or get worse, or something proliferative in the bone, which will get worse.

He said I could book him in for an X-ray or wait 7-10 days to see if it regresses or gets worse, and if worse then book in for X-ray. I said I was worried if I left it and it got worse he might stop eating and then the X-ray would be much more risky and he agreed and said he really does not like to put rabbits under GA if they're not eating so it would be lower risk to do it before he potentially gets worse. So X-ray is booked for Monday morning and wow are they expensive :shock: I'm so glad he's insured! His premiums will be ridiculously high next year though

The vet was in agreeable that whatever the lump is it's not currently causing pain

They were very well behaved bunnies, the vet knew loads about rabbits, and the vet next week is the one who is really good with rabbits too

Unfortunately if it is an abscess then it is almost always tooth related. The tooth *root* being the core of infection. This would definitely require an Xray for an accurate diagnosis. Obviously it is impossible to see what is going on 'under the surface' just by looking in the mouth.

If it is an abscess then it will require aggressive treatment so I think it is a very good idea to get the Xray done ASAP. Is there any chance it could be done tomorrow? Then if an abscess is confirmed treatment can be started straight away.

Jack's-Jane said:

Unfortunately if it is an abscess then it is almost always tooth related. The tooth *root* being the core of infection. This would definitely require an Xray for an accurate diagnosis. Obviously it is impossible to see what is going on 'under the surface' just by looking in the mouth.

If it is an abscess then it will require aggressive treatment so I think it is a very good idea to get the Xray done ASAP. Is there any chance it could be done tomorrow? Then if an abscess is confirmed treatment can be started straight away.

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Nope, there's no way he's in absolutely no pain though (I know rabbits don't show pain well, but I was pressing it quite hard last night when fussing him, and he remained asleep and continued purring away so I really do not think it's hurting him! And it was definitely purring not tooth grinding!), I will keep extremely close checks on him and if there's any change in his behaviour he will be straight back and I'll have him admitted as an emergency patient.

We got back from the vets and he sprinted to the litter tray to do a massive wee :lol: he's so well trained he refused to do it on the hay in his carrier

With the two tiny spurs, are they just genetic because he eats SO MUCH hay?! I have a feeling he'll never get rid of them because he couldn't really eat any more hay!

Whatever it is isn't any bigger, still isn't tender and is not stopping Harvey from playing and eating I was a little worried because he was so sleepy all Thursday, but I think he was being lazy because he's been as playful as normal since!

X-rays tomorrow, I'm nervous about him going under GA

Good luck for tomorrow. Will be thinking of you and Harvey xx

RogerRabbit999 said:

Good luck for tomorrow. Will be thinking of you and Harvey xx

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Thanks he's been getting extra attention all weekend because I'm so worried he won't wake up from the GA, which I know is silly because he's a young healthy rabbit who's been under before with no complications, but if anything happens I'd fell so guilty for putting him through that when at the moment he's so happy and not actually looking/feeling ill

They're at the vets now.

I wore shorts forgetting that at the vets all Lilly wants is a cuddle from me (completely opposite from the independent attitude bunny she is at home) and wore shorts... Upon crouching down to pick Harvey up she took the opportunity to jump on my thighs, tried to grip on and failed due to lack of trousers, then proceeded to slip and slide off grabbing my skin with her claws on the way down :roll: she is fine, only less than a foot fall and landed on her feet, my legs however are covered in massive red welts :shock: ow...

Anyway, they're going to call me later, they said I'd be able to pick them up at 2pm... I've said I can pick them up before 1 and after 5 so I'm hoping they'll put him at the beginning of their list and they'll be home before 1pm!

Has he had a skull xray before, does he have any history of tooth root problems?

Crossing my fingers for him, hope he gets on ok.

ashbunny said:

Has he had a skull xray before, does he have any history of tooth root problems?

Crossing my fingers for him, hope he gets on ok.

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No and no, I have my fingers crossed too, hopefully it's just a soft tissue cyst or something like that.

I just went looking for the rabbits in the lounge, surprise surprise they weren't there!! :roll:

Best of luck to Harvey. Hope its something simple and treatable (and not an abcess).
Hope you legs are feeling better too!