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  • Please Note - Medical Advice

    Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.

    You should always consult your vet before following any suggestions for medication or treatment you have read about. The wrong treatment could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of drug interactions. Even non prescription drugs can do harm if given inappropriately.

    We are very grateful to members who take time to answer other members questions, but please do be clear in your replies that you are sharing personal experience and not giving instructions on what must be done.

    Urgent Medical Advice: If you need, or think you might need, urgent medical advice you should contact a vet. If it is out of working hours phone your vet's normal number and there should be an answer phone message with instructions on what to do.

those who have had buns with abcesses under the chin

The Vet needs to first establish if it is a tooth root abscess. Skull radiographs are likely to be needed and the total removal of the abscess capsule, including a margin of healthy tissue, is the preferable approach. Just 'draining' it is seldom curative. A swab taken from the wall of the abscess could be sent off for culture and sensitivity testing. This would provide information about the most suitable antibiotic to use. Baytril alone is seldom successful for treating Rabbit abscesses. If the infection is coming from a tooth root then it may be necessary to extract the tooth/tooth root. However, this may prove to be a complex procedure and the Vet may feel it to be a job for a specialist.

The cavity left by the abscess is best left partially open to allow daily flushing with sterile saline . Packing the cavity with Manuka Honey can also be useful.

Good post op analgesia is absolutely essential


Sorry for rushed reply !!

Sending vibes xx
 
From my experience, I would expect to have to:

- flush out the cavity (with water, dilute hibiscrub or saline) and fill with high factor manuka honey twice a day until it heals naturally. This will probably take 2-3 weeks, depending on the size of the hole. Cotton buds and 1ml syringes are useful.

Medication:
- painkillers / ant-inflammatory such as metacam orally (possibly twice a day for as long as needed)
- antibiotics such as depocillin or straptacare - by injection under the skin (at vet or they can show you how to do it at home). Anything from daily to every 3 days, depending on the one prescribed. Could go on for weeks / months - again depends on whether the source of the infection has gone and the size of the hole.

The most important thing when he gets home is to make sure he carries on eating and pooing normally. You may need to syringe feed him (eg oxbow critical care) every few hours if he is not eating by himself. Some bunnies bounce back straight away and start tucking in as normal. Some need a little encouragement - baby food (eg carrot, mixed veg), softened pellets, grated veg, herbs, dandelion leaves, grass rather than hay - anything to get them started.

If he is outside, he may need protecting from flies while he has an open wound (although it is easier at this time of year). Flystrike is a life threatening condition. It may be better to keep him inside for the first night after the op so that he is a bit warmer and you can see what he is eating / pooing.

My bunnies have never been bothered by the actual hole in their jaw. Have a good look at it yourself so that you know what it is like and you can check that it is healing properly.

If they have a partner bun, it can help them to keep it clean - although they will also eat all the nicer food.

Any problems, ring the vet or the vet nurses or go back for help or advice.
 
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