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Facial abscess

L

LunaNev1

New Kit
Hey Everyone,
I haven't used this site much before but could really use some advice/ peace of mind.
I have 2 outdoor bunnies, Luna and Neville who are about 4 (rescues so not sure).

Recently I took Nev to the vet with a bit of a red eye and he was given eyedrops for a week. Took him back as I could feel a lump under his eye, which has turned out to be an abscess. I am so gutted.

The abscess was lanced and we have been giving him antibiotics and eye drops twice daily, as well as keeping the abscess site open. His behaviours really changed because of how stressful its been, he's gone to the vets 4 times in the last 7 days and being being constantly administered meds by us at home. He's spending a lot of time on his own, behind the hutch which isn't like him as him and Luna are best buds.

So I went to vets again this morn and they have reffered me to a specialist this afternoon (Anton in Andover) as the abscess site is refilling again and they don't know what to suggest. I'm so worried about the stress this is causing him, plus I know a facial abscess on a rabbit isn't an easy fix. The thought of anything happening to him, leaving Luna alone breaks my heart. Even worse I have to fly to Italy with work next week leaving my partner to deal with this on his own. ( if it was a holiday I would have already canceled, but my job is what's paying vet bills atm so it makes it very difficult)

Anyone who's had a similar situation that can offer any advice/ tips would be really appreciated. Sorry to write a small book about this, but I just want my 2 babies to be safe and happy at home.
 
I'm sorry that Nev has an abscess. As you have said, they are sometimes lengthy and difficult to treat. I have only had experience of one facial abscess and that was treated successfully by complete excision plus a lengthy course of Penicillin injections.

I'm pleased that you are being seen at Anton Vets this afternoon and hope that they will be able to offer some advice and further treatment.

Let us know how you get on.
 
Hi Omi,
Thanks for your reply, im really glad you managed to get your bunny sorted. The vet has given me metacam to give as well as antibiotics for another week, and Nevs booked in for another appointment in 2 weeks time.
I was given options to either remove the entire abscess and hope it doesn't come back but know I could be just removing symptoms of a problem. Or pay £650 for CT scans to see if it's a tooth root issue. The vet said it would likely be over £1000 on top of the CT costs if teeth do need removing.

It's a lot to think about but I need to get him sorted. Only thing I thought was odd is I asked about penicillin injections after the abscess removal and the vet said it's poisonous to rabbits and kills all the bacteria in their gut. This is so different to everything else I've read where penicillin injections seem to be the only thing that works! She seemed like a really great vet though.

Did you jsut get the abscess removed Omi or did you check teeth and things first? Would be good to know from someone who's already done this.
Thanks x
 
Penicillin is really dangerous if ingested but not if its injected. That's quite a lot of cash! Lots of vibes for Nev
 
Penicillin given by injection can be used for Rabbits. It is highly toxic if given orally. I think that you will find Anton Vets will give you sound advice about treatment options.

I have had Rabbits respond well to surgical removal of the abscess and a course of Penicillin Injections. In each case the abscesses were confined to soft tissue and not related to tooth root infections.
 
LunaNev1 said:
Hi Omi,
Thanks for your reply, im really glad you managed to get your bunny sorted. The vet has given me metacam to give as well as antibiotics for another week, and Nevs booked in for another appointment in 2 weeks time.
I was given options to either remove the entire abscess and hope it doesn't come back but know I could be just removing symptoms of a problem. Or pay £650 for CT scans to see if it's a tooth root issue. The vet said it would likely be over £1000 on top of the CT costs if teeth do need removing.

It's a lot to think about but I need to get him sorted. Only thing I thought was odd is I asked about penicillin injections after the abscess removal and the vet said it's poisonous to rabbits and kills all the bacteria in their gut. This is so different to everything else I've read where penicillin injections seem to be the only thing that works! She seemed like a really great vet though.

Did you jsut get the abscess removed Omi or did you check teeth and things first? Would be good to know from someone who's already done this.
Thanks x
Click to expand...

It was a cheek abscess that my Doe had when she was aged 4. She had never had any prior dental issues and I can't remember it being discussed whether it was related to tooth roots. There were certainly no investigations done on her teeth prior to the removal of the abscess. She had no recurrance of the abscess afterwards and lived for another 4 years. She also had no dental issues during her lifetime.

Is this latest advice from a vet at Anton Vets? If so, I am very surprised at the statement that Penicillin is poisonous to rabbits. As others have said, it certainly is if ingested, but in my view is a wonder abx when injected. I have used it for different rabbits for different illnesses and it has always been successful. Which abx have you been given for Nev?
 
Nevs never had any dental issues either, everything they can see just by looking in his mouth is fine. I think it's just the positioning of the abscess making them think it's worth checking his teeth. But I think I will get the CT scan just to check.
Yes this was the advice I got from a vet at Anton yesterday, and I did specifically ask about penecillin injections? He's having 0.5ml of Enrobactin twice a day, with 1.4ml of Metacam twice a day. I'm really hoping this helps him as vets didn't have space to get him in for a CT until the 19th.

Thanks for everyone's replies x
 
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