*UPDATE -It's an abscess* Facial swelling - amongst other things! Nobivac reaction?

[Craig 1965]

Sending healing vibes for Conker. I hope the procedure goes well and he recovers from it. x

 

[MightyMax]

Hi Mightymax,

Yes thank you for that. It is a worry but I do appreciate her honesty. I have known her for a while and she always goes above and beyond for us, so I respect what she is saying.

He just had one dose of depocillin injected on Friday evening, which I was led to believe will be ok to tide him over until Monday morning at the specialists.

Ah insurance! I had a lot of trouble getting insurance for Conker when we got him in October 2016, because of his slight head tilt. Petplan would provide cover, but on the condition that all head / face conditions were excluded for 2 years. If after this time he had no issues, Petplan would cover any mentioned conditions upon receipt of a confirmation from the vet. Unfortunatley that 2 year deadline is 3 months away, so we've just missed out

Thank goodness for overdrafts and family members who are willing to lend me a penny or two!

Oh good grief, how unlucky about PetPlan!

I really hope it all goes well. With any luck you'll be given a bottle of depocillin and some needles and syringes so you can keep up the good work at home after his surgery. That's what's usually used for abscesses, but I'll be interested in what your vet says.

Sending vibes for you and little Conker. You both deserve a break and I hope everything goes well x

 

[Omi]

I am sorry to read about Conker. I respect your vet for her honesty and it's what I would expect and be reassured about if it were my vet. If Conker has an issue which is not straightforward, you and he need a specialist to provide the best treatment for him, although I do understand your disappointment.

I hope that the specialist tomorrow can establish a good treatment plan for Conker. If it were me, I would speak to Petplan and challenge their refusal to pay. I think it would be reasonable for them to pay at least part of the cost of treatment.

Sending lots of vibes for Conker.

 

[treacletrim]

Hi everyone,

well we went to see the specialist yesterday and I feel a little more encouraged about the situation.

Conker's abscess is huge by all accounts, and stretches right from his ear base round and under his jaw so it's all rather scary to be honest, and I can't believe how he's been hiding it just in a slightly puffed cheek! The exotics vet was fantastic though and not daunted by tackling it. It's still not clear what the root cause is, as he has showed absolutely no symptoms, and there is no evidence of tooth root / inner ear issues upon external examination. Although of course the head X Rays he's going to have will shed light on all this.

So he's in for X-Rays and full surgery on Friday, a nervous wait until then! In the meantime he's on a low dose of metacam and very well in himself, eating / drinking / pooping galore. Bless him.

Thanks for all your replies and support, no doubt I'll be checking in regularly after his surgery needing tips!

xx

 

[Zoobec]

Bless him I’m glad he’s feeling well in himself. It’s really good that the specialist is confident about tackling it, that must have been very reassuring :thumb: sending lots of vibes for Friday:thumb:

 

[MightyMax]

Hi everyone,

well we went to see the specialist yesterday and I feel a little more encouraged about the situation.

Conker's abscess is huge by all accounts, and stretches right from his ear base round and under his jaw so it's all rather scary to be honest, and I can't believe how he's been hiding it just in a slightly puffed cheek! The exotics vet was fantastic though and not daunted by tackling it. It's still not clear what the root cause is, as he has showed absolutely no symptoms, and there is no evidence of tooth root / inner ear issues upon external examination. Although of course the head X Rays he's going to have will shed light on all this.

So he's in for X-Rays and full surgery on Friday, a nervous wait until then! In the meantime he's on a low dose of metacam and very well in himself, eating / drinking / pooping galore. Bless him.

Thanks for all your replies and support, no doubt I'll be checking in regularly after his surgery needing tips!

xx

I'll be thinking of you on Friday and hope all goes well!

 

[Jack's-Jane]

Hi everyone,

well we went to see the specialist yesterday and I feel a little more encouraged about the situation.

Conker's abscess is huge by all accounts, and stretches right from his ear base round and under his jaw so it's all rather scary to be honest, and I can't believe how he's been hiding it just in a slightly puffed cheek! The exotics vet was fantastic though and not daunted by tackling it. It's still not clear what the root cause is, as he has showed absolutely no symptoms, and there is no evidence of tooth root / inner ear issues upon external examination. Although of course the head X Rays he's going to have will shed light on all this.

So he's in for X-Rays and full surgery on Friday, a nervous wait until then! In the meantime he's on a low dose of metacam and very well in himself, eating / drinking / pooping galore. Bless him.

Thanks for all your replies and support, no doubt I'll be checking in regularly after his surgery needing tips!

xx

It sounds as though you have a great Specialist Vet on board now and I really hope that the surgery goes well on Friday xx

 

[treacletrim]

Hi all,

just a little update on Conker, we had quite a day with him yesterday.

Conker's X Rays didn't show anything particularly untoward. No issues with tooth roots, eyes (if you can tell that on X Rays) or ears. They said although his inner ear couldn't be ruled out, there was certainly no visible evidence of this, and he has shown no illness. When I questioned the possible cause as being the wound in his mouth when we picked him up, the vet said 'I suppose it could be and the infection tracked', so nothing really committal from them in that respect.

Conker was in surgery quite a long time and it was much trickier than anticipated. The abscess was a two pronged 'V' shape, and it had also started tracking his neck and encroaching on important blood vessels (!). Despite all of this they managed to remove 90% of it, and removed the capsule (I'm guessing that means the outer wall as opposed to lance / drain / flush) which I'm guessing is good? They couldn't remove a small amount near his ear, but by that point he had been under a long time and they decided to leave it for now as it had been very invasive and he'd had enough. He may need a smaller procedure later, or perhaps antibiotics will shift it. He is on sulfatrim for now but I'm suspecting depocillin is the best course....but then again I'm not a vet and they'll decide when the culture comes back He has quite a long incision along his face with some dissolving stitches, but they have left a small opening near his ear that we have to flush out twice a day, with cooled boiled water for now. They have said to leave the manuka honey / antiseptic solution wash for now until the culture test comes back, and because his wound is quite raw inside at the moment. He looks very sorry for himself!

He is on A good dose of metacam twice a day, sulfatrim (until culture comes back) and ranitadine.

I expected to be syringe feeding him for a few days due to the procedure being more invasive and the location, but when we got home last night he ate 2 small plates of softened pellets, had a good drink, some herbs and a plate of chopped up grass. He headbutted me asking for treats this morning and stole a leaf from his wifebun Patsy, he is not acting ill at all. I know its early days but I'm hopeful he'll keep eating so well. He is gobbling up his meds wrapped in mint leaves!

We did our first flush this morning which was very difficult and I got quite upset about it, but I suppose we'll get used to it. We'll have to!

Thanks again for all your well wishes xx

 

[Zoobec]

I’m glad the surgery is over, fingers crossed that the antibiotics clear the rest of it up. He sounds a brave boy, I’m glad he’s eating and feeling ok within himself. Topping up the vibes for him.

It’s hard when we have to do things that need doing but are so tricky. I hope the flushes become easier for you to cope with xx

 

[Omi]

Sending loads more vibes for Conker.

 

[kattymieoww]

Sending healing vibes for your brave boy. x

 

[Jack's-Jane]

Goodness, poor lad. It is good news that the Vet managed to remove the abscess capsule and certainly taking swabs for MC+S testing will insure that the most suitable abx is prescribed. In the meantime sulfatrim will hopefully 'hold' things, so-to-speak.

Whilst many folk find flushing abscesses unpleasant it is an important part of the aftercare and I am sure you will cope brilliantly even if you have to grit your teeth every time you do it.

Being on Ranitidine will help in two ways, it'll protect his stomach from ulceration whilst he is on a high dose of meloxicam and Ranitidine also prokinetic effects which will help keep his GI tract motility ticking over.

How amazing that he is eating for himself, that really is a positive sign. He sounds to be in reasonably good spirits too. That can only be a benefit to his recovery.
Sending lots more vibes for your brave boy

 

[MightyMax]

Hi all,

just a little update on Conker, we had quite a day with him yesterday.

Conker's X Rays didn't show anything particularly untoward. No issues with tooth roots, eyes (if you can tell that on X Rays) or ears. They said although his inner ear couldn't be ruled out, there was certainly no visible evidence of this, and he has shown no illness. When I questioned the possible cause as being the wound in his mouth when we picked him up, the vet said 'I suppose it could be and the infection tracked', so nothing really committal from them in that respect.

Conker was in surgery quite a long time and it was much trickier than anticipated. The abscess was a two pronged 'V' shape, and it had also started tracking his neck and encroaching on important blood vessels (!). Despite all of this they managed to remove 90% of it, and removed the capsule (I'm guessing that means the outer wall as opposed to lance / drain / flush) which I'm guessing is good? They couldn't remove a small amount near his ear, but by that point he had been under a long time and they decided to leave it for now as it had been very invasive and he'd had enough. He may need a smaller procedure later, or perhaps antibiotics will shift it. He is on sulfatrim for now but I'm suspecting depocillin is the best course....but then again I'm not a vet and they'll decide when the culture comes back He has quite a long incision along his face with some dissolving stitches, but they have left a small opening near his ear that we have to flush out twice a day, with cooled boiled water for now. They have said to leave the manuka honey / antiseptic solution wash for now until the culture test comes back, and because his wound is quite raw inside at the moment. He looks very sorry for himself!

He is on A good dose of metacam twice a day, sulfatrim (until culture comes back) and ranitadine.

I expected to be syringe feeding him for a few days due to the procedure being more invasive and the location, but when we got home last night he ate 2 small plates of softened pellets, had a good drink, some herbs and a plate of chopped up grass. He headbutted me asking for treats this morning and stole a leaf from his wifebun Patsy, he is not acting ill at all. I know its early days but I'm hopeful he'll keep eating so well. He is gobbling up his meds wrapped in mint leaves!

We did our first flush this morning which was very difficult and I got quite upset about it, but I suppose we'll get used to it. We'll have to!

Thanks again for all your well wishes xx

What a very brave boy your Conker is!

I am delighted that they took out the abscess capsule as well, as that will make an enormous difference to his recovery. Yes the sulfatrim is great, but do consider (and ask for if it's appropriate) the depocillin. A bottle of the stuff preferably and a loads of needles and syringes and lots of instruction on how to do it

I am glad he's on Metacam and Ranitidine. Ranitidine (Zantac) will help keep the gut moving and it also protects the stomach if he doesn't eat so much for a while. It will also give added protection from the Metacam (NSAID)

I am so glad he's in good spirits. That must raise your heart to watch

Yes flushing is difficult but you really will get used to it. I hope he's not an arch wriggler as that makes it twice as hard to do. I've had bunnies who are good being held and those that won't stay still when you try and flush out their abscesses.

Wishing you and Conker all the luck in the world :wave:

 

[JuliaW]

Wishing you and conker a speedy recovery. It's amazing he is eating by himself so soon and hopefully a really positive sign.

Sent from my SM-G361F using Tapatalk

 

[treacletrim]

Hi everyone, just a little update to let you know Conker is doing well.

But I need to pick your brains again!

After 4 days we are finally getting the hang of flushing it seems, yey! As the vets managed to surgically remove nearly all of the abscess capsule, am I correct in thinking the flushing aspect won't be as long as if the abscess had been drained? That little wound really want to heal up, but I know we can't let it until we're done!

The vet was very pleased with him at the check up yesterday. However we are facing a different issue with him now - the his disappearing appetite

He was ravenous the first 2 days after his op, but his appetite has now gradually dwindled. I understand the pain element in all of this, especially with the location, but he is also on sulfatrim (until culture test comes back) which I understand does not do their appetite any favours.

I believe his pain is being controlled well, his body language would certainly suggest so (running around well, flopping, loafing) although I know eating won't be as easy. I haven't had to syringe feed yet but will do of course to top him up. I'm trying to give him more regular smaller feeds as I realise chewing will become unconformable.

I'm basically going by the rule of let him eat what he wants. He is not interested in pellets at all (of varying textures, from liquid mush to solid, and everything in between...) and is only really interested in fresh greens. Which is great but I'm concerned he won't be getting the calories he needs. I'm feeding him whatever fresh forage and herbs he wants, and trying to dribble some critical care / pellet mush on there. He is also having fresh grass, and he's surprisingly interested in hay too. I'll be going shopping and buying all the things they shouldn't usually have much of, to try and entice him fruit & veg etc).

He has had a little porridge (soaked porridge oats) and I've been recommended barley rings too.

Does anyone have any further ideas for how I can encourage him to eat more, and how I can sneak extra things in? Despite this, and his smaller poops, the vet said his gut sounds were great yesterday.

Thanks!

 

[MightyMax]

Hi everyone, just a little update to let you know Conker is doing well.

But I need to pick your brains again!

After 4 days we are finally getting the hang of flushing it seems, yey! As the vets managed to surgically remove nearly all of the abscess capsule, am I correct in thinking the flushing aspect won't be as long as if the abscess had been drained? That little wound really want to heal up, but I know we can't let it until we're done!

The vet was very pleased with him at the check up yesterday. However we are facing a different issue with him now - the his disappearing appetite

He was ravenous the first 2 days after his op, but his appetite has now gradually dwindled. I understand the pain element in all of this, especially with the location, but he is also on sulfatrim (until culture test comes back) which I understand does not do their appetite any favours.

I believe his pain is being controlled well, his body language would certainly suggest so (running around well, flopping, loafing) although I know eating won't be as easy. I haven't had to syringe feed yet but will do of course to top him up. I'm trying to give him more regular smaller feeds as I realise chewing will become unconformable.

I'm basically going by the rule of let him eat what he wants. He is not interested in pellets at all (of varying textures, from liquid mush to solid, and everything in between...) and is only really interested in fresh greens. Which is great but I'm concerned he won't be getting the calories he needs. I'm feeding him whatever fresh forage and herbs he wants, and trying to dribble some critical care / pellet mush on there. He is also having fresh grass, and he's surprisingly interested in hay too. I'll be going shopping and buying all the things they shouldn't usually have much of, to try and entice him fruit & veg etc).

He has had a little porridge (soaked porridge oats) and I've been recommended barley rings too.

Does anyone have any further ideas for how I can encourage him to eat more, and how I can sneak extra things in? Despite this, and his smaller poops, the vet said his gut sounds were great yesterday.

Thanks!

Glad to hear he's doing well Yes I agree, when the abscess capsule has been removed the flushing becomes an altogether different thing. I found in one instance that there was no flushing to do. The abscess should heal up nicely.

When will the C&S results come through? In my experience it's important to begin them on the relevant antibiotic asap. The C&S doesn't always throw anything up and my vet usually recommends injectable penicillin from the outset and ongoing for a period of time.

Regards food ... Have you tried him with fibafirst sticks? You could break them up (as small as you need to) and mix them with grated apple and carrot so that they are nicely flavoured (though they are nommy anyway) and also softened a bit.

Porridge oats are good, and sunflower seeds (just the kernel) which if you are worried about choking you can grind up. I've never had a rabbit choke on them but best to let you know

Yes barley rings - pretty hard and may nee a bit of softening?

My rabbits also go mad for either freshly juiced veggies, or if you don't have a juicer, then put some apple and greens etc into a blender and whizz. Sometimes they like to lap it up (mine do). It seems to boost their appetite for some reason.

Well you can but try. Good luck

 

[Zoobec]

You could try mashed banana, or fruit or veg baby food, such as apple, pear or carrot etc, mixed with mashed pellets or recovery food. Ella’s kitchen is a good one. When my rabbit went into stasis I had difficulty getting syringe feeds in, due to stressing him, but he would eat the recovery food mixed with banana.

Topping up the vibes for him xx

 

[treacletrim]

Hi Zoobec and Mightmax,

thank you for your suggestions, I will definitely try the ones I haven't already! I have tried baby food on it's own and with CC mixed in to no avail. Fibafirst sticks - he has shown interest in but doesn't like them softened so that's a good idea to break them up a bit. Some fab suggestions there though

The C&S swabs take 7-10 days, and its been 4. We have a follow up appointment this Saturday so I hope they are back then. Yes I agree re: injectable penicillin....actually my usual vet who referred us started him off on that. But the exotic specialist (on the RWAF list too) who took over the treatment has decided on sulfatrim for now, until the results come back. I'll see how he goes but I would really like him on e.g. depocillin asap if thats the best choice, and am happy with injecting myself.

Thanks again, we shall keep plodding on! xx

 

[MightyMax]

Hi Zoobec and Mightmax,

thank you for your suggestions, I will definitely try the ones I haven't already! I have tried baby food on it's own and with CC mixed in to no avail. Fibafirst sticks - he has shown interest in but doesn't like them softened so that's a good idea to break them up a bit. Some fab suggestions there though

The C&S swabs take 7-10 days, and its been 4. We have a follow up appointment this Saturday so I hope they are back then. Yes I agree re: injectable penicillin....actually my usual vet who referred us started him off on that. But the exotic specialist (on the RWAF list too) who took over the treatment has decided on sulfatrim for now, until the results come back. I'll see how he goes but I would really like him on e.g. depocillin asap if thats the best choice, and am happy with injecting myself.

Thanks again, we shall keep plodding on! xx

You're welcome

I hope you can get him started on useful ABX really soon so he'll begin to heal from the inside out