Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
And i've always been of the opinion with pets that all decisions should be made 100% in their interest. Do you think I am anywhere near the stage of having to choose putting Bellatrix to sleep over going through the operation that may not successful? Or am I thinking that the operation will be distressing than it will actually be?
I am sorry that Bella has a facial abscess. I would try to speak with the Vet again and explain your situation regarding being able to afford costly treatment. Many Vets will agree to known clients setting up a Payment Plan where-by the Client pays an agreed amount to their account each week/month.
With regards to the treatment, at this stage you do not know the precise details of what is going on for Bella. The Vet will need to establish how advanced the infection is, if there is tooth root involvement (so skull radiographs would be needed) and also if there is any evidence of osteomyelitis (infection in the bone). Again skull Xrays would be needed to establish this.
If the infection is simply involving soft tissue and if the Vet is able to excise the entire abscess capsule along with a good margin of healthy tissue then the prognosis can be good. Appropriate antibiotic cover would be needed for some time after surgery. The choice of antibiotics being based on a swabs taken from the abscess wall, not just from the pus which may actually be sterile.
Until the Vet can tell you more specific details of what Bella's infection involves try not to think too far ahead and make decisions without having all the facts. I know it's hard not to over-think things and get to 'worst case scenarios'. I am terrible for doing just that myself. But whilst facial/dental abscesses in Rabbits are a real challenge they are certainly not always an immediate death sentence. It can be possible to manage the problem in a more conservative way. This would be unlikely to bring about a cure, but it may well buy the Rabbit a fair bit more good quality time.
My advice is basically speak with the Vet again. Try to get the financial aspect of the situation addressed openly. There is nothing worse than living in terror of being faced with a bill we simply cannot meet. Many Vets are well aware of how finances have to be taken into account when deciding on treatment options for any Pet. Especially when treatments may need to be ongoing and the Pet is not Insured.
These links may be useful to take a look at and if the information given in the links raises any questions for you you could discuss them with the Vet.
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Dental_diseases/Treatment/Facial/abs_dental.htm
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Bacterial/Absc_treat/abscess_treat.htm
http://www.rabbitadvocates.org/newsletters/Spring_13.pdf
http://www.medirabbit.com/Radiography/Radioscan_main.htm
When you contact the Surgery I'd ask to speak with the actual Vet rather than Reception Staff/Vet Nurse. The Vet may need to call you back if she is busy, but most Vets are happy to do so for a Client who's Pet they are already treating.