Spreading lump on cheek? Please help!!

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could help me with a diagnosis of some sort? Basically 2 months ago my 5 year old Netherland Dwarf developed a sudden red lump on his nose. We thought it could be burn from the radioactive as he likes to be near them or some sort of sore so we put some sudocrem on. After a week we noticed it was getting larger so we took him to a vet who said he’s sure it’s myxomatos and there’s nothing he can do and gave us some isaderm which helped with the swelling. The isaderm didn’t really stop the spreading just the swelling and redness, I done some research on myxomatos and I was sure it wasn’t what he had, he was still him usual self showing no signs of pain or illness and the lump was very red as opposed to grey lumps I had seen with the photos of myxomatosis. After the cream ran out we returned to a different vet and he had a look. At first look he said it’s definitely not myxo. I asked about dental problems or an abscess because I know they are very common in this area, he tried to squeeze it and he said it’s hard so he thinks it’s a tumour and they can test it but it will be very expensive. He prescribed antibiotics which had no affect and I did some more research. I read online abscesses are usually hard because rabbit pus has a thick consistency, and they are so common on the cheek area whereas a tumor on the face is rare. I have no idea what to do as the vet wouldn’t even look in his mouth. I managed to get some more isaderm but it’s now rapidly spreading. Some days it’s really crusty but sometime it’s moist and it was bleeding the other day where he is excessively cleaning it. He doesn’t seem in pain and is his normal self, but I have noticed now he having trouble chewing and one nostril is very small from the swelling so something needs to be done ASAP!! I spoke to another vet who said they can do an anaesthetic and look in his mouth but still so expensive and I’m low on money and paid a lot for 2 vets to tell me they’re not sure. So want to be certain of what it possibly could be before I go ahead. Please tell me your thoughts of if you have seen anything similar. I also have another rabbit and she is absolutely fine so it can’t be anything contagious?

https://pasteboard.co/HOY5tLD.jpg

louise1710 said:

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could help me with a diagnosis of some sort? Basically 2 months ago my 5 year old Netherland Dwarf developed a sudden red lump on his nose. We thought it could be burn from the radioactive as he likes to be near them or some sort of sore so we put some sudocrem on. After a week we noticed it was getting larger so we took him to a vet who said he’s sure it’s myxomatos and there’s nothing he can do and gave us some isaderm which helped with the swelling. The isaderm didn’t really stop the spreading just the swelling and redness, I done some research on myxomatos and I was sure it wasn’t what he had, he was still him usual self showing no signs of pain or illness and the lump was very red as opposed to grey lumps I had seen with the photos of myxomatosis. After the cream ran out we returned to a different vet and he had a look. At first look he said it’s definitely not myxo. I asked about dental problems or an abscess because I know they are very common in this area, he tried to squeeze it and he said it’s hard so he thinks it’s a tumour and they can test it but it will be very expensive. He prescribed antibiotics which had no affect and I did some more research. I read online abscesses are usually hard because rabbit pus has a thick consistency, and they are so common on the cheek area whereas a tumor on the face is rare. I have no idea what to do as the vet wouldn’t even look in his mouth. I managed to get some more isaderm but it’s now rapidly spreading. Some days it’s really crusty but sometime it’s moist and it was bleeding the other day where he is excessively cleaning it. He doesn’t seem in pain and is his normal self, but I have noticed now he having trouble chewing and one nostril is very small from the swelling so something needs to be done ASAP!! I spoke to another vet who said they can do an anaesthetic and look in his mouth but still so expensive and I’m low on money and paid a lot for 2 vets to tell me they’re not sure. So want to be certain of what it possibly could be before I go ahead. Please tell me your thoughts of if you have seen anything similar. I also have another rabbit and she is absolutely fine so it can’t be anything contagious.

https://www.rabbitsonline.net/attachments/1cb91fcb-f0fd-4c7e-8188-48f6a1d4b1e3-jpeg.38722/

Click to expand...

Could you post a photo of the Bunny ? The link you have posted does not show any images.

Has the Vet mentioned Treponematosis (Rabbit Syphilis) as a possibility ?

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Bacterial/Treponema_Inf_Rabbits.htm

Sorry, new to forums but I have changed the link so hopefully it will work, but no the vet didn’t mention it but I had a look into it myself.. but surely my other rabbit would have it too? It’s contageous right?

louise1710 said:

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could help me with a diagnosis of some sort? Basically 2 months ago my 5 year old Netherland Dwarf developed a sudden red lump on his nose. We thought it could be burn from the radioactive as he likes to be near them or some sort of sore so we put some sudocrem on. After a week we noticed it was getting larger so we took him to a vet who said he’s sure it’s myxomatos and there’s nothing he can do and gave us some isaderm which helped with the swelling. The isaderm didn’t really stop the spreading just the swelling and redness, I done some research on myxomatos and I was sure it wasn’t what he had, he was still him usual self showing no signs of pain or illness and the lump was very red as opposed to grey lumps I had seen with the photos of myxomatosis. After the cream ran out we returned to a different vet and he had a look. At first look he said it’s definitely not myxo. I asked about dental problems or an abscess because I know they are very common in this area, he tried to squeeze it and he said it’s hard so he thinks it’s a tumour and they can test it but it will be very expensive. He prescribed antibiotics which had no affect and I did some more research. I read online abscesses are usually hard because rabbit pus has a thick consistency, and they are so common on the cheek area whereas a tumor on the face is rare. I have no idea what to do as the vet wouldn’t even look in his mouth. I managed to get some more isaderm but it’s now rapidly spreading. Some days it’s really crusty but sometime it’s moist and it was bleeding the other day where he is excessively cleaning it. He doesn’t seem in pain and is his normal self, but I have noticed now he having trouble chewing and one nostril is very small from the swelling so something needs to be done ASAP!! I spoke to another vet who said they can do an anaesthetic and look in his mouth but still so expensive and I’m low on money and paid a lot for 2 vets to tell me they’re not sure. So want to be certain of what it possibly could be before I go ahead. Please tell me your thoughts of if you have seen anything similar. I also have another rabbit and she is absolutely fine so it can’t be anything contagious?

https://pasteboard.co/HOY5tLD.jpg

Click to expand...

Hi Louise and welcome to the Forum

I've looked at the photo of your bunny and it's not nice, is it?

Is it still spreading?

Has your vet thought it might be some sort of bacterial infection?
Rabbits can get syphilis, and it's easily treated with penicillin injections.

There are some photos on this link which at first glance look a little like the photo you've posted on your bunny.

Have a look and see what you think.

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Bacterial/Syphilis.htm

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Bacterial/Syph_gen.html

Have you a savvy vet? You can always post a message in Rabbit Chat here on the Forum

"Rabbit Savvy Vet needed in (your location)"

...and members will help you out with their recommendations.

Alternatively you could look here:

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/vetfinder/vets-owners-recommendations


http://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/rabbit-friendly-vets/rabbit-friendly-vet-list/

louise1710 said:

Sorry, new to forums but I have changed the link so hopefully it will work, but no the vet didn’t mention it but I had a look into it myself.. but surely my other rabbit would have it too? It’s contageous right?

Click to expand...

In theory 'yes', usually via mating or during birth (Doe to kits). Also, it can be transmitted via contact with an open lesion. I have had a couple of Rabbits who had Treponematosis but their companion never displayed any symptoms. Also both of my effected Rabbits only had lesions on their mouths/noses. Not on their genitals. In both cases the symptoms resolved after a course of treatment - ie an injection of Penicillin once a week for 3 weeks. Neither Rabbit had been used for Breeding, but both came from different Breeders and the virus was probably contracted during birth. Neither of my Rabbits had any relapses during their lifetime x

louise1710 said:

Sorry, new to forums but I have changed the link so hopefully it will work, but no the vet didn’t mention it but I had a look into it myself.. but surely my other rabbit would have it too? It’s contageous right?

Click to expand...

Not necessarily - in Rescue we've had the odd one who's had it and none of the others in the group.

Thanks for all the replies everyone, you are so helpful!! But the lump is very swollen and I can feel some swelling under his jaw too. Could that still be the case with treponematosis?

louise1710 said:

Sorry, new to forums but I have changed the link so hopefully it will work, but no the vet didn’t mention it but I had a look into it myself.. but surely my other rabbit would have it too? It’s contageous right?

Click to expand...

I have a rabbit who has had Treponematosis twice in the past. Both times it has been treated successfully with Penicillin injections. Each time he has not been separated from his bonded partners and they have not caught it.

It's difficult for me to say whether your rabbit looks exactly like mine did as the sores on my rabbit were not so extensive. In my view it's worth discussing with a vet, who is used to treating rabbits, the possibility of this diagnosis and of giving Penicillin injections a trial. A bottle of Penicillin is not expensive.

louise1710 said:

Thanks for all the replies everyone, you are so helpful!! But the lump is very swollen and I can feel some swelling under his jaw too. Could that still be the case with treponematosis?

Click to expand...

To me that sounds more like an abscess. Can you try to locate a Rabbit Savvy Vet that is within travelling distance ? The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund have suggestions on here

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/rabbit-friendly-vets/rabbit-friendly-vet-list/

Whilst one would expect all Vets to have a good range of knowledge about Rabbits, the UKs 3rd most popular Pet, this is far from the case. Mostly due to the fact that there is only a very small amount of the Vet Med curriculum that covers Rabbits. So it is up to the individual Vet to expand their knowledge about the species. Finding a Rabbit Savvy Vet usually means that you dont spend a lot of money on consultations and come away with no answers and/or treatments that dont work.

louise1710 said:

Thanks for all the replies everyone, you are so helpful!! But the lump is very swollen and I can feel some swelling under his jaw too. Could that still be the case with treponematosis?

Click to expand...

You're welcome!

As I said in my first post, I would advise contacting a Rabbit Savvy Vet to help you deal with this.

It could be an abscess, because of the swelling, and if it is, then it's imperative that you get the rabbit seen to asap.

Is the lump actually increasing in size, and does it feel hot to the touch?

No it’s not hot to touch and it’s is swelling slowly as the isaderm reduces it but I think he’s having trouble breathing out one nostril because of the swelling. But it’s rapidly spreading especially his past month, does and abscess do this? And he is cleaning it excessively which could also be a reason.

louise1710 said:

No it’s not hot to touch and it’s is swelling slowly as the isaderm reduces it but I think he’s having trouble breathing out one nostril because of the swelling. But it’s rapidly spreading especially his past month, does and abscess do this? And he is cleaning it excessively which could also be a reason.

Click to expand...

We aren't really qualified to diagnose something as potentially serious as this , and my best advice is to see a good vet asap.

Poor little bunny - that looks awful I have no useful advice apart from saying to persevere with vets, but look for one that specialises in buns xx

Poor bunny I agree with the others, I would find a rabbit savvy vet and get him seen as a matter of urgency. Sending lots of vibes for him.

Hi Louise

How is your rabbit now?

Update - so I have just returned from the vet who looked in his mouth, they said it’s nothing to do with his teeth and it must be a tumor and there’s nothing they cans do and advised me to put him to sleep. I have been given some metacam to keep him comfortable but devastated. Any advice?

louise1710 said:

Update - so I have just returned from the vet who looked in his mouth, they said it’s nothing to do with his teeth and it must be a tumor and there’s nothing they cans do and advised me to put him to sleep. I have been given some metacam to keep him comfortable but devastated. Any advice?

Click to expand...

I’m so very sorry to hear this I’m sorry this post got missed yesterday. Is your vet a rabbit savvy exotics vet? If not i would suggest getting an opinion from a different expert vet. You can post on hear asking for recommendations for vets in your town, or try the rwaf vet list https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/rabbit-friendly-vets/rabbit-friendly-vet-list/