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Mass on elderly lop's ear

M

MichelleBee

Alpha Buck
Hi there,

I wondered if anyone could help?

I've had my old boy, Lucky, at the vets today for what I thought was an abscess on the outside of his ear. It turns out that it's a solid mass 😔

The vet did a biopsy today and we should have the results in a week. I'm hoping that it's either benign or possibly a compacted abscess, but my gut feeling tells me that it is probably cancerous, especially as it is starting to ulcerate.

The only slightly positive thing is that it isn't protruding to the inside of his ear as yet. It does seem to be fairly fast growing though.

Given that he is at least 9, we are really reluctant to let him have a GA, unless it is essential and there is the possibility of a good outcome.

The vet has given us antibiotics and pain relief until we get the results and decide whether to go to a specialist.

Lucky is still eating well and running around, so he's perfectly happy.

I just wondered if anyone had any experience of this or any advice?

Thanks
 
JJ (now Inspector Morse) is the local bunny ear expert. Hopefully she will be along soon.

You seem to have some good advice from your vet. A specialist consult is a good idea, if it won't stress out bunny. Sometimes it can be a consult by phone etc with your regular vet, to save travelling.

I suspect you may need some imaging of the head / ear to confirm exactly what you are dealing with in terms of size, location, etc - even if not exactly what it is.

I have had 9yo rabbits undergo GA or sedation with no issues. As long as there are no underlying health issues (maybe get routine bloods done first?) and the vet is used to doing rabbit surgery, I would go ahead with any recommendations if they are likely to help.

There are a range of antibiotics and pain relief available to deal with eg abscesses. Manuka honey is also good to aid healing - applied to the surgcalal site or abscess - something else to ask your vet about.
 
I can’t really add to what Shimmer has posted. I have had a Rabbit who developed a hard mass on his ear which turned out to be benign. It never ulcerated and was successfully surgically removed. I hope the biopsy gives a benign result for your Rabbit x
 
I don’t have any experience of this but I hope it turns out to be nothing serious. Sending lots of vibes xx
 
Thank you for all the help.

Before I posted, I felt as though it was definitely going to be a bad outcome, but you've given me hope, so thank you.

Fingers crossed for a positive prognosis.
 
So the results are back. Unfortunately it's inconclusive, so we are being referred to a specialist.

Hopefully they will fit us in soon.

Thanks again for the advice.
 
Just a quick update..

Lucky saw the specialist on Friday, who said that he needs part of his ear removing. He's hopefully having the op tomorrow, once they've checked him over again.

To complicate things further, he developed a head tilt on Saturday and seems to be having trouble eating, which is obviously causing him issues. The vet thinks that it's probably all related, so fingers crossed he is well enough tomorrow.

I'm very scared about the whole thing and am just hoping that he pulls through :(
 
MichelleBee said:
Just a quick update..

Lucky saw the specialist on Friday, who said that he needs part of his ear removing. He's hopefully having the op tomorrow, once they've checked him over again.

To complicate things further, he developed a head tilt on Saturday and seems to be having trouble eating, which is obviously causing him issues. The vet thinks that it's probably all related, so fingers crossed he is well enough tomorrow.

I'm very scared about the whole thing and am just hoping that he pulls through :(
Click to expand...

Poor lad :cry: I really hope that there will be a good outcome for him x
 
Hope all goes well tomorrow.

It's important to keep him eating as normally as possible, right up to the operation. Keep an eye on his poo - if it changes (smaller, less frequent, odd shapes), he may need to see the vet again. Gut stasis is a serious condition that needs urgent treatment.

He may find it easier to eat softened pellets, or grass instead of hay, etc. You can also do top up feeds by syringe, either using his normal pellets mushed up with a bit of puree (eg apple or carrot baby food), or using a recovery powder (such as Oxbow Critical Care or Supreme Recovery).

Feeding in a different way may also make it easier for him - such as a saucer instead of a bowl, or hanging fresh veg / leaves up at nose height.
 
Lucky has had his op and is now back at home. All seems to have gone well and the vet is pleased with him.

He's a little subdued, but eating and moving around a bit, so hopefully we are heading in the right direction.

Thanks everyone for the advice and support.
 
MichelleBee said:
Lucky has had his op and is now back at home. All seems to have gone well and the vet is pleased with him.

He's a little subdued, but eating and moving around a bit, so hopefully we are heading in the right direction.

Thanks everyone for the advice and support.
Click to expand...

This sounds promising. I hope he recovers well
 
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