Base of ear lump - waxy buildup suggested

About two weeks ago we spotted a fairly sizeable lump (maybe the length of a fingertip) at the base of Obi's ear.

We took him to the vet where she said she thought it was waxy build-up and to wait and see what happened. He's not a lop but came to us 2-3 years ago with a VERY bad mite infestation which she thinks may have damaged his ear canal.

Over the next week it grew and changed shape (it now has a harder lump that protrudes a bit out of the main lump) so we took him back on Monday (saw a different vet) and were given some ear cleaner and told to massage the lump and come back if it got bigger or hadn't gotten smaller in a month.

The vet said he couldn't see any signs of it being abscessed and as he's already on antibiotics for a respiratory thing it's unlikely. Obi enjoys the lump being massaged, doesn't seem bothered by it at all and is behaving 100% normally. The vet thinks the respiratory thing might have triggered the wax problem.

The vet did mention about a CT scan and possible surgery but he said you'd want that as a last resort. I respect that but I'm worried that if he's been misdiagnosed we may be letting another problem get out of control.

I'm so worried and would love some advice.

ETA: I'm thinking of making the drive to somewhere with a CT scanner just for the scan to confirm what's going on. That's got to be a no brainer hasn't it?

I don’t have any experience of this so I can’t advise but I’m sending lots of vibes xx

Thankyou Zoobec, can always rely on you for a bit of support! You absolute babe x

Sounds very much like an ear base abscess to me, especially as he already has a RTI. Unfortunately ear base abscesses rarely resolve with just systemic antibiotics. Surgical intervention is usually needed.

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My lovely Lolly had an ear base abscess for which she needed surgery. She didn't have a CT scan though. I can't remember the details but Crab Lane Vets have never used CT scans for anything with my rabbits - I am guessing they confirmed with x-ray.

Thankyou both so much for your responses.

Do you guys mind me asking how you know an abscess from another type of lump?
I have so little faith in my vets but it's the best one I can get him to in reasonable distance


I'm expecting a call today to discuss the CT scan

If a small incision is made BY A VET over the lump from the outside a huge amount of thick pus will be released if it is an abscess.A fine needle aspiration of the lump might not achieve a lot as Rabbit pus is so thick and might not aspirate.

Brilliant, thankyou. Sounds like it's worth doing that to ascertain what's going on?

Deifnitely worth trying aspiration: abscesses are easier to treat the quicker they're started on IIRC.

I would probably go for surgical exploration / incision. As Jane says, an abscess would need surgical intervention, and the pus is very thick (it really is like soft cheese) and won't just run out of a small hole or be sucked into a needle (ie aspiration). Abscesses are normally treated with penicillin (eg depocillin) injections for quite a while (months?) after the capsule is surgically removed or cleaned out. You can do it at home after you have been shown how, so you don't need to travel to the vet every day or two.

If it's not an abscess and is obviously still getting bigger, I would still want to know what it is - which probably still means an anaesthetic and surgery. A CT scan still needs sedation, so I would hope for at least a biopsy or aspiration at the same time. At some point, it is likely to become an issue for the rabbit (eg causing pain), so it's best dealt with while he's fit and well so he can deal with any treatment, rather than when it's affecting eg his eating, and all the knock-on effects that can have.

You can always ask your vet to consult a specialist rabbit vet for advice, if there isn't one within travelling distance for you. Any X-rays or CT scan results, etc can be sent through to them so they can advise your vet on the best way forward.

Thankyou Shimmer. I'm still tremendously anxious but feel so much better equipped for this phone call thanks to all of you.

I have a membership with the RWAF so can request my vet consults with their rabbit specialist vet once we have something worth reporting :thumb:

BattleKat said:

Thankyou Shimmer. I'm still tremendously anxious but feel so much better equipped for this phone call thanks to all of you.

I have a membership with the RWAF so can request my vet consults with their rabbit specialist vet once we have something worth reporting :thumb:

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I believe it is the Veterinary Practice who needs to subscribe to the RWAF in order to obtain access to their Veterinary Advisor. I might be wrong though.

They can consult on your rabbit if you're with the RWAF, or any rabbit if the practice is a member.

So the phone call did not go well, he said they wouldn't want to cut in to it without knowing what it was and the only option really is this CT scan.
I'm waiting on calls from a couple of other vets today to see if we can travel to take him elsewhere, but if not then I'll book this CT scan. It's more than his insurance covers but at least it'll give us a definite answer and we can start treating whatever it is in confidence.

BattleKat said:

So the phone call did not go well, he said they wouldn't want to cut in to it without knowing what it was and the only option really is this CT scan.
I'm waiting on calls from a couple of other vets today to see if we can travel to take him elsewhere, but if not then I'll book this CT scan. It's more than his insurance covers but at least it'll give us a definite answer and we can start treating whatever it is in confidence.

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I hope that you find a Vet who can help.

Obi has been seen by highcroft and is currently booked in for surgery on Thursday but I'm questioning if it would be kinder to have him put to sleep.

His respiratory problem is bad; his left nostril is being eaten away and his left lung is affected. He has arthritis. The lump requires a serious surgery after which he'll have to wear a cone and I'll have to spray the **** out of his ear at least twice a day to keep it clean. There's an added risk because of his respiratory infection. It'll take about 3 weeks to heal if all goes well.

On the one hand I know he has no desire to live a long life, he'll know nothing and have been happy up until the end if I take him in tomorrow and have him put to sleep.
On the other hand, theoretically this all goes well and in a month or so he's back to his usual self, but there's also the risk that it doesn't go well, we have to have him put to sleep anyway and all of the stress and pain for both of us was for nothing.

I am not doing very well mentally at the moment and all of these decisions and generally weighing up whether I even want pets anymore is too much for me

Exactly what type of surgery is being done ? Ear canal ablation ?

How is he within himself atm ?

Only you and a Vet you trust can make the decision as to whether to proceed with surgery or not. But from the details you have given about his other significant health problems I am not sure I would opt for major ear surgery. If he is coping within himself at the moment then PTS is not necessarily needed tomorrow, but a palliative care approach including good pain relief and antibiotics to control infection.

I am a great believer in quality of life over quantity and just because aggressive surgery is technically possible it is not always the kindest option to do it. But as I said, no-one but you and a trusted Vet can make that call.

I am sorry that you are struggling with your MH, I know how hard it is to trust one’s own judgement when we are feeling extremely mentally vulnerable.

Very best wishes for whatever you decide to do x

Oh, what a difficult decision, and I know it's hard making any kind of decision when your mental health is already bad. I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. I have no advice, but wanted to wish you the best, and send a lot of vibes for Obi.

Thank you both.

I think she said a lateral ear canal something. Maybe ablation.

He seems 100% besides the frequent sneezing since we took him off the antibiotics for swabbing. The arthritis showed up on his scan but you'd never guess.

I’m so sorry everything is so hard. There is no right or wrong answer and whatever you decide I’m sure it will be the best thing to do. Sending lots of vibes and hugs xx