Hi all. I am looking for some advice for my Bunny's situation.
Name: Bunny
Age: 5.5 years
Gender: Male (Intact)
Species: White American Rabbit
Weight: 2.05 kg
Medical History:
Molar extraction (last year): Bunny had a molar extracted due to overgrowth. He has had ongoing issues eating long strands of hay since then, but was otherwise stable until recently.
Abscess under the chin (September 2024): Bunny developed an abscess under his chin, which required surgery in Bombay. The surgery involved the removal of his front lower teeth (which were rotten), and a passage was created to allow pus drainage from the front teeth to a slit in the jaw/skin.
Post-surgery complications: Shortly after the surgery, Bunny began oozing pus from the gap where his front teeth were removed.
Medication & treatments:
Meropenem (subcutaneous, 7 days): Administered but only led to gastrointestinal issues and did not reduce the pus.
Culture results: Showed Gram-positive cocci (Staphylococcus aureus) and Coccidia oocysts, along with Cyniclomyces guttulatus yeast cells in his stool.
Procaine penicillin (subcutaneous, 20 days): There was some reduction in pus, but a new ball-like mass formed in the chin area.
Current status:
New culture results: Now shows Gram-negative bacilli (Pseudomonas species).
X-ray findings: The pus has eroded the bone in the affected area.
Current Treatment Plan:
The vet who performed the surgery recommends oral Ciprofloxacin and Bactrim, along with continued pain management.
He believes surgery is not immediately necessary, but could be an option later if the infection doesn't resolve with oral antibiotics.
Concerns & Questions:
Abscess recurrence: The abscess has been persistent and chronic despite multiple treatments and surgeries. Given Bunny’s current condition (muscle loss, pain, scratching his ear, staying in a corner), I am extremely concerned about the quality of his life.
Surgery risks: Another surgery would involve both sides of the jaw being wounded, which would make eating difficult and could lead to further suffering. Given his history of unsuccessful surgeries and the severity of the infection, I am hesitant to pursue surgery again.
Antibiotics vs. surgery: I’m uncertain whether the oral antibiotics will be effective on their own or if surgery is inevitable. The ongoing issues are causing Bunny considerable discomfort, and I want to ensure he has a good quality of life moving forward.
Additional Information:
The local vets in my area are not experienced with rabbits, so I am hesitant to trust their recommendations. Most have suggested surgery, but I am concerned about the impact on Bunny’s well-being and would appreciate expert guidance on the best course of action.
Request:
I would appreciate your opinion on the following:
Do you think oral antibiotics alone (Ciprofloxacin and Bactrim) will be sufficient to manage the infection, or is surgery still the best option?
Given the bone erosion and chronic abscess, what are the potential long-term consequences if we avoid further surgery?
Are there any other treatment options (medications, alternative therapies) that could help manage Bunny’s condition and improve his quality of life without resorting to more invasive surgeries?
Any suggestions for improving his comfort and preventing further muscle loss and pain as we move forward?
Name: Bunny
Age: 5.5 years
Gender: Male (Intact)
Species: White American Rabbit
Weight: 2.05 kg
Medical History:
Molar extraction (last year): Bunny had a molar extracted due to overgrowth. He has had ongoing issues eating long strands of hay since then, but was otherwise stable until recently.
Abscess under the chin (September 2024): Bunny developed an abscess under his chin, which required surgery in Bombay. The surgery involved the removal of his front lower teeth (which were rotten), and a passage was created to allow pus drainage from the front teeth to a slit in the jaw/skin.
Post-surgery complications: Shortly after the surgery, Bunny began oozing pus from the gap where his front teeth were removed.
Medication & treatments:
Meropenem (subcutaneous, 7 days): Administered but only led to gastrointestinal issues and did not reduce the pus.
Culture results: Showed Gram-positive cocci (Staphylococcus aureus) and Coccidia oocysts, along with Cyniclomyces guttulatus yeast cells in his stool.
Procaine penicillin (subcutaneous, 20 days): There was some reduction in pus, but a new ball-like mass formed in the chin area.
Current status:
New culture results: Now shows Gram-negative bacilli (Pseudomonas species).
X-ray findings: The pus has eroded the bone in the affected area.
Current Treatment Plan:
The vet who performed the surgery recommends oral Ciprofloxacin and Bactrim, along with continued pain management.
He believes surgery is not immediately necessary, but could be an option later if the infection doesn't resolve with oral antibiotics.
Concerns & Questions:
Abscess recurrence: The abscess has been persistent and chronic despite multiple treatments and surgeries. Given Bunny’s current condition (muscle loss, pain, scratching his ear, staying in a corner), I am extremely concerned about the quality of his life.
Surgery risks: Another surgery would involve both sides of the jaw being wounded, which would make eating difficult and could lead to further suffering. Given his history of unsuccessful surgeries and the severity of the infection, I am hesitant to pursue surgery again.
Antibiotics vs. surgery: I’m uncertain whether the oral antibiotics will be effective on their own or if surgery is inevitable. The ongoing issues are causing Bunny considerable discomfort, and I want to ensure he has a good quality of life moving forward.
Additional Information:
The local vets in my area are not experienced with rabbits, so I am hesitant to trust their recommendations. Most have suggested surgery, but I am concerned about the impact on Bunny’s well-being and would appreciate expert guidance on the best course of action.
Request:
I would appreciate your opinion on the following:
Do you think oral antibiotics alone (Ciprofloxacin and Bactrim) will be sufficient to manage the infection, or is surgery still the best option?
Given the bone erosion and chronic abscess, what are the potential long-term consequences if we avoid further surgery?
Are there any other treatment options (medications, alternative therapies) that could help manage Bunny’s condition and improve his quality of life without resorting to more invasive surgeries?
Any suggestions for improving his comfort and preventing further muscle loss and pain as we move forward?
