Rex bunny concerns - please help!

[WelshGirl]

My little rescue Rex has had health problems since we got him - almost died from severe respiratory infection and he gets these often. He's currently on another round of antibiotics, bless him, but we have been to the vet twice in a week because I noticed his ear was down and he was shaking his head.

Vet confirmed he has an ear and eye infection and ear mites Gave him drops for both for one week but his ear was still down, so I took him back as his nose had also gotten snotty by this time! Vet flushed his ear out with saline water, gave more drops to carry on with, oral antibiotics and oral anti-inflammatories. He seems bright enough in himself but his ear only comes part way up and mostly he keeps it down.

I'm also concerned as he has developed a huge double chin that seems to be wonky! It looks like a growth on one side as its like a lop-sided dewlap but my husband and I have felt it and it's all skin and fur. I asked both vets and neither of them seemed concerned or even really addressed it and poor Merlin has had a good "going over" for these infections

He looks like the elephant bunny!! Does anyone else have a Rex that has this? Vet said he's a tiny bit overweight but not much - as we've had such awful weather they haven't been able to go in the garden so only have their shed to exercise so I can see how he's got a bit porkier.

Very worried about him so would appreciate any advice! Thanks so much xx

 

[Jack's-Jane]

My little rescue Rex has had health problems since we got him - almost died from severe respiratory infection and he gets these often. He's currently on another round of antibiotics, bless him, but we have been to the vet twice in a week because I noticed his ear was down and he was shaking his head.

Vet confirmed he has an ear and eye infection and ear mites Gave him drops for both for one week but his ear was still down, so I took him back as his nose had also gotten snotty by this time! Vet flushed his ear out with saline water, gave more drops to carry on with, oral antibiotics and oral anti-inflammatories. He seems bright enough in himself but his ear only comes part way up and mostly he keeps it down.

I'm also concerned as he has developed a huge double chin that seems to be wonky! It looks like a growth on one side as its like a lop-sided dewlap but my husband and I have felt it and it's all skin and fur. I asked both vets and neither of them seemed concerned or even really addressed it and poor Merlin has had a good "going over" for these infections

He looks like the elephant bunny!! Does anyone else have a Rex that has this? Vet said he's a tiny bit overweight but not much - as we've had such awful weather they haven't been able to go in the garden so only have their shed to exercise so I can see how he's got a bit porkier.

Very worried about him so would appreciate any advice! Thanks so much xx

I am sorry that Merlin is not well. Is the 'lump' under his chin on the same side as the droopy ear ?

What antibiotic has your Vet prescribed ?

Can you post a head on photo of Merlin, or one from an angle that would clearly show the 'double chin/wonky face'. A wonky face can be associated with an ear infection that has damaged the facial nerves. Her is an example of what I mean

 

[Angie B]

Oh poor bunny! Has your vet done a dental examination as it could be his teeth?

 

[MightyMax]

My little rescue Rex has had health problems since we got him - almost died from severe respiratory infection and he gets these often. He's currently on another round of antibiotics, bless him, but we have been to the vet twice in a week because I noticed his ear was down and he was shaking his head.

Vet confirmed he has an ear and eye infection and ear mites Gave him drops for both for one week but his ear was still down, so I took him back as his nose had also gotten snotty by this time! Vet flushed his ear out with saline water, gave more drops to carry on with, oral antibiotics and oral anti-inflammatories. He seems bright enough in himself but his ear only comes part way up and mostly he keeps it down.

I'm also concerned as he has developed a huge double chin that seems to be wonky! It looks like a growth on one side as its like a lop-sided dewlap but my husband and I have felt it and it's all skin and fur. I asked both vets and neither of them seemed concerned or even really addressed it and poor Merlin has had a good "going over" for these infections

He looks like the elephant bunny!! Does anyone else have a Rex that has this? Vet said he's a tiny bit overweight but not much - as we've had such awful weather they haven't been able to go in the garden so only have their shed to exercise so I can see how he's got a bit porkier.

Very worried about him so would appreciate any advice! Thanks so much xx

I'm so sorry to hear about Merlin. It sounds like he's got very 'run down' and getting all sorts of infections/mites/problems etc.

Is your vet a rabbit specialist? Or someone you have previously had a lot of confidence in? The lump in the dewlap could be an abscess and it seems like your vet hasn't excluded that or come to a diagnosis with it?

With everything that's going on for Merlin, I would want a good overview of his treatment by a good vet at the very least. On here we can't really advise bits and bobs without seeing Merlin - he sounds gorgeous by the way and he doesn't deserve any of this!

 

[WelshGirl]

I am sorry that Merlin is not well. Is the 'lump' under his chin on the same side as the droopy ear ?

What antibiotic has your Vet prescribed ?

Can you post a head on photo of Merlin, or one from an angle that would clearly show the 'double chin/wonky face'. A wonky face can be associated with an ear infection that has damaged the facial nerves. Her is an example of what I mean

It seems more like hanging skin that sometimes looks like a lump I'll try and get a photo of it now...

The vet has given us Baytril for now, but he has needed Septrin in addition to this in the past...

 

[WelshGirl]

Hi,

Yes the first vet checked him teeth - and quite extensively - his whole face was pulled back bless him!

She said his teeth look really good (all my buns eat a lot of hay luckily)

 

[WelshGirl]

Thank you - he is gorgeous bless him and so sweet, he really doesn't deserve to be so unwell!!!

I don't think the vet is a rabbit specialist but she has been excellent with all four of them in the past. She seems very knowledgable and is confident with them. I wouldn't know where to find a rabbit specialist vet?

I'll see if I can get a photo of him that shows him - please excuse his snotty wet nose, we are trying to get him better

 

[MightyMax]

Thank you - he is gorgeous bless him and so sweet, he really doesn't deserve to be so unwell!!!

I don't think the vet is a rabbit specialist but she has been excellent with all four of them in the past. She seems very knowledgable and is confident with them. I wouldn't know where to find a rabbit specialist vet?

I'll see if I can get a photo of him that shows him - please excuse his snotty wet nose, we are trying to get him better

Whereabouts are you?

If you post another thread with the title:

Need specialist rabbit vet in ..... (area) someone will pick it up and be able to help you

 

[WelshGirl]

Whereabouts are you?

If you post another thread with the title:

Need specialist rabbit vet in ..... (area) someone will pick it up and be able to help you

Thank you

I'm in Bridgend, South Wales...

 

[WelshGirl]

Photos

 

[WelshGirl]

 

[WelshGirl]

 

[Jack's-Jane]

Obviously I cant say for certain just from looking at photos, but I would be highly suspicious of an abscess somewhere within the skull. It is certainly something I'd want to flag up with the Vet and I'd also want to discuss the option of changing to a more 'heavy duty' antibiotic such as Depocillin (given by injection only)
The Depocillin could also be given alongside the Baytril or maybe in combination with another antibiotic called Metronidazole.

Ideally skull radiographs/ a CT scan would be very helpful with making a definitive diagnosis. But both procedures would require a GA which would carry an increased risk for any Rabbit with Respiratory Tract problems.

I would certainly want to make contact with the Vet again very soon to discuss things further.

Merlin's a lovely Chinchilla Rex by the way

 

[MightyMax]

Aren't they lovely photos! What a beautiful rabbit Merlin is

From the photos, it's hard to determine whether there's more than 'dewlap' there. Some photos suggest there may be more of a lump and others not. He's a male, and if he's been neutered then I wouldn't expect much of a dewlap unless he were *very* overweight.

As for the head/ears .. Again, in some photos it would appear that the left side of his face (with the droopy ear) is slightly more puffy than the other side.

As I said in a previous post, I know you're just getting suggestions together, but please don't rely on anything we say, as Merlin's case is complicated - not just a straightforward case of 'oh that's mites!' or whatever!

I would still want to consult a specialist - no disrespect to your vet, but I have done this when the vet drew a blank and couldn't really help.

 

[WelshGirl]

Thanks for your replies x I will be taking him back again as I am not happy with the whole "dewlap" thing...

And thank you he is a beautiful little Rexy boy, even with his poorly face

 

[WelshGirl]

Thank you he is one of my four gorgeous little babies

I will post on here and ask if anyone knows of a specialist - thanks very much for all your help. He hasn't been neutered (the other three have) as he's always been so poorly with his respiratory problems. The vet did say he could go on a pre-neuter course of antibiotics and we can get him neutered when he's all better x

 

[MightyMax]

Thank you he is one of my four gorgeous little babies

I will post on here and ask if anyone knows of a specialist - thanks very much for all your help. He hasn't been neutered (the other three have) as he's always been so poorly with his respiratory problems. The vet did say he could go on a pre-neuter course of antibiotics and we can get him neutered when he's all better x

It sounds like you love him to bits!

I've seen your other thread, so make sure you get an answer by bumping it up if necessary.

 

[Omi]

What a gorgeous Rex rabbit Sending get-well-soon vibes for him.

 

[WelshGirl]

Thank you I hope he feels better soon too! x

He is a beautiful little boy - but then all four of my buns are super handsome