Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Mouth sores with scabs?

Viewing 22 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • WhiskerB
      Participant
      13 posts Send Private Message

        I took my rabbit to the vet about a week ago after I noticed he had a thick layer of crusty scabs around his lips that pretty much appeared overnight. The vet didn’t know what it was or the cause – she advised me to change his litter and clean his food dish and water bottle. She also gave me a cream and drying flush to use, neither of which are working. I can barely use the flush because he thrashes horribly when I even try to dab it on with a Q-tip. He doesn’t seem to be in pain or contagious (my other rabbit is fine) and it’s not spreading – it just won’t heal.

         

        I’m taking him in tomorrow for a follow-up visit, but I was wondering if anyone has had this happen before that knew what this was or the cause and if there was anything I could do to make him better again ?

         

        I feel like a horrible bun mom.


      • jerseygirl
        Moderator
        22338 posts Send Private Message

          Oh gosh, it’s nothing you’ve done and you took Whiskers to the vet asap. Don’t feel badly about your care for him! Is your vet very experienced with rabbits? It may be something like mange mites, or some sort of fungal or bacterial infection. These things can be treated pretty easily. Of course your vet is the best person to discern exactly what is the cause. What is the cream you’re using?  If Whiskers is continuing to eat, I think thingswill be ok until you can have him seen again.  Hope you get some answers at the follow up. Keep us posted.

          Edit to add:  While it is more likey to be something like mange mites, rabbits can get syphillis and this is treatable by injection of penicillin. NOT oral penicillin as that’s deadly to rabbits!  It’s also know as Vent disease or Hutch burn and usually effects the genitals, though it can cause scabs on the face.


        • Sarita
          Participant
          18851 posts Send Private Message

            You know this sounds alot like another member Bunnytowne’s rabbit. Cotton has been having some problems with scabs around his mouth too.

            Has your vet considered it could be rabbit syphillis?


          • WhiskerB
            Participant
            13 posts Send Private Message

              My vet is supposedly one of the best in the area and she has a great reputation, but I didn’t think she took it very seriously, which was frustrating. She gave me Thermazene cream and Chlorhexidine flush.

              I definitely had not considered syphilis. At least now I have a few things I can throw out there to maybe get her thinking and this time I’ll request she actually test him instead of peering at him for a minute and calling it a day.

              Thanks for the suggestions!


            • katie, max & penny
              Participant
              956 posts Send Private Message

                oh how frustrating!! i’m sorry your vet didnt take it seriously.
                i hope the meds work!!


              • WhiskerB
                Participant
                13 posts Send Private Message

                  The follow-up went well. Now we’re trying children’s Benadryl (bubble gum flavor), which if you’re wondering, is apparently the rabbit equivalent of crack. He got one drop and then tried to chew and suck the rest of it out of the syringe.

                  If this works, I’ll be shocked.


                • jerseygirl
                  Moderator
                  22338 posts Send Private Message

                    What’s your vets reasoning here?  Benadryl can be given – I’ve heard of it used for things like ‘allergy’ type symptoms in rabbits.  It’s just scabs sound like they need something more than this – given the onset.  Is she thinking perhaps the bunny had a reaction to something it ate?


                  • Kokaneeandkahlua
                    Participant
                    12067 posts Send Private Message

                      Huh your vet must think it’s allergies?

                      I agree -both Sarita and Jers had great suggestions. Sarita mentioned another bunny who has a mouth sore (Bunnytowne-there are several threads on this) and Jersey mentioned syphallis-that could certainly be the case (though I belive that’s highly contagious…But i can’t remember).

                      When will you be doing follow up-like how long did your vet want you to try the benedryl for?

                      {{Many Vibes}}


                    • WhiskerB
                      Participant
                      13 posts Send Private Message

                        She is thinking allergies since he seems to get a little better and then worse. His eyes are also a little red. We’re trying it over the weekend and getting back in touch Monday.

                        She wasn’t putting much stock in it being syphilis or mange. I did look up both before I took him in but I agree with her that neither one seems quite right. She really thought it was something different, especially because it’s SO localized.

                        If he is allergic to something, I just wonder if it’ll keep coming back unless we can figure out what he’s actually allergic to. And I did consider a food allergy but he hasn’t had any new veggies or treats so I’m royally confused.

                        I’ll try anything, at this point. I’d do anything for that little face.


                      • BinkyBunny
                        Moderator
                        8776 posts Send Private Message

                          wow – what a beautiful bunny!! My very first rabbit had vent disease, and though he did have it on his lips, he also had it on his genitals. My understanding is it starts at the genitals and via cleaning it can spread to the lips and even eyes. So do you see any sores on the genitals?

                          Hopefully, whatever it is, you will find the solution soon – hopefully over the weekend he will get better. Keep us updated with this little mystery.


                        • jerseygirl
                          Moderator
                          22338 posts Send Private Message

                            I’d do anything for that little face.

                            No wonder! Cute!

                            Have you new batch of hay or pellet? New litter? What type litter do you use? I have heard of rabbits been sensitive to wood litter before but I would have thought they’d be other areas effected too – not just the lips. What about others in your household – could anyone else have snuck him some treats? Blueberries?……
                            Is he housed with your other rabbit? Maybe somebun bit somebunny else?
                            Sorry for all the questions – I’m trying to brainstorm…


                          • Beka27
                            Participant
                            16016 posts Send Private Message

                              I hope you can figure out what is going on! I’m not sure what it could be…

                              He is a beautiful bunny!


                            • RabbitPam
                              Moderator
                              11002 posts Send Private Message

                                He is so adorable!
                                I’m also thinking along the lines with Jersey. Even a small change to his environment can bring on an allergy. (and yes, it reminded me of BT’s Cotton, but let’s hope it’s not as mysterious.)

                                Think about whether you bought any new products that go near him. In addition to new things like litter, think about cleansers, or when he goes out to play, does he chew on anything in the home, like a carpet that was cleaned differently, or rags, or mittens? Since the seasons have changed, sometimes you don’t realize you are wearing sweaters (wool?) when you hold him, or a new hand cream to keep yourself from chapping. Topical things, or something he might bite and go back to. Any holiday decorations go up yet that he gets into? That kind of thing.


                              • MooBunnay
                                Participant
                                3087 posts Send Private Message

                                  I agree that I would do anything for that cute little face too! I don’t have much else to add, I am glad you are seeing a good rabbit vet though, sometimes the ones that are good with cats and dogs don’t know anything about treating bunnies.


                                • WhiskerB
                                  Participant
                                  13 posts Send Private Message

                                    He hasn’t had anything new introduced at all – not even a veggie. As for someone else sneaking him food, I doubt it. The only other thing I can think of that might not have been considered is if he got into something my cat contaminated somehow. I’m probably just going to print out this whole discussion and see what she says.

                                     

                                    The Benadryl isn’t helping. I just have a lethargic bun with sores, now. Back we go on Monday…

                                     

                                    And thanks for all the ideas. You’ve all been a great help!


                                  • jerseygirl
                                    Moderator
                                    22338 posts Send Private Message

                                      Was it this Mon you went to vet? Anything to report? I’m a bit worried about the lethargy you mentioned….could this have been from the benadryl perhaps?


                                    • bunnytowne
                                      Participant
                                      7537 posts Send Private Message

                                        Wow  another bunny with the same problem?   cotton had had this for 9 months now .  nothing works.

                                        He is going for his 2nd biopsy dec 3.  This one is going to a specialist.  I asked my vets several times if this was syphillis.   They said no they didn’t see it under the microscope and he doesn’t have the the symptoms. 

                                        This stuff will absolutely not go away.  I have taken him off blueberries newspaper phone book changed food and litter and hay.    Still there.  

                                        We tried oral baytril  injectible baytril    prednisone and a cream   and I washed his lip with Chlorhexderm too.  Cotton s lip had gotten all swollen the washing with chlorhexderm took care of that his lip is normal size now except for this scab growing on his lip. 

                                        If you vet fiinds out what it is please please tell me.  My vet has treated him for eosinophillis ulcers (rodent ulcers) has nothing to do with rodents and cats get this they never seen it on a rabbit b4.

                                        Once Cotton is diagnosed the world will know about it.  If it is rabbit syphillis I will be PO’D big time.  The penicillin shots are inexpensive.  We haven’t tried that yet tho.  If his biopsy comes back no diagnosis then I will try the penicillin shots as a last resort.

                                        This stuff doesnt’ spread either it has stayed on his bottom lip near his hair line.

                                        OH it isnt’ a fungus either for the Chlorhexderm kills fungus’s.    Also it is only on Cottons lip his anal area and eyes are fine.

                                        How about your bun?  If this is what Cotton has too be prepared for a long ordeal with this. 

                                        Someone sent me an  email about rabbit syphillis.  Being at the library I am a bit scared to read it all and scrolled to the pics which by the way look nothing like what Cotton has.   Tehee. 

                                        I can see it now someone sees the email and goes oh gosh this gal has you knwo what lol. 

                                        I wish you the best  in finding  a diagnosis and treatment that actually works for more than a week. 

                                        Can you get pics to compare our buns scabs?  Sounds gross I know


                                      • bunnytowne
                                        Participant
                                        7537 posts Send Private Message

                                          By the way the wash your vet gave you it is practically the same as the surgical scrub I used on Cotton.  It would take care of microbes fungus and such. 

                                          The only thing that changed his condition was the prednisone it worked great the first week after that no good.   And bun must have a pre med to coat his stomache 15 minutes b4 taking the prednisone cuz it can cause stomache upset.  Cotton got upset at the 3rd week and we stopped it. 

                                          I hope to be back next week to check the computer.  I am highly interested in this case.  Oh your bunny is beautiful a golden chestnut lionhead wow.  Knock me down with her beauty .


                                        • WhiskerB
                                          Participant
                                          13 posts Send Private Message

                                            My vet felt very confident that it was nothing fungal related so she suggested we do something she doesn’t ever usually recommend which was a steroid cream. I used it since Monday (twice a day) and by Tuesday it was practically gone. His hair has grown back already and the scabs and sores are totally gone.

                                            The cream is Vetropolycin HC (bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin with hydrocortisone acetate 1%). I was really hesitant to try it but he’s SO much better I can’t believe it.

                                            I don’t know if you’ve tried anything like that for Cotton, but it might be worth it.

                                            My happy bun is back.


                                          • Sarita
                                            Participant
                                            18851 posts Send Private Message

                                              So glad he’s better :~)


                                            • bunnytowne
                                              Participant
                                              7537 posts Send Private Message

                                                wow cool.      The vet did give a cream for Cotton it worked the first week along with the oral steroids.   After that forget it.

                                                I wrote the name of the cream you have down and will compare to what cotton had when I get home. 


                                              • swedishbun
                                                Participant
                                                29 posts Send Private Message

                                                  I’m bumping this thread because my bunny has had similar scabs reported by WhiskerB.

                                                  My bunny did not test positive for syphilis (he took the shots AND got a test done to check), no fungal (took the creams, shots, and was tested), and was tested for other fungi. Nothing was positive.

                                                  He’s had it for almost two years. Total mystery.

                                                  We use Healx. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

                                                  We are about to start him on Zyrtec but who knows. I’m wondering if anyone else has tried Vetropolycin HC as the OP got it too.

                                                  All suggestions welcome!


                                                • Sarita
                                                  Participant
                                                  18851 posts Send Private Message

                                                    HI SwedishBun – please start a new thread with your concerns and questions – this post is from 2009 and we ask that members DO NOT respond to old posts – I am going to lock this post.

                                                Viewing 22 reply threads
                                                • The topic ‘Mouth sores with scabs?’ is closed to new replies.

                                                Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Mouth sores with scabs?