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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Papilloma on ears

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    • Karla
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        I noticed 2 weeks ago that Karl suddenly had a big wart-like thing on his ears…and two strange ones have appeared as well now. I had it checked by a vet this Monday, and he said it was papilloma.

        I am not sure how rabbit-savvy this vet is, since this was my first visit. He said that Papilloma are either completely harmless and will fall off or they will turn into cancer. Of course, I wanted them removed, but he said that he would have to take off so much of the ear that we should wait and see how it developed. Not sure I want to wait and see what happens in case it is cancer though…if they turn into cancer, he said there was nothing to do.

        I have looked it up on the internet, and I can’t figure out if I should do something or not…does anybody here know anything about this? 


      • lindsay715
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          I have read that with the Shope papilloma virus the nodules have about a 25% chance of becoming malignant. I would take Karl to another vet (one who specializes in rabbits/exotics) for a second opinion. However what your vet said is understandable – they do sometimes fall off on their own, and if you have the growths removed, there is no guarantee that more will not appear. However, it might be worth having them removed so a biopsy can be performed.

          If you have other rabbits, make sure that their habitat is kept isolated from insects. The virus is transmitted through bites from bugs that carry the disease.


        • LittlePuffyTail
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            Sorry to hear that, Karla. I agree with you, I would want to take it off too, instead of waiting and worrying. Is there any other vet who can give you a second opinion?

            I don`t know anything about papilloma`s on bunnies but I know they are quite common in horses. Most people have them removed once they get to a certain size.


          • LBJ10
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              Unfortunately having them removed doesn’t mean that more won’t grow back. It is caused by as virus. You should probably take him to another vet so you can get a second opinion.


            • peppypoo
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                LBJ is correct – removing the wart doesn’t address the underlying cause although it does prevent that one wart from becoming malignant. Second opinion can’t hurt!


              • jerseygirl
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                  Posted By lindsay715 on 12/06/2012 09:17 AM
                  I have read that with the Shope papilloma virus the nodules have about a 25% chance of becoming malignant.

                  That is true of cottontail rabbits but its much higher in domestics. 75%

                  I’d be pushing to get them removed too.


                • Malp_15
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                    I’ve only seen this in dogs, but I know one Bassett Hound that had them. After a few times of having the nodules removed and them coming back within 6 months. They ended up removing 3/4 of the ear, in the hope that the margins were big enough and it wouldn’t return. So far so good, but still not a guarantee.

                    I would get a second opinion, if only for your own peace of mind.


                  • Karla
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                      Thanks for your input, guys! It is highly appreciated.

                      As suggested, I looked for a second opinion and emailed a vet specialised in rabbits today and she replied that they should fall off within a month. If not, then we need to do a biopsi. So, I will wait and see what happens this month, and if they are still here by the end of the month, I will take him to this vet.

                      …only thing is that although she is one of the 3 vets specialised in rabbits in my country, I know that she doesn’t do the anesthesia correctly.


                    • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                        Mikey has one on his lip. My vet spend an hour with me showing me pictures and articles (she loves to chat) -she’s completely unconcerned with it. It’s extremely unlikely they will turn into cancer. Some animals are afflicted with a lot of them-they usually pop up quickly. The only reason she would remove one is if it’s in the way (back of throat) or if they were going under for another surgery and I wanted it removed for aesthetics. Mikey’s turned up in the summer. It looks like it’s about to fall off.
                        I really wouldn’t worry at all Just keep an eye. Think of it like a freckle on us-sure if it’s ugly or bothering you you remove it, and you keep an eye on it. But it’s nothing to rush in and have removed


                      • BinkyBunny
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                          Karla — is it possible for you to get clear photos of the bumps on his ears? And KK — same request for the bump on Mikey’s lip. I think it would be educational for us to see it as the photos on google show some extreme cases. 


                        • Karla
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                          • LittlePuffyTail
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                              Thanks for posting, Karla. I’ve never seen one on a rabbit before. Hope it falls off soon (and doesn’t come back!)


                            • Tracey
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                                Hey, Karla,
                                My bun has a similar growth on his ear as in you pic #3. It is white, crusty and horned-looking. From what I’ve researched, it most closely resembles Shope’s papilloma. Initially, I thought it was just a scab, I removed it (he didn’t seem to mind much) but it has come back and is growing, it seems. I will be taking him to the vet this weekend. I’ll let you know the diagnosis I get.


                              • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                                  Here is Mikey’s wart! He wasn’t too cooperative, he doesn’t like close ups! lol To clarify-this was diagnosed as a papilloma by the vet

                                   

                                  https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/?ui=2&ik=59b025e592&view=att&th=13bb64cb57448e69&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P8LvZjSe0_otU_Qsxu3s1x2&sadet=1355973320689&sads=zrkzHawheIVVkoqXwia4h9lfP_A

                                   

                                  https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/?ui=2&ik=59b025e592&view=att&th=13bb64d004176a8a&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P8LvZjSe0_otU_Qsxu3s1x2&sadet=1355973337776&sads=rxkgbz0cVWoXytDYVQGTFe4bL4s 

                                   

                                   


                                • BinkyBunny
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                                    KK- – for some reason the photos aren’t showing up. Is it just me?

                                    Karla, Vivian has a similar wart (as the smaller one#3) on her ear. She just had a check-up the other day and I pointed out the growth to my rabbit-savvy vet. She confirmed it was just a wart — harmless wart. She said it is common for rabbits to get these on their ears.


                                  • LittlePuffyTail
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                                      Bindi has a wart in his ear too. It’s in that little pocket inside the ear.

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                                  Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Papilloma on ears