Rabbit having operation/mentioned cancer/nasal cavity

[Bunnylove]

Hi,
Just looking for some good vibes and support please.
My rabbit (giant 9 month old – my world!!) has had a leaky eye since I got her. Tried several antibiotics none worked. Culture and sensitivity test results say she’s got pseudomonius and staphylococcus (not sure of spelling) both very difficult to treat.

The pus coming from her eye is now coming out of her nose. one vet (since changed vets) said he thought it went into her lung however second opinion vet said lungs were clear.

Pus was coming thick and fast yesterday and I felt a large lump very hard on the front of her fact near her nose. I’m positive I felt this a few week ago and mentioned it to first vets who said her face was symmetrical. Not sure if it went down then reappeared. Anyways I drove to a rabbit specialist yesterday 3 hour drive and they kept her in overnight to do X-rays today. Vet specialist yesterday said she thought it was a tumour!!! Mentioned chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Obviously I was heart broken. Just had a phone call there from the vet doing the X-rays and he has said he thinks it’s a sack of pus in her nasal cavity. Which I’m guessing is a lot better than it being cancer. He’s going to remove as much as he can and send it away to see best antibiotics to treat it with. Also sending her bloods away for testing. I can’t function properly I’m so worried but also looking on the positive side as surely if the pus (which I’m assuming is abscess?) had spread to other parts of her he would have mentioned that on the phone when he asked for my consent to operate.

Does anyone have any experience treating nasal cavity pus? I’ll do anything for her, I can’t lose her

[Bunnylove]

Also forgot to mention the vet I took her to yesterday morning (my usual vet) said he thought that she had an abscess which had deformed her bone and admitted it was out of his skill set to treat. That’s when he mentioned the specialist vet but told me there’d be a waiting list! Rang that day and got an appointment! Just goes to show sometimes us owners have to take control! Bit confused why she has also been seen for months and only been given an X-ray now

[Q8bunny]

I don’t have any experience or personal insight to offer, since it sounds like even the vets themselves can’t agree on what’s really causing your bun’s ailment. But I do know we had one member with a similar situation (FLs, can you recall which bun??). And I do send all the good vibes I can muster (((((((((get well, bunbun)))))))))

[Q8bunny]

Jersey? When you were trying to help Goosey, did you happen to come accross the thread I’m talking about?

[Odette]

I don’t have experience with this, but I send lots of positive thoughts for your girl.

[jerseygirl]

Q8 yes! I had similar situation with Goosey.

Bunnylove, sending out some {{{vibes}}} to your bunny! I hope they are able to clear out most of the pus.

I will set reminder to come back to this thread tomorrow when hopefully my brain is functioning better. (It’s 3:40am here..) In short though, my rabbit developed a facial abscess that affected part of his ear bone and jaw. Pus can be quite destructive. Initially the vet thought it was tumour after taking xrays. I never had a CT done so tumour was never fully ruled out, but it was obvious an abscess was present regardless once he opened the lump. Months on, it hasn’t recurred (touch wood) and he is doing pretty good.
I’ll link the thread about it here once I find it.

[jerseygirl]

Here it is: https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/144140/afpg/2/Default.aspx
Sorry its such a long read! I don’t know if it will help or create more concerns for you. His abscess is a different location from your bunny though. The vet now thinks (as do I) that is was chronic infection that worked it way up in the sinus and ear cavity. My rabbit is currently back on penicillin injections and metacam as his sneezing was recurring and I don’t want infection taking hold and going into deeper areas.

[Q8bunny]

I knew sweet Goosey had dealt with this too, but I recall a thread with Xray pics of a bun with a similarly located lump as the OP. That’s the one I can’t find

[Bunnylove]

Thank you so much !!
Threads been a great help.
She’s had a leaky eye ever since I got her and never gotten better. The vet managed to get a lot of the pus but there was some left in so he’s left her wound open. Her face is all shaved and looks really sore he says I have to go back in 5 days as he’s stitched what looks like a gauge in her wound to keep it open. Then he will teach me how to flush it – anyone have any experience doing this? Would I be using an antibiotic to flush it?
Also I have to give her an injection every day (very scared to do this) x2 different pain killers twice a day and also use a nebuliser for 25 minutes twice a day. Sounds like a lot but I’m hoping it’s aggressive enough to get rid of all of the pus… do you think it’s possible to have pus in the bone and penicillin be able to remove it all?
The vet also has sent away her bloods and a biopsy to make sure we are giving her the right injections (the ones we have to start tonight is penicillin and he says it is the best chance in his opinion of getting rid of it without knowing what it is first – basically if he was a guessing man I think he’s saying that it will be penicillin which gets rid of it). I’m so tired I slept on the floor with her last night she was chattering her teeth. She’s only 9 month old. I had to drive for 2.5 hours to get to the specialist and it cost me nearly £1000 as she’s not insured I will do anything for her though I really will. I’m taking pride knowing that I have provided her with the best chance possible xx

[Q8bunny]

Darling girl… (((((((((speedy and complete healing)))))))))

[jerseygirl]

Once infection gets into bone, it can be really hard to get rid of. There is a technique where they implant antibiotic beads that slow release the med straight to the site.
I’ll be honest with you, often these abscesses are recurring. Its a matter of trying to keep ahead.

Her face is all shaved and looks really sore he says I have to go back in 5 days as he’s stitched what looks like a gauge in her wound to keep it open. Then he will teach me how to flush it – anyone have any experience doing this? Would I be using an antibiotic to flush it?

Yes Ive had to do this. For Gooseman but also for Jelly who is now passed away. He had a jaw abscess Those can be very problematic.
I used saline from a hydration bag. A big needle and syringe to extract it, then took of the needle and put nozzle in the hole and squirt it all in. Then repeat!
It’s a messy process.
Some people use disinfectants like hibiscrub (chlorhexadine). You may even be able to use a dilution of the F10 irrigating the wound. Its good they’ll show you at the vet how to do it, especially if near her nasal cavity.
Depending on where the abscess is, it can also be packed after irrigation to keep it open as long as possible. My vet used gel sponges initially that eventually dissolve but they just didn’t last. So I used medihoney and gauze last time. It kept the wound really clean.
If you can get hold of manuka honey with a high UMF number, that can be used in the wound.

[jerseygirl]

Posted By Q8bunny on 10/05/2016 7:59 AM

Jersey? When you were trying to help Goosey, did you happen to come accross the thread I’m talking about?

Sorry Q8. I can’t recall.

[Bunnylove]

Is it possible to get rid of if if it’s in the one if you get the right antibiotics for it? The vets sending away her sample of pus and blood away to see what will get rid of it. Yeah he did say he was going to keep the wound open for a long time and I will probably get a fright when I see the hole I would post a picture to show you all her wound but don’t know if it’s allowed as it’s quite graphic. I did ask about makuna honey as I read about that on the internet but he said no we would use a antibiotics kind of disinfectant (just spoke to him on the phone)
I’ve read good things about makuna honey so not sure why he’s not using it. Could I get her some to eat in conjunction with the flushing solution he’s giving me or would it do nothing if it’s just Injested? Love your bunnies names they’re so unique

[Vienna Blue in France]

BL – you can make available photos through a link in your post, rather than a gory photo for all to see (and swoon with shock in front of their computer).

Poor bun as a 9month giant is just gorgeous and omg, poor you and your bank balance – I know we do everything for our furrybabies, but still, ouch…

Some in the medical profession prefer medical treatment rather than ‘natural’ treatment’ – full stop.
It’s a tricky call going against his advice unless you absolutely know that the manuka will be more effective than the disinfectant…. (which there is of course no way of knowing…).

(((( vibes for “bunny no-name” )))

[LittlePuffyTail]

Poor bun (and you!). Don’t have any experience but want to send some (((Healing Vibes)))) for your bun.

[jerseygirl]

. I did ask about makuna honey as I read about that on the internet but he said no we would use a antibiotics kind of disinfectant (just spoke to him on the phone)

It may be because of the location of the wound a whether it channels through to different areas. Some abscesses can start in nasal area but then breach the mouth or ear. He may want to stick with what he himself has seen successful in practice.

Im trying to recall another product i read that a vet had found really good. It helped with the tissue granulation. Will post about it if i can find where i read it!

[Author]

Messages