My neutered male rabbit  (3 years old) has epidermoid cysts on all eight mammary glands.

I first noticed in December of 2016 and freaked out and took him to the vet. There was only one lump and the vet said it felt like “normal” mammary development you would see in females preparing to lactate. I asked why it would be happening to a male and he had no answers. One cyst became many and I went back for a follow up. The vet didn’t seem concerned and no tests were done.

Several months later the cysts are still around and I wanted to have them tested to make sure they weren’t malignant. The vet drained all of the cysts, had the fluid tested and it came back benign (consisted of only epithelial cells). She suggested that I have them removed and gave me an estimate of around $800 (US).   I find that prohibitively expensive, especially if the lumps aren’t hurting him. The lumps did come back after draining.

Now I am second guessing myself because I read a scary article that said cancers don’t always start out malignant, but can become so with time. I’m thinking about asking around for more estimates, but understandably, they all want to see him before they comment, and at around $100 per visit, that gets expensive fast. I’m currently on disability and receive payment, but that could end at any time, so I don’t want to put such a huge dent in my savings if I end up needing it to live on it (my parents are also partially dependent on me financially), especially if the surgery is not even necessary.

Does anyone else have any experience with anything like this?  All of my rabbits have always had rare problems that baffle even veterinarians.