abscess at my house too.

[kralspace]

Geez,

I’ve been following Henri’s and other posts about abscesses and feeling so bad about everyone having to deal with that nightmare….. then

All day Sunday I kept smelling something awful in the bunny room so I moved, mopped and scrubbed everything in there. (I was expecting to find maybe a dead mouse or something that had escaped the cats ) Nothing. Then I caught my little black lionhead, Simba for a brushing and he had an abscess nearly the size of half a pingpong ball on the side of his face! And it wasn’t there Thursday when I brushed him last. He only weighs 2.5 lbs so this thing felt huge.

I was in such shock I couldn’t believe what I was feeling, then it started oozing a bit, I have never smelled anything that bad in my life and I’ve been in some pretty bad smells.

His mane is so long and thick I hadn’t seen it, I felt it and had to turn him upside down to get a look at it. He’s been perfectly normal the whole time, eating, playing, etc,. nothing to tip you off that something was wrong.

I’ve been at the vet’s with him all morning and the good news is that it is self-contained and hadn’t opened into his mouth, didn’t involve his teeth, eye or anything. I helped hold him while she cut the leathery pouch out and showed me how to ‘scoop the goop’ and clean it and give the meds. One tech had to leave because she was going to barf from the smell.

It is pretty upsetting to see such a large wound on such a tiny creature, but the vet said chances are good he’ll heal up nicely if we can keep it open and cleaned out. Good thing I was used to dealing with stuff like that from having a klutzy horse for 32 years or I think I would have fainted dead away.

I also had Hershey, Simba’s mate, with us. Dr. Erving wanted to do a checkup since she was now prescribing meds for her occasional sneezing fits. She pitched a fit during the exam, boxing the vet pretty good across the nose when she was listening to her heart. When the tech picked her up to trim her nails, she screamed once like a banshee and people came running from everywhere. I know they do that when in mortal peril, but  she acted more mad than frightened. These people are always very kind and gentle with the buns and my other four have no problems.

They’re keeping them for me during the afternoon so I don’t have them up here in my cold office, but I bet they’ll be glad to see the last of those crazy seniors citizens for awhile.

Simba could use some healing vibes!

Kathy

[Sarita]

Oh no Kathy! Poor Simba – I’m sending healing vibes his way.

These things can come on pretty suddenly too but it sounds like he’s in very good hands.

I think Hershey is just very sensitive and got scared – that poor vet tech probably felt bad. I had a rabbit that screamed at the vet’s too – he was extremely sensitive as well and I know it wasn’t the vet.

It is so stressful having sick bunnies – hugs to you too.

[kralspace]

The tech did feel pretty bad, after the nails were down she set her down on the table and Hershey whipped around to face the vet and started thumping hard at her…lol. Then she turned and flicked at her with the back feet as she darted into the carrier. The tech was laughing because she knew she had just been told off in bunny.

Simba tolerated everything much better than I expected, even the hydrotherapy. Hopefully he stays in good spirits and heals quickly.

thanks, Kathy

[KatnipCrzy]

Sending healing and calming vibes Simba and Hershey’s way!!! 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

{{Simba}} {{Hershey}}

That story was pretty funny I must say. I can concur that they will scream if mad-I’ve heard Rupert scream once-I was bathing his bum in the tub, I get in there with him in shorts and bath him. I am lathering him up (keep in mind this is tearless shampoo on his BUM and no where near his eyes to cause pain) and he looks strait at me and goes ‘ahhhh ahhhh ahhh’ three short screams. I couldn’t believe it. He definitely wasn’t scared-just very very mad!! I was freaked out and we cut the bath short just in case-but he was fine just angry

I can so picture a bunny boxing that vet that sounds pretty funny too. Good thing you had a clutzy horse-cleaning that abscess should be nothing compared to the silly things horses do to themselves!

[jerseygirl]

I immediately thought “lionhead>>teeth>>abcess” so I’m really surprised the teeth weren’t involved! Glad to hear you caught it and it’s been treated. ((Simba)) ((banshee Hershey)) *shivers*

[Beka27]

Oh poor thing! Thank goodness you found it! That sounds just awful from your description… Keep us posted on how he does…

(((Simba!)))

[kralspace]

thanks for all the healing vibes, everyone’s settled down for the night. Both Simba and Hershey headed for the lower level on their condo and haven’t stuck their noses out all evening. I put the pellets with their dab of applesauce outside and someone pulled it into the willow tent, so their appetites must be ok.

I don’t have a handy setup for the warm water rinsing like the vet does, nor an extra pair of hands for the daily washout. I’m thinking of trying to ‘burrito’ Simba so my son can hold him flat on some soft towels and use a squirt gun filled with warm water (or maybe a large bore syringe). A vet had me do this with a cat a few years ago and it worked pretty well. You can control the strength of the water stream and aim it where you need it without soaking the whole bunny down. I need to get some long qtips tomorrow to help pick out the gunk like she did.

that and the meds, should be a lot of fun for all.

[Deleted User]

I feel a learning opportunity coming on for a naive bunny mommy……

what exactly is an abcess? how does it happen? how can it be prevented?

Healing vibes for Simba! glad you caught it right away!

[Cassi&Charlie]

(((Simba)))

Hope he starts to heal soon. Great news that it hadn’t reached the mouth yet but poor lil bun.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Sorry to read about the stress you went through with your bun. At least you caught it early and were able to get him to the vet.

{{{{{{Simba}}}}}}}}}

Poor Henri at the stable is still dealing with his. I really don’t know what they are going to do about it. At least he’s still happy and eating though.

I also have an abcess question. I know the most common causes of them are Pasteurella, an injury or bite wound and teeth problems. Is there anything else that can cause them?

[MooBunnay]

I found a pretty good article on abcesses in rabbits here: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=503&S=5

Here are a couple of the highlight bits of information from the article (taken directly from the above article):

1. An abscess is a cavity containing pus, surrounded by a capsule of thickened inflamed tissue which is the usually result of a bacterial infection

2. The most common causes of rabbit abscesses are bite wounds that become infected and infections in tooth roots and tear ducts

 

Did your vet check for any teeth issues? I read in the article that most “facial abcesses are the result of dental disease.” Could you think of a possible other source of the abcess?  I know that quite often it can be the result of a cut or a bite, perhaps he accidentally got nipped by another bunny?

Your story is a good reminder that I haven’t given my rabbits a good check over in a while…they won’t be thanking you when they all get picked up and poked at tonight !

[katiep]

Good thing you found it when you did!  Sometimes it seems like they can come out of no where!  I also had a rabbit who had an abcess in his jaw.  We took him to the best vet in a 50mile radius and had the $700 surgery with implanted medicated beads and he healed up…..for 4 months then all of a sudden, it wasn’t there Sunday but back with full force on Tuesday and he past on Wed.  Probably the hardest thing i’ve been through.  It was strange how much of a personality these little furry angels have….he didn’t pass until I told him it was ok to…within 5 minutes he was gone.  So sad….I hope you have better luck with your bunny angel, Kathy!

[MimzMum]

((((((healing vibes for Simba and calming vibes for Hershey)))))))))))

Wow that is a terrible thing to find all of a sudden like that. Good thing it will be treatable though. Poor Simba and poor you!

I’ve only heard my bunnies squeal/whine a few times. Lately Pip has been grunting at me a lot. I think territorialism has finally sunk in for all three of them. Anything untoward and they go off with their assorted sounds of disapproval.

Mimzy has a sneezing problem (still waiting on the tests for Pasteurella), do you know what causes Hershey’s sneezing? Do any of your bunnies test positive for the dreaded Big P?

[kralspace]

We thank you for all the healing (and especially the calming vibes) Outside of pointedly staying out of reach today, the feisty seniors seem ok.

My son and I practiced a bit tonight before treating Simba, but it went pretty smoothly. Once he got laid out flat with his back feet just a bit back (so he couldn’t bunch up and kick) he just relaxed and tried to nibble everything I put near his face.

The open abscess is about the size of a quarter and there wasn’t much pus, just in the deepest part of the center. The rest was nice and red like Dr. Erving was hoping for. The big syringe and warm water cleaned it out and I got the rest with a qtip. Packed it with the ointment which he kept trying to eat. The biggest fuss came when he had to take the probiotic and baytril.

The vet checked his mouth really well to rule out dental problems, then the tear ducts. Taking into account his crazed-mosquito behavior and how feisty his mate Hershey is, she figured it was either a nip or small injury.

I know these things can turn bad quickly or come back and kill them but we’re trying to stay upbeat. He’s eating and running around like normal, just looks a bit lopsided with the lion’s mane shaved on that side. I’ll try to remember to take a photo tomorrow. 

Hershey didn’t scream at me tonight when we caught her for her medicine but she was definitely not pleased. The vet said she had the best looking teeth she’d seen in a pet rabbit…lol. I hope she never uses them on me.

thanks again for keeping Simba in your bunny thoughts,
Kathy

[jerseygirl]

So how do they check the molar roots – without x-ray? Could that be a potential cause? I don’t know how old Simba is, just had read at some point about the older rabbits have more difficulties with the roots as the bone thins – or something like that…

[hooty22]

Ummm…. So am I the only one just put your bunny through the indignation of a frenzied abscess search? Is it getting contagious?

[kralspace]

Dr Erving felt it wasn’t connected with the teeth because she could open the pus pouch (sorry if you’re eating breakfast) and follow it completely, it hadn’t pushed into the gums or mouth, it was contained on the surface of the skin for now. (she’ll be checking to make sure it doesn’t burrow its way deeper)

count me in hooty, I grabbed each of the other five and gave them all a good squeezing and grope. They are still running for the lower levels when I walk in the room.

[Sarita]

Glad all is going well with Simba – keep us updated.

[Sarita]

How’s Simba?

[kralspace]

Simba’s getting on, we had an appointment yesterday, the abscess was still as deep and not as healed as she hoped, but she said it was clean and slowly getting better. She completely cut out the dead skin and found nice clean tissue growing back and wants me to increase the batril he gets.

I need to go by a medical supply store this afternoon and get some of those long wooden qtips and bent needlenose things so I can get in there better.

My son in law, the geek, would barf if he knew I was using tools out of my computer repair kit to work on the abscess (tweezers, grabber, etc.)

[Sarita]

That’s good news – sounds like he’s healing nicely even if it’s not as quickly at the vet would like.

[Deleted User]

haha, thats too funny kralspace….do what you gotta do though, right?!

[MimzMum]

lolz… I would only be thinking of how I would sterilize what I’m using to keep it safe for the bunnies…to heck with where the tools come from as long as they work! ^_^

More healing vibes coming your way! ((((((((((vibes)))))))))

[MooBunnay]

I’m so glad to hear that the healing is coming along and that you are experienced enough to be able to know what to do. I would probably be at a complete loss, and I would also have probably been the one in the dead faint at the vets office Me and all the 8 buns send healing vibes up your way, and I send some calming vibes for you since it must be a bit stressful to deal with. I hope that it is 100% better soon!

[kralspace]

I haven’t wanted to say anything the last few days because I thought the abscess was getting worse. I couldn’t get as deep to clean it and there was a bit of blood, thought it had invaded the mouth, but…

Yippee!!! Everyone’s prayers and healing vibes are working! Today when Dr. Erving flipped Simba over she she went OMG and I was really for the worst, but she said it had healed from the bottom and was nearly healed to the surface. I wasn’t able to treat him last night because there was no one to hold him for me so I was waiting for a flood of pus to come out when she scrubbed it down to the tissue.

She said there was now a nice thick layer of healthy bunny flesh between the back wall of the abscess and his jawbone and if our luck holds out he should be ok pretty soon. I’m so relieved. There is just a little of pus and I only have to go just below the skin surface not, an inch and half deep.

Thanks to everyone, we’re not completely out of it yet, but I’m feeling much better now.

((bunny hugs to all)) Kathy

[Deleted User]

YAY!!!!!

[jerseygirl]

The vibes may have helped but I’m sure it was your dedicated care that did it. Well Done!

[MimzMum]

Oh that is such good news! Yay! (((((((Simba & Kathy))))))

[Sarita]

Yay…that is great news. You are a very good bunny mom.

[Beka27]

That’s AWESOME! Way to go!

((((((((((((((Simba!))))))))))))

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Great news!!!

[HereBeBunnies]

Poor bunny. That sounds so stressful for such a small animal to go through. Glad he is feeling better!
This is probably too late to help Simba, but when I had my wisdom teeth taken out, the dentist gave me a syringe to flush the holes out with. It sounds like one of those would be good for abscess cleaning. I’m sure you could find a dentist in your area willing to give you one.

[kralspace]

OK, note to myself…….do not grope rabbits to look for abscesses while they are eating.

Simba had his last treatment 2 weeks ago, there was a tiny spot with an equally tiny amount of pus left, Dr. Erving said to continue treating but that he should be ok.
The spot healed over and the fur is growing back. I’ve been checking him everynight, much to his mighty disapproval. Monday night I freaked out because there was this lump in the same spot and I got the carrier ready for the morning. Checked him again just before I put him in it and went to the vet.

Dr. Erving had a big laugh when she couldn’t find a thing wrong and pronounced him healed! Both times I had checked him just after serving the pellets and she figures I must have snatched him up while he had a mouthful. I told her that he certainly tries to hog it all so Hershey doesn’t get any, even standing in the middle of the plate to block her out. From now on, he gets them scattered around like everyone else….lol

What a dummy I am 😉

[Sarita]

Glad Simba is still doing okay – I can understand your concern too.

[Beka27]

Oh my gosh! I would be worried too! That’s great to hear he is still doing well and he’s even getting his fur back…

Now if only he can get that crazy lady to stop poking and prodding while he eats… LOL!   

 

[BinkyBunny]

OH WHEW!!! I know with Rucy, she had several abscesses due to teeth issues, and Bailey had gotten one from a bite, and both had a little bit of scar tissue left that felt like a little lump so I know sometimes that can happen too.

Just so glad Simba is healed! I am sure you were VERY relieved!

[MooBunnay]

I’m glad to hear he is all better now! He sounds like a little chipmunk stuffing all his food in his cheeks

[Author]

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