Peepi has a lump on his tummy

[peepi&warri]

 I found a lump on Peepi’s tummy today. It’s fairly big, about the size of a grape. It moves and is soft, so hopefully it’s not a tumor. But then that leaves abscess or cyst (do rabbit’s get hernias?). Sigh. I’ll be calling the vet first thing Monday.

[jerseygirl]

{{{Peepi}}} He’s not having much luck! Hopefully it turns out to be something benign. Keep us posted.

[Beka27]

Oh Peepi :o(

Let us know what the vet says. Not sure if buns can get hernias, but I know abscesses and cysts are possibilities.

[KatnipCrzy]

I cannot see why a rabbit would not get a hernia- it is just an opening/weak spot in the abdominal wall.  In dogs I know it commonly hereditary- which I was surprised to learn.

The severity of a hernia depends on what the vet can palpate- if the intestines can poke thru or if it just feels like fat.  Another possibility is maybe just a fatty mass- not sure how common those are in bunnies.

Please keep us updated- but it is a good idea to take him in and get it checked out- better now than if it causes an emergency!

[peepi&warri]

Thankfully he’s been acting completely normal, so I’m trying not to worry too much. I had noticed the lump maybe a few weeks ago, but I just thought it was the end of his ribs so I didn’t try to feel it more. Then yesterday I noticed it and it seemed a lot bigger. He was just at the vets for an exam a month ago and the vet didn’t notice it, so it has to have formed within the past month.

If a rabbit has an abscess, do they usually show signs of illness or pain when it is touched?

[jerseygirl]

When I was reading about them (as you do…) when another members rabbit formed a dental abscess, one thing I was surprised to find is that most are not painful. Some dental ones can be if affecting the nerve. Also, rabbit abscess are often more firm to the touch, unlike abscess in a cat or dog.
Apparently fatty tumors are common enough. I think Sarita or Binky Bunny mentioned this once.

[MimzMum]

Putting in my healing vibes for dear Peepi! (((((((((((((((((((vibes))))))))))))))))

[RabbitPam]

[[[[[[[[[[[Good luck at the vet, Peepi}}}}}}}}}}}

[Monkeybun]

Good luck Peepi!!! ((((((((((((((((((((vibes!)))))))))))))))))

[peepi&warri]

The appointment is tomorrow. I’m starting to get nervous… I don’t want to get bad news.

[Sarita]

Please keep us updated. I’ve gone through a few lumps on some of my rabbits and thankfully those have turned out to be benign.

[MimzMum]

((((((((((((((((some more good vet visit vibes!)))))))))))))))))))

[bunnyluvr]

Any news yet? (((((((((((((((((((((Peepi)))))))))))))))))

[peepi&warri]

Not yet, the appointment isn’t until another 5 hours. Long wait.

[peepi&warri]

We’re back from the vet.

So the diagnosis is a fluid filled cyst. The vet drained it and got out about 3-4 ml of fluid. She looked at it, there’s no infection and no abnormal cells. What a relief. I was so worried it was something worse. Now I just have to monitor it to see if it comes back. If it does then we’ll have to decide if we want to have to keep draining it, just leave it if it doesn’t get too big, or surgically remove the cyst.

Thanks for all the vibes guys!

[Monkeybun]

Whew, a cyst is something easily taken care of Yay for Peepi and the good vet visit (((((((((((continuing vibes))))))))))))

[MimzMum]

Oh that’s good news! ^_^ I am so glad for you and Peepi! (((((hugs))))))
I’ve had several keratin cysts grow on me over my lifetime, they are a pain in that they look so nasty, but removal is easy. I hope Peepi’s just goes away and stays away!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Great news!!! My goodness what a relief!

[Karla]

Posted By peepi&warri on 03/19/2010 06:41 PM
We’re back from the vet.

So the diagnosis is a fluid filled cyst. The vet drained it and got out about 3-4 ml of fluid. She looked at it, there’s no infection and no abnormal cells. What a relief. I was so worried it was something worse. Now I just have to monitor it to see if it comes back. If it does then we’ll have to decide if we want to have to keep draining it, just leave it if it doesn’t get too big, or surgically remove the cyst.

Thanks for all the vibes guys!

Could you explain this a bit more? Molly has a lump as well on her chest, and we have an appointment at the vet’s on Tuesday. As I was reading about it on the net, it sounded like it was nothing to worry about. And as I can understand, if it doesn’t grow, your vet suggests leaving it as well?
 

[peepi&warri]

I think most cysts aren’t bad. The main concern that I’m aware of is if it grows too big it can then burst, which could lead to infection. Yeah, the vet mentioned leaving it as an option if it doesn’t get too big.

[Sadie]

OK, I know almost nothing about rabbit health – but I know something about human health…
A cyst is like an absess, but an absess is filled with pus (white blood cells) and is indicative of an inflammatory response, probably to a microbial infection. A cyst is usually just filled with a watery fluid and can be drained or can just go away on its own depending on location and size. If a cyst becomes infected, then it’s an absess and can be treated with antibiotics and also should be removed. You can’t really tell the difference between a cyst and an absess by feeling around, but if it’s just a random lump in an area that doesn’t normally form absesses, there’s a good chance its just a cyst. An absess will probably also be accompanied by a fever and change in behavior i.e. being sick. A cyst is really only dangerous if it’s in the way of something important – blocking a blood vessel, pushing on organs etc.

[KatnipCrzy]

My cat was diagnosed with a cyst on her hip about 1 1/2 years ago- it got larger and I would occasionally have to drain it (I work at a vet clinic so I have the experience and supplies).  It got large enough that it was oozing a bit- so the hair became sticky and matted- so then it was hairless on the cyst itself from the yuckiness.  It ruptured and continually drained- and the cat was licking it more- which increases the chance of infection because the problem was still there- the cyst but it could not longer hold fluid.  Then I caught on of the dogs (who eats disgusting things if he has the chance) licking her cyst site and so I had it surgically removed and it all healed up fine.

The chance of infection became too high and it was draining a serumy fluid- and when “potty mouth dog” was helping to “clean it” and was attracted to it- it became a better choice to remove.

So just keep an eye on it- if it gets larger or ruptures you may need to have it removed- as the chance of infection on the belly might be higher as it is closer to the litter, floor, hay and not as easy for you to see all the time.  But it is usually a very simple surgery- much easier than a spay/neuter.  I almost wish I had done it sooner before it got as large as her incision would have been smaller- but it all healed well anyway.

[Sadie]

good story – but – ew!
Thanks for the info

[Author]

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