Questions About Abdominal Abcess

[LeahC]

One of my rabbits, Bonnie, has “sprouted” a rather large abscess under her left armpit. She is a 2 year old French Lop. I had just finished treating her for a very mild ear infection on her left side when almost overnight a lump formed in her left armpit and then opened into the large abscess. She is still eating normally, drinking more than normal (I did read increased water intake as a common abscess symptom), and behaving fairly normally (she will hop around the house with her buddy bunny but then I’ll find her laying in her litter box which is unusual, and I assume she is in some pain). 

My husband and I immediately took her to the vet. They prescribed her Metacam and Orbax for 7 days and topically cleaned the abscess (no draining/lancing, etc.) and said to come back in a few days. They do not know why her abscess formed under her armpit. Currently we are putting warm compresses on the affected area and cleaning with betadine, along with meticulously cleaning her litter box and replacing the floor of her large pen with new sheets once a day for a cleaner surface.  

I keep reading how difficult it is to manage abscesses and want to make sure we are doing everything we can to heal her and reduce her pain. Does anyone have any suggestions for abscess treatment and management? Has anyone had a rabbit with an abscess in the armpit/abdominal region? 

[LittlePuffyTail]

Did your vet do a culture? This is always my vets first step with an abscess. Abscesses can be due to several different types of bacteria so determine the exact bacteria can determine which antibiotic will be best. Pasteurella is a very common cause of abscesses but they can also be caused by things like a puncture injury.

If the abscess doesn’t clear up after the prescribed treatment, I suggest mentioning a culture to your vet or possibly getting a second opinion from another rabbit savvy vet.

[LeahC]

Thank you! Our vet did not do a culture yet, but we have already scheduled a follow-up appointment in two days when the more rabbit savvy vet at the office will be in and I will make sure to ask her about this. Hopefully things will either improve or remain the same until this vet comes in!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Good luck at your apt!

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