Rabbit with Sore Lip

[LindseyR]

Hi,

I’m looking for a bit of advice. My bunny Floyd has a sore lip, I only noticed this last night. He is still behaving (and misbehaving) as normal and it hasn’t changed his eating or pooping habbits. He doesn’t live with any other rabbits and I haven’t changed any of his food/ bedding etc recently.

 

I’ve looked on this forum for answers and read about rabbit syphilis. I’ve checked him all over and he doesn’t have any scabs anywhere else.

 

I haven’t taken him to the vet yet, I was planning to keep an eye on it over the next couple of days first. Does anyone have any tips/ advice on what it could be or what I could do.

 

Thanks

Lindsey

 

 

[Bam]

You have looked into rabbit syphilis, that would be my first guess too, unless he’s been eating sth that could have scratched his lips like rose twigs or other twigs or wood with splinters. Or got caght with his lips in the cage bars? It’s in a place where it’s rather pointless to clean it with saline and/or put antibiotic ointment on it. A vet could prescribe oral antibiotics for it though. I think I’d watch it closely for a day or two, then call the vet – if it got bigger or he started showing signs of pain or inappetance I’d call the vet sooner of course. It’s good that you have taken pictures, do that every day so you can keep close track of how it develops. Our brains aren’t good at remembering these things correctly, pics are a very good help.

[LindseyR]

Thank you for replying. I’ll keep taking pictures and keep an eye on it. Hopefully it clears up but if not I’ll take him to the vet. My local vet is really good with him and all the nurses love to see him. He’s just demolished his salad so it’s not affecting his appetite.

[LBJ10]

Just looking at the picture, it looks like syphilis is a real possibility. I agree with Bam. Keep and eye on it and document any changes. If it doesn’t go away or gets worse, get him into the vet.

[jerseygirl]

Ditto. Keep an eye on for now. It almost looks as if scab is about to come off. Hopefully it’s a one off thing.
Do keep in mind rabbit syphilis doesn’t always present in the typical way of genital and facial sores. There are cases of just some on face only.

He’s beautiful. Love that soft grey colour and love his name!

[LindseyR]

Hi,

Thanks for the advice. I’ve decided to take him to the vet just to be safe and for my own peace of mind. Thank you I think he’s beautiful too

Lindsey

[Bam]

We’d be very happy for updates on this, if you feel like it. Wishing you the best of luck at the vet. If it should turn out to be rabbit syphilis it can be cured, as I’m sure you know.
(((((Floyd)))))

[LindseyR]

Well floyd has been at the vet. It doesn’t look as bad today so Shes not convinced it’s syphilis. I’ve to keep an eye on it I’ve the next week or two and see what happens.

Thanks again for all the advice, much appreciated

[LBJ10]

He isn’t in immediate danger so it’s okay to watch it. It might go away or it might get worse. Or it might go away and then a new sore pops up. If that happens, then I think it will be a little more convincing.

[LindseyR]

Well it looks like it’s going away and I can’t find any other sores so hopefully it doesn’t come back. But I will keep checking

Lindsey

[Bam]

Keeping my fingers crossed it’ll go away for good!

[Author]

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