Respiratory distress from tooth abscess?

[Gingerbread's mom]

Hello, my sweet bun Gingerbread has suddenly developed a runny nose and constant congested noises through his nose. He is still eating although I think it isn’t that easy for him due to being congested. He is normally very social but doesn’t want to be touched right now. I took him to the emergency vet last night because this started on a Friday evening and nowhere else would see him. The vet said she thinks he has a tooth root abscess close to his nose because she felt a lump. She is assuming this is the cause of his upper respiratory infection. Has anyone dealt with this before? The visit alone cost me $325 and she was saying a CT scan to diagnose will be upwards of $800. I don’t want to put a price tag on his life but I have to be realistic about what I can afford. And from what I have read about rabbit abscesses it sounds like its a very long road and not even all that successful even with surgery. Just looking for advice and suggestions as I really am not sure what to do. He is currently on an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. He will get his second does today. Thank you for any insight-

[Suduko]

I’m sorry to hear that Gingerbread is going through this.Its stressful when your pet is ill and the is high price for diagnoses and for treatments. I’m not sure where you live but if there is a rabbit savvy vet that is near I would take your Gingerbread there. The Emergency vet is always more expensive.

Abscesses teeth can cause a runny eye and nose and congestion. Dental disease is a caused by a bacterial infection that has enter into the gums and it can spread into other areas. So that tooth that is abscessed would have to be removed. And it can get really pricey trying to treat it and more abscesses can form in other areas for various reason.

I would try to find another rabbit savvy vet. That whole visit sounds very expensive and for the cost of CT. A CT has costs me around $150. The visit to the vet costs me $75. Blood work has cost me $150. Medication can be very expensive, most I’ve spent is like $50 – $100. I found going to a pet medical dispensary with my prescription did keep my cost lower on medication, that is if your vet is willing to give you the prescription to take it to them.

I’m really sorry that both of you are going through this experience.If I had a magic wand I would wave it, so the two of you wouldn’t be going through this. But with others knowing where you live, they maybe able to find a rabbit savvy vet that is closer to you.

[LBJ10]

This was an emergency vet and they tend to be a lot more expensive. Do you have a regular vet you can take him to? You could talk to them about a more conservative course to treatment. For example, you can wait to see if the medications seem to help at all before pursuing a CT scan. You said she felt a lump… but is there a visible bulging anywhere? I’m wondering how/where she felt this lump.

[Gingerbread's mom]

Thank you both for your suggestions. I will be taking him to a regular exotic animal vet once the weekend is over and they reopen. Unfortunately, I think he will need to go back to the ER tomorrow as he is not wanting to eat now. He won’t touch his hay. I’ve tried mashed cooked vegetables, small pieces of grapes and feed him twice with a syringe using critical care but he is not wanting any of it. It’s so frustrating to know he needs to eat but just won’t. Thanks for your kind wishes for my sweet bun!

[Suduko]

What flavor of critical care is it?

[Gingerbread's mom]

It’s the apple banana flavor. We spent most of the day in the animal hospital again. Gingerbread isn’t eating anything. He got oxygen and fluids today. I have to take him for a CT scan tomorrow and see what we are dealing with. The vet today said it could be cancer as he is toward the end of his lifespan. He’s only 7 but I guess for a Holland lop that’s on the older side. Just so sad for my bun and wishing I could take away his pain. His brought so much joy to me and my little girls.

[LBJ10]

I don’t think 7 is old for a Holland. They are a dwarf breed. But a tumor would almost make more sense in this scenario. Hopefully you can figure out what it is. I’m sorry he isn’t eating. Perhaps the vet visit pushed him over the edge?

[Gingerbread's mom]

Thank you. I was certainly planning for more years with him. Hopefully we will get some answers tomorrow. They vet wamted to keep him overnight but I felt like it was better for him to be at home.

[Gingerbread's mom]

Thanks for your help and comments. My sweet boy passed away early this morning. I’m heartbroken that I don’t know what happened. He was his normal full of life self until Friday. It’s amazing how something so small can leave such a big hole.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so very sorry for your loss. It’s hard to lose a bunny quite suddenly and to not know what happened. I know how it feels. I’ve been there.
 

Feel free to leave a tribute post in the Rainbow Bridge Forum.

(((((Binky Free Gingerbread)))))))

[Doodler]

I am so sorry for your loss of Gingerbread. These little ones definitely take a big piece of our hearts.

[LBJ10]

Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear this.

[Gingerbread's mom]

Thank you so much for the kind words. It’s been a rough couple of days. I miss him so much. It’s hard when so many people don’t understand the impact “just a rabbit” can have in your life.

[LittlePuffyTail]

It is hard. But we all understand.

[Author]

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