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Forum DIET & CARE Need help fast! I have a bunny with an abcess.

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    • Heather Duve
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         I recently was given 3 flemish giants. I recieved them from a man that had become too ill to care for his bunnies. 1 is a 6 month old female. She seems happy and healthy. Then there is an old female. She also seems healthy aside from the fact that she seems to get very agitated when I clean out her cage. And then we have a very large hormonal adult male. He was in bad shape. Very dirty and matted. We ended up having to shave him down just so he could walk properly. They were all kept together. The older female has some balding on her back from being bred to death by this male. The man we got them from says she hasnt had any babys for over a year and is likely to old to get pregnant and the little girl is to young to get pregnant so he just let them all live together. I originally was gonna take them all to a local shelter but decided to bring them home after the shelter told me they would just put them down. I need help. I dont really know what I am doing. The male has developed an alarming mass under his chin and I am not sure what to do. I am certain I cannot afford the vet costs to cure him but I am willing to spend whatever is needed from a feed store on antibiotics or whatever. The lump developed over a couple of days time and is very large at this point.I just dont know where to start with all of this. I have built them all thier own cages, each one 9 feet long. They have plenty of room and they poor ladys are safe now from this brute with a one track mind. My question is, whats next? I would dearly appriciate and advice I can get.


      • Sarita
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          What a shame and unfortunate they were treated this way.

          Honestly you do need a vet to diagnose this – we really aren’t qualified to diagnose and treat rabbits. I understand you don’t have the money but perhaps the vet will take a payment plan.


        • Heather Duve
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             Thanks for the advice.


          • Beka27
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              Yes, we really do need to encourage you to go to the vet. The vet can help you make an informed decision whether to proceed with treatment or humanely euthanize him. If this is an abscess (which is very common in bunnies), he may not be uncomfortable now, but at some point it may affect his ability to eat and groom properly. It would be helpful to know what you’re facing.

              Please keep us posted.


            • RabbitPam
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                You might check with that shelter to ask if they know a vet who donates their services there, and may be wiling to charge less for your rescued trio. I would definitely recommend having the young female spayed, and perhaps the older one unless the vet concurs that she is really too old for the procedure after having many litters.
                But the male sounds in bad shape, and I agree with Beka about finding out his chances or whether he is suffering (or going to soon).


              • Stickerbunny
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                  Abscesses aren’t too much to get treated, if they are treated early enough that there are no complications with it. It could also be a tumor though. You can’t know without diagnosis. If you can’t afford treatment yourself, call some rescues and explain yoru situation and see if any of them would be willing ot accept them and maybe let you foster?


                • Heather Duve
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                    Thank you all for your advice. I am seriously not interested in taking him to the vet. I know it is cruel to make him suffer. I have no intent to allow that. The way I see it, I am in charge of his rescue. He needed help and I am trying to do that the best way that I can within reason. He is not a beloved family pet, he was being abused and I took him out of that situation. The local shelter will accept him and humanly put him to sleep for a fee that I think would be equal to me trying to fix him up with some antibiotics and tlc. I guess I am just wondering if it seems to be a better option to just put him down or perhaps attempt to treat his issues. Has anyone else had a bunny with an abcess? if so what was the treatment? Thanks again!


                  • Beka27
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                      Advanced abscesses are difficult to treat and often require surgery. Even then, they tend to reoccur. I agree that surrender to a rescue sounds like the best option for him.

                      For the other two, I would start looking to find them new homes. As you say, you’re not vested in them, they are not beloved pets. It is only a matter of time before another one will get sick and require vet treatment. If you’re unable to provide for them properly, they are better off going to someone who will.


                    • Deleted User
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                        Would it be alright to ask why you are so opposed to visiting a vet? Is it only the cost or is there some other reason? Because you may well be dealing with more then the visible problems you have spotted. I feel very strongly (and I know a lot of people who agree with me) that any rescued animal (and I live with several) needs a medical exam right off, even if they look perfectly healthy, … you just don’t know for sure. And rabbits are much more difficult then a dog or cat, … you can’t really home medicate a rabbit the way you can some other animals, and an approach of well I can eat it or take it so its alright on them really isn’t a good idea. Some members suggestions have address cost creatively, if there is another reason then explaining might help. Giving them space is lovely but surely you rescued them to give them a happier healthier life?


                      • Stickerbunny
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                          Posted By Heather Duve on 05/16/2013 04:44 PM
                          Thank you all for your advice. I am seriously not interested in taking him to the vet. I know it is cruel to make him suffer. I have no intent to allow that. The way I see it, I am in charge of his rescue. He needed help and I am trying to do that the best way that I can within reason. He is not a beloved family pet, he was being abused and I took him out of that situation. The local shelter will accept him and humanly put him to sleep for a fee that I think would be equal to me trying to fix him up with some antibiotics and tlc. I guess I am just wondering if it seems to be a better option to just put him down or perhaps attempt to treat his issues. Has anyone else had a bunny with an abcess? if so what was the treatment? Thanks again!

                           

                          Abscesses typically require being cut open, drained and left open for X amount of time to fully drain out and kept clean while that is happening, along with an ointment to put on it to help prevent infection and antibiotics to help the immune system. This is really not possible to do at home. And if left to itself, it will cause pain, infection and various other issues.

                          What area do you live in, perhaps we could find a rescue in the area and you could contact them and maybe they could get him the vet care he needs? Shelters (I assume you mean a humane society type place) often won’t take in old or injured animals due to cost, which I am guessing is why they’d want to put him down.


                        • Heather Duve
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                            Where I live there really isnt afforable vet options. Its 85.00 for the office visit, then the cost of xrays, treatment and meds. That can stack up quickly. I can not see given the fact that I have no knowledge of his health history, age or pedegree spending that kind of money on a possible no win situation when I could invest that money into the others who appear to have many years ahead of them. To me it just doesnt make sense. I am however willing to pay the cost and try some antibiotics, or other home care before I surrender him to his fate at a shelter. The shelter is where he has headed in the first place. I just thought I would give healing him a shot. I have nothing against vets. I am sorry if I came off that way.


                          • Heather Duve
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                               I am in southern California


                            • MoveDiagonally
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                                Posted By Heather Duve on 05/16/2013 05:28 PM
                                Where I live there really isnt afforable vet options. Its 85.00 for the office visit, then the cost of xrays, treatment and meds. That can stack up quickly. I can not see given the fact that I have no knowledge of his health history, age or pedegree spending that kind of money on a possible no win situation when I could invest that money into the others who appear to have many years ahead of them. To me it just doesnt make sense. I am however willing to pay the cost and try some antibiotics, or other home care before I surrender him to his fate at a shelter. The shelter is where he has headed in the first place. I just thought I would give healing him a shot. I have nothing against vets. I am sorry if I came off that way.

                                Honestly, If you’re not willing to get him or the other bunnies proper vet care then you’re not doing them any good. 

                                I would surrender them all to a rescue NOT a shelter. 

                                I googled Southern California Rabbit Rescue. Please take a moment to look through them and at least call a couple. Without going to the vet the BEST thing you can do for them is surrender them to a rescue. 

                                https://www.google.com/search?newwi…mp;bih=741


                              • Deleted User
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                                  Alright, I do understand budget restrictions, still I think you need to really look closely at the situation you are trying to deal with.

                                  First, as mentioned in my last post rabbits are different. You cannot even use all antibiotics to treat them.

                                  Secondly you Think you are coping with an absess. It could be an infected gland (which can hurt a lot) or a tumour, and those are just two alternatives off the top of my medically ignorant head. If it originates in his neck and is something that increases in size then he may run into problems swallowing or breathing.

                                  This is Not a simple straight forward issue you want to look after. I know you must be sick of reading this by now but why not keep the two females you want to expend the money and time on, and do a quick search for a rabit rescue. Often rescues have volunteers who will drive some distance to collect the animal their rescue focuses on so it does not need to be “local”. If they won’t come they may know of a no kill shelter to direct you to. Please let him go somewhere he can get the help he needs. You have no idea what it is you are looking at, that could be the One visible sign of a larger problem, and as has now been pointed out even an absess is far from a quick and easy treatment. He needs Help!


                                • Heather Duve
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                                    Thank you all very much for your help. I will look into a rescue before I contact the shelter if that is what I decide to do. I would like to say however that the point I am trying to get across here is not that vet care is to expensive for me. What I am saying is that I consider it a tremendous waste of money in THIS particular rabbits case. I just thought I would try to help him a little. I have also been known to give a drown baby chick CPR before I give up on it. Same theory here. Thanks again to all.


                                  • Deleted User
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                                      I and I feel sure other members do really appreciate your intentions, but bluntly trying to revive a drowned baby chick is pretty straight forward, this situation is Not!!! With the very best intentions and the kindest motivations you may harm or cause this rabbit suffering. And given all you’ve said and done I’m positive that would distress you. He may be hurting right now, and it is important to take that into account too. If making him well or his general well being are your concerns then just trying out a treatment to hope it works isn’t the best thing you can do for him.


                                    • jerseygirl
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                                        I don’t even know what antibiotics you’d be able to acquire at a feed store. Or if they’d be rabbit safe. They have a pretty unique gut and it can be sensitive to different antibiotics.

                                        The problem with abscesses in rabbits is the pus is very thick and difficult to clear. The body starts to wall off the abscess also making it more difficult for antibiotics to work.

                                        If its been this fast growing it might burst while he is with you. In this event, I think you could have sterile saline (lots!) on hand to flush it out. Other then that, I’m not sure there is much you can do at home.

                                        ETA : Other then abscess, cyst or tumour, another possibility is botfly warble given the condition he was in.

                                        Do look into the rabbit specific rescues. California in general seems to have a lot. I think you’ll have more options if you can contact some of them.

                                        Good luck!


                                      • RabbitPam
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                                          I agree with the suggestion that rescues in CA are set up to assist in taking in an ill bunny, and do help with things like transportation.
                                          One more suggestion: is there a vet school anywhere near you, or available by phone to call to ask if they would help take him in? My thinking is that it could be something complicated, and they always need an animal to learn about proper diagnosing and treatment. So if he were surrendered to a school, he may get thoroughly examined and treated with very good care as a case study. Just another option for him.

                                          I understand that it’s not the money for you here. But your options for treatment are limited and we don’t advocate home care when a vet is warranted. Should I assume that the former owner who didn’t give them care to begin with is not available to share vet costs with you either? (That’s probably part of why you rescued them – he wouldn’t get them treatment, right?)

                                          You’re doing your best to help these bunnies. Keep us updated on your progress today.


                                        • NuggetBuns
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                                            My rabbit originally had an abscess when we got him from a pet store. We had no idea until 3 weeks later when I took him for his first vet visit. The abscess had grown significantly on his head and caused him to sneeze/snort a lot and was so heavy on his head that he wouldn’t move around as much. Once the vet checked out the lump on his head, he immediately cut it open, drained it, and scraped all the thick pus out without having to put my rabbit under or perform surgery. Then he added some sutures to tie up the dead skin on his head. It was simple to do and didn’t take too long, but abscesses can be tricky and harder to remove if it’s near the mouth area. The vet explained how different rabbit pus is compared to humans and dog/cats and wouldn’t advise anyone to drain it unless you have the knowledge or equipment. He also gave me antibiotics and probiotics to keep the abscess from coming back. Like another member said, it is very hard to remove an abscess entirely depending on where they are located and how long they’ve been growing for. They usually come back and the rabbit will need to have it drained again and again, plus be on medicine. That is the worst case scenario. If the abscess is in its early stages, it might be a quick and simple procedure like my experience. Your vet also shouldn’t charge extra after the initial visit fee and about $50-$60 for the medicine.

                                            It’s really wonderful that you took those rabbits out of their poor living conditions and I can see that you really want to help the male rabbit with all you’ve got if you can save his life. Like everyone else has said, the best thing to do is to take him to a vet and get the lump under his chin checked out. It may or may not be an abscess. The vet can tell you if the condition is bad or not before you decide to proceed with the removal of the lump (whether it be a tumor, abscess, or infected gland). Good luck to you and the bunny, whatever you decide to do. I hope he will be in good hands.


                                          • Heather Duve
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                                              Welp, I ended up just taking him to the vet. Had an abscess and it had begun to drain itself before we made it to the vet. It had grown to the size of a small apple in a matter of 3 days. It was very heavy but other than that he never seemed uncomfortable. He ate like a pig and drank plenty. The vet was a total of 195.00 for the procedure to drain the abscess and general check up. Another 63.00 for the meds. He is doing fine now. The vet said it would likely return and at that point I would need to have it drained again and more meds. Not sure what I should do with him at this point. All of the rescues are over crowded and wont take him. The supposed no kill shelters are a joke. They may not kill but if they are overcrowded they ship your pet off to a shelter that will.


                                            • Stickerbunny
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                                                I’m glad he got it treated, I am sure he’ll be much happier once it heals up. Perhaps you could rehome him yourself? There are probably some animal lovers who would take in an abuse case, even with the cost of care he’ll need when it returns.

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                                            Forum DIET & CARE Need help fast! I have a bunny with an abcess.