Chin Sore

[jeg2014]

 Sorry for the long post— my poor bun has had a long list of issues. I have a 2 year old English Lop male. He has always preferred to drink from a ceramic bowl so for the first 9 months that I had him I had a bowl instead of a water bottle. Approximately 6 months ago I noticed that underneath his chin was red and scabby so I took him to the vet. We both assumed that the bowl was the issue due to constant skin exposure to water. I switched him from a bowl to a bottle and the vet gave me antibiotic cream. The scab cleared up, however, he had a lot of difficulties with the water bottle and still dripped water down his chin. I switched to two different bottles and he still has issues. Then, about a month ago I noticed the scab on his chin was back even though he has been using a bottle. I used the cream again which seemed to clear up the sore. However, I also found a small abscess about an inch or so away from the sore area. He had surgery 2 weeks ago to remove the abscess and it has cleared up well. But, tonight I looked and I see a small sore forming again in the same area as before. What could this be? I’m worried that since he is such a messy drinker that it is causing his skin to get irritated and scabby. I have tried wiping his chin after his drinks and, even with the bottle, he ends up with a wet chin after drinking. Would the abscess have formed due to the scab even though it is about an inch or more away? Or is that a different issue?  I’m planning to call the vet tomorrow but I was hoping for some ideas about what could be causing this. I want to stop treating the symptoms and get to the real issue if possible. Thanks so much! 

[Deleted User]

Just two quick thoughts, and not sure how useful either is.

First, have you tried different bowls? You mention two different bottles but what about giving him a different bowl? Maybe a wider shallower one, … or the reverse depending on what he was using originally? Something that let’s him tip his head forward while drinking may decrease the amount of water dripping along his chin.

And while this doesn’t address the problem perhaps you could ask the vet is there something you could apply to the dry chin that would help coat/protect the skin from wetness? I really don’t know anything about this in rabbits but if we were talking about a person I’d suggest a thin layer of something like vaseline (not a product I’m usually fond of, … in general I avoid it like the plague but it does repel water very effectively), or a lanolin based cream. As I said I have no idea what might work best on the rabbit, I’m just giving you those two examples to be clear what it is I’m suggesting. Something with a little beeswax might also work, just to help the skin repel the water.

I’m really sorry you and your rabbit are having such a rough time and I do hope you are able to get to the bottom of this issue and find a permanent solution very soon! Best of luck!

[Sarita]

It is very possible it has nothing at all to do with the water issue. Maybe see if the vet can give you some oral antibiotics to help clear up the infection.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I’m thinking it must be something else. Most our bunnies drink from bowls and I’ve never heard of that happening; They definitely seem to all prefer bowls to bottles, though I wouldn’t switch while you have this issue going on. I would probe your vet for more causes, like Sarita said it may be an infection or something completely unrelated to the water.

[jeg2014]

 Thanks everyone for responding! I took him into the vet (not my normal one) today and the vet said that the sore was caused by “rabbit acne” or bacteria getting trapped in his hair follicles. He cleaned his chin with rubbing alcohol and then gave him a steroid shot. The vet recommended rubbing his chin every day with rubbing alcohol until it clears up and then cleaning it 2-3xs/week after that. My main concern is that rubbing alcohol may not be good for rabbit’s skin, does anyone know? I guess I should trust a vet but it worries me because I wouldn’t want to be rubbed with rubbing alcohol everyday, especially on a sore. What do you all think? 

UPDATE: I did not feel comfortable about using rubbing alcohol so I called the vet and he recommended stridex pads. Then, my normal vet, who had been in surgery when I was there this morning, overheard our conversation and told me that rubbing alcohol is not very good for bunnies and he has pads that he will prescribe to me. I’m so thankful that I called and checked again! 

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m glad you checked with your vet. I would not use rubbing alcohol either since it wouldn’t be good for him if he ingested any through grooming.

I have a cat that gets chin acne. Didn’t know rabbits ever got this.

[Author]

Messages