Abscesses in my bunny

[Lefteris]

Hello all.

My Thumper have abcesses for around 2 months now on its paws. I visit a vet that knows about rabbits (?) for a month now. The first time the vet just opened the  abcesses and squeezed the pus out of the paws. I used baytril oral for 15 days and did some washes with bedandine. Although very soon the abcesses came back and i visited the vet again. This time the vet did a sedative injection on Thumper so she can dig more the abcesses and remove all the pus. I got Thumper home and im gave 15 more days baytril.

Today is the last day on baytril and the abcesses all these days come up with more pus. I squeeze as much as i can but there is always some in the wound that dont get out even as much as i try.

Im starting to think that this doctor isnt good enough? I read a few things on web that Baytril isnt effective on abcesses.A whole month of Baytril and the abcesses keep coming. My bunny can move a lot better than the firsts days. Although it doesnt move a lot. Also she has lost a weight.I read about septrin or some injections.

What i should do ? Any help is recommended , im very sad seeing my rabbit like this. She was a very healthy and happy bunny before this 

[jerseygirl]

I read a few things on web that Baytril isnt effective on abcesses.A whole month of Baytril and the abcesses keep coming. My bunny can move a lot better than the firsts days. Although it doesnt move a lot. Also she has lost a weight.I read about septrin or some injections.

Thats what I have read also. It really needs to be used along with another antibiotic, preferably and injectable one. At this point, it would be worth getting a culture and sensitivity test done to see what bacteria is present and find the appropriate antibiotic. Its best to get a sample from the wall of the abscess (they form a capsule) rather then the pus in the centre.

Is the abscess on the base of her paw or the top?

[Lefteris]

A the base of the paws.
Worth trying using Septrin now that the Baytril treatment is over?

[jerseygirl]

Oral septrin?

It may be worth her going on a pain relief med like meloxicam. It’s also an anti-inflammatory.

Edit to add: What’s her appetite been like? 

[jerseygirl]

The septrin might be worth starting on..
If you do decide to have a sample taken and tested, at least she would have some sort of antibiotic cover while waiting for the results.

[Lefteris]

Yes oral septrin.
I cound try a pain relief , cause the last days eats less than usual and im worried she is in pain.
Meloxicam i see its only in tab or injection ? I prefer oral like baytril

[jerseygirl]

Oh good, you mentioned her eating. I just added question about that to my other post but hadn;t seen you had posted again.

Definitely pain relief would be beneficial. Meloxicam comes in injectable, tablet or oral liquid form. Most times rabbit owners are given the liquid one to take home. My vet prescribes the dog strength one which is 1.5mg/ml. Rabbits can tolerate higher doses then dogs and cats and they metabolise it faster.
It can affect their appetite though – so that is something to watch for. There are alternatives to meloxicam but that is most commonly prescribed.

Is it her front paws? Is there more then one abscess?

[Lefteris]

So i can try either septrin or Meloxicam ?
I’ll try recommend these options to my vet and see whats best

[Bam]

No, you must give the Septin, that’s antibiotics that will kill bacteria. Meloxicam is a painkiller that also helps against inflammation, but not against bacteria.

[Lefteris]

Ah both of them ok.
Can someone plz tell me the dosages for both meds ? My bunny is 1.5 kg and was getting 1,5ml Baytril

[jerseygirl]

Meloxicam absolutely, and make sure the vet is up to date with current doses for rabbits. Septrin would have to be your vets decision. It is an antibiotic that is often tried after baytril. But I personally don’t think it would be enough.

What kind of flooring are you using in her habitat? I think perhaps putting multiple bowls of food, hay and water around might get her eating if she doesn’t have to hop too far.

[jerseygirl]

Posted By Lefteris on 4/15/2017 8:16 AM

Ah both of them ok.
Can someone plz tell me the dosages for both meds ? My bunny is 1.5 kg and was getting 1,5ml Baytril

The medication are prescription only and needs to be worked out by a vet. There are different strengths available which would change the dosage required. 

[Lefteris]

I have wood shavings . Its the only that tolerates
As for the food and hay there is plenty close to her

Dont you know the dosages ?. Ill ask my vet too but im not sure she will gonna help. And thinking until going to other vet start a therapy of Septrin and Meloxicam

[jerseygirl]

I could find a range of doses just online and they’ll vary widely. A vet has access to current medicating guides for small animals.
I will link this page on meloxicam as it can be confusing with the way it can come with a syringe with an animals weight on it, or prescribed in mls. It indicates different dosage ranges (from 3 different sources) at the bottom of the page.
http://vgr1.com/metacam/

There may be reasons why a vet will not prescribe it (due to the individual animal) and opt for an alternative pain med. 

[jerseygirl]

Can you put some mats like memory foam bath mats in with her to rest on? The shavings might irritate the wounds.

[Lefteris]

Here is Thumper and the abcesses 

[jerseygirl]

Ouch. They might have to wrap her feet to give added protection.

[Lefteris]

You think she can be healthy again ? Im worried

[Lefteris]

Talked with my vet
She told me that there is no other antibiotic to use and we will try some injections for 5-6 days. How im gonna do the injections ? Sounds difficult

[jerseygirl]

Treating abscesses and sore hocks can take a long time but they can get better! I hope you can find a vet you are happy with. Maybe if you visit again with the one you were seeing and they’ll work with you for a better treatment plan?

Are you able to get good, clean straw? You could put a really thick layer of that over the shavings and it will cushion her feet. Most of the pee and poo will drop through to the bottom.

Here’s more about sore hocks in case you haven’t read it before-
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Mechanical/Pod/Podo.htm
http://rabbit.org/treating-sore-hocks/

[jerseygirl]

Posted By Lefteris on 4/15/2017 10:06 AM

Talked with my vet
She told me that there is no other antibiotic to use and we will try some injections for 5-6 days. How im gonna do the injections ? Sounds difficult

What injections are they?  Does the vet live far from you. When my rabbit was having a lot of injections and I had trouble giving them, I was able to take him in each time and a nurse did it in the waiting room. 

[Lefteris]

Didnt tell me what , but i guess its good that i will stop baytril and start injections.
I can consider this. Its a bit far but it may be better . Dont know if i can do the injections

[Lefteris]

Posted By jerseygirl on 4/15/2017 10:17 AM
Treating abscesses and sore hocks can take a long time but they can get better! I hope you can find a vet you are happy with. Maybe if you visit again with the one you were seeing and they’ll work with you for a better treatment plan?

Are you able to get good, clean straw? You could put a really thick layer of that over the shavings and it will cushion her feet. Most of the pee and poo will drop through to the bottom.

Here’s more about sore hocks in case you haven’t read it before-
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Mechanical/Pod/Podo.htm
http://rabbit.org/treating-sore-hocks/

Thank you so much. I have read so much all these days that im going crazy

I mostly worry that is losing weight. If that continue?

[Lefteris]

Was checking some other options for litter , recommendations are welcome

This one is Bunny Bed O Linum
https://www.pet4u.gr/bunny-bed-o-linum.html

or

Oxbow Pure Comfort Natural
[url]https://www.pet4u.gr/pure-comfort-natural-8.2l.html[/url]

Website is in Greek but you can see the products

[jerseygirl]

The paper bedding might be useful if it’s softer. I couldnt tell what the first one in the links was made from. Is Straw easy to find? It would be cheaper and you can use large amounts to provide a nice soft place for her feet.

By the way, the Medirabbit site (which i shared a link to before) is available in multiple languages. http://www.medirabbit.com/HE/index_he.htm
But I know what you mean about reading so much! The internet can be great but there is also SO MUCH differing information out there. It can send one cross-eyed!

[Sam]

When my old rabbit, Sally, was suffering from skin irritation on her bum and hocks, we switched over to a layer of wood stove pellets on the bottom of her cage, covered by a layer of carefresh until the skin healed up. I would have kept her on the carefree herself permanently, but it was just too expensive and she peed a LOT (e. Cuniculi positive, though once we got that under control she wasn’t urinating quite as much as before… she also refused to litter train!).

My only concern with covering the abscess with a bandage is you can create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow- dark and moist- and that looks like a fairly deep abscess. If you do end up having to wrap it to prevent chafing and shavings, poo, etc from getting into the pocket, I recommend using a very light, breathable material such as gauze, and changing the bandage very frequently, at least twice a day if you can manage. When we treat hoof abscesses for the horses, we soak them in epsom salt, pat the area dry, apply Betadine (or something similar), and we also apply icthamol which helps to draw out the pus, but I’m not sure if that’s safe for rabbits plus it stinks and is very sticky and messy, and then we wrap the foot in a diaper and vet wrap, though like I said, I would recommend a more breathable bandage like gauze.

Antibiotics and pain meds are also super super important, more important than wrapping it, and it might benefit you to get a second opinion from a different vet. Not knocking the vet you currently have, but they may just not be as rabbit abscess savvy- bunny med is a pretty specific unit of vet med as in school we primarily focus on cats, dogs, livestock, and horses, and while we do learn about exotics, pocket pets, wildlife, reptiles, birds, etc., you generally specialize in these species in your clinical rotations and post-graduation if any of those are your species of interest.

[Rookie]

I made a video of me having to give penicillin injections to my bun for his tooth abscess. Hope it helps. Not as hard as it seems.

https://youtu.be/psaW0nNpfa8

[BinkyBunny]

I noticed you posted a Greek Link and so I am thinking you are in Greece.  I know you were concerned about whether your vet was rabbit-savvy enough.  Sounds like yours is doing their best to help, but just in case you want other resources, maybe these will be helpful: 

https://www.facebook.com/bunniesofgreecepage/

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/showthread.php?t=62323

[Lefteris]

Thanks as i see in the article my vet is the first on the list! Thats good

[Lefteris]

Back from the new vet.
Many bad news sadly
Thumper may have osteomyelitis on the front paws. Also vet is very worried about the dislocation at the front paw and the missing bone (?). She even told me that we may have to amortize the paw If the damage is very big and cant be fixed.
Except these. Thumper one eye is more popped out than the other. Vet is thinking that a root from a tooth may causing it or it may even has a pus behind. The inner teeth also are a bit overgrown and that is causing pain.
So cause there are many problems with Thumper and its in very bad condition we have to do some things in order to be alive otherwise she will die very soon
On Friday we have an appointment for :
Anaesthesea
Remove as much pus as possible from the paws
X-rays to see the extent of the problem at paws and the roots of teeths , also toss the inside teeth so not to cause pain when eating
Culture of the pus so to find the right antibiotic

Vet said Thumper was in much pain all this time and the previous vet made a lot of mistakes and damages to Thumper. Im very sad about this but i couldnt know. If i have been to this vet from the begining Thumper would have been fine now
She is optimistic, though its very difficult and we are not sure IF she can be healthy 100% again.

Vet gave me Meloxicam 0.5ml every 24h , SSD cream to apply on the abscesses after i have cleaned the skin with saline every 12h and TMPS oral antibiotic every 12h .

[vanessa]

I’m glad she is on Meloxicam. It works very well. How much does she weigh? It sounds like this vet has a good plan of action. I also have frustration over not getting good vet care and swapping vets. Sometimes you have to do your own research and tell the vet what you want, and switch vets if you think you aren’t getting what is best for your bunny. I would be more confident with this vet. Sounds like the right track. I have read on this forum over and over about regular vets who see rabbits, exotic vets who see rabbits, and rabbit savvy exotic vets. After experiencing the frustration you are, I’ have been surprised to see how different each rabbit vet can be. It’s almost alarming.
Thumper’s appetite will improve once the pain meds kick in, but the tooth problem does need to be dealt with too, or this will affect her food intake.
I’m sorry to hear about her diagnosis.

[Lefteris]

Thumper is 1.5kg
With meloxicam i have seen difference. She seems more ”happy” and move a bit more than she used to.

[Muchelle]

I’m so sorry to read about poor Thumper. Let’s hope this new vet can fix the problems, especially the dental part of it!
Are they planning to extract the molar with the elongated root?

[Lefteris]

Dont know. Tommorow we have an appointment to have X-rays and vet will tell me what is going on exactly

[Lefteris]

Vet says that the front paw has to be amputated soon when the back feet is healthy as the feet has many fractures.

Have you ever heard of amputated paw ? You think Thumper will be able to cope with it fine ? Vet says is the best we can do

[vanessa]

Im sorry to hear, it does happen that bunnies get amputated limbs. They cor just fine. The important part will b keeping the surgery site clean while it heals, so it doesnt get infected.

[Lefteris]

Its been a long time since i last wrote an update.
Thumper is still alive.
Though the last 2-3 months cant walk at all and is layed down. She still can eat her food and hay in front of her.
I also pass a lot of time with her , peting her and having her in my arms feeding her some of her fav foods,give her water every few hours and giving the meds.
Many times i am thinking if i should euthanasize her . Many ppl that see her say that is not right and i should do it.
Though Thumper seem to enjoy her time with me . she licks me , eats a lot ,
she is not in pain for sure with the pain med she is on.
So i am a bit confused. I want to do the right for her and not just keep her in life cause i love her so much.
An opinions will be appreciated

[Bam]

I’m very sorry that Thumper can’t walk at all. Was her foot amputated?

It’s of course very difficult to have an opinion on what you should do. You know her best. Is she enjoying life, you think? Have you consulted with her vet recently?

[Sirius&Luna]

I read your thread, and it’s clear you’ve done everything possible to help her.

What are her current problems? Does she still have the abcesses in her feet and overgrown teeth? Overgrown teeth should be easy to solve.

In general, with euthanization, I’m afraid that it’s really only something you and your vet can decide.

If you feel like she is happy, eating, not in pain and enjoying life, then by all means keep going! If your vet agrees that she isn’t in pain, then I wouldn’t euthanize her.

If your vet does think shes in pain, and isn’t going to get better, then perhaps it is time to start thinking about euthanizing.

It’s a very difficult decision, and I’m sorry you’re having to think about it. It’s clear how much you love her.

[Author]

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