Tiny bump at whisker follicle (x2)

[Wick & Fable]

I noticed that the “top-most” whisker above Wick’s left and right eye (so two whiskers total) have a tiny bump where the whisker is growing from. They are both fully-grown whiskers, or at least well-developed. It sort of reminds me of an in-grown hair bump, and, me being human, I really just want to pull out the whiskers since that’s what I do with annoying in-grown hairs, but obviously I’m not doing that with Wick, haha.

I did a brief search online and it seems like this may be harmless, as long as it doesn’t grow any bigger. There’s a more scary-line of information that talks abut hair-follicle tumors (agh!)… with one paper from 1922 talking about an association between malignant tumors and rabbits with chronic syphilis infections (which Wick has; double agh!)… but before getting too tense about this, I’m posting to see what members’ experiences are. Any experiences which a small, raised bump under the skin at a whisker-follicle?

For reference, it is the size of a sewing needle pin tips (even a bit smaller). It’s the same color as his skin (light grey), with the one above his left eye being slightly redder than the other. I noticed the left one two days ago, and noticed the right one today. They are hard bumps, that I want to say are new. Whether those particular whiskers are new, I do not know. There’s no noticeable flinching or wincing when I bend the whiskers back and forth at the follicle (which I did to try and get a better look). To my knowledge, there are no other bumps anywhere else. As usual, I tried to get a photo, but it’s difficult to see the tiny bump distinguished among his black fur and grey skin.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I know exactly what you are talking about. A few of my buns had them. Bindi had pretty big ones. Elara doesn’t, however. I’m a picker and I was the same, just wanted to pluck those whiskers.

[ThorBunny]

Thor has these too! One on each side, a bit below the eyes. They are exactly as you describe, about sewing needle pin top sized.

I asked the Vet and they weren’t sure what it was. But she’s had them since we adopted her (almost 2 years now) and they haven’t grown any bigger at all.

[Wick & Fable]

Thank you both for sharing your experiences! This eases me a bit. I’ll continue to monitor.

LPT – Did they develop them, or always have them?

For those who are curious, I have been looking into the syphilis/treponema link to hair follicles, and it seems some of the infection actually flees to hair follicles to hide themselves from the medication, and one paper posits this may explain some treponema re-occurrences. I feel somewhat better that these whiskers are not near his mouth, but then again his paws could easily spread things up there. It’s been difficult reading the research in-depth, not only because I’m not familiar with immunology terminology, but also because the data comes from experimenting on rabbits… so it’s very much sad and upsetting to read.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Pinkbun]

Hi wick
I dought that yr rabbit has tumours. There either new whiskers forming or there a form of rabbit acne (A.K.A fur plugs) it’s to do with the glands on the rabbits face that secret fluid. Sometimes they can become blocked (usually when a new whisker forms) and the fluid gets built up forming a bump. It’s usually later secreted as a waxy secretion on the face which turn crusty and there harmless. Here’s an article I found of some discussion of it https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/does-my-rabbit-have-pimples.84467/

Who knew rabbits got zits? Right?

Hope I helped xox

[Wick & Fable]

Thank you Pinkbun for the link — It’s good to see other opinions and experiences.

Yes, I am doubtful that these are syphilis-hiding bacterium, but I have to hold some reservation because Wick has a history of being susceptible to…. everything. Always a surprise with him. Again, I appreciate your words, and they have helped my nerves, which keep fluctuating depending on what I am currently reading, haha.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Pinkbun]

Trust me wick I know what yr going through ! I’m the same! I be Very observant and I’d see something like a speck of dust too on the bunny and freak out over it thinking it’s Fur mites! Insane… Maybe I’m just psychotic after the fur mites incident ? (My parent didn’t believe me they when the dandruff moved and they infected me and let’s just say I’m over observant on the buns now) even if they sneezed once I’d ring the vet and tell em that me bun had snuffles!! My bun Bonnie gets I’ll all the time she’s got many issues due to negligence from her previous owner….

[Q8bunny]

It can also be a sebum plug… so just waxy build-up and harmless. The same stuff that sometimes comes out with cheek floof bunches that look like paintbrush heads

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