Bunner's chin Abscess

[FuzzyHydralisk]

So, this is the reason I've signed up for this site. My old rabbit, Bunner, has been suffering from a recurring abscess on his chin - I think it's from tooth problems. He had it a few months ago, and we got it cleared up, but it came back about a week ago. I took him to the vet, but we can't remove the abscess through surgery, as he's about 13 years old, too old to go under. So we've been keeping it open and flushing it for the past few days. Is there anything else I can do for him? It's always a bit difficult as he's got cataracts on both his eyes.

 

[FuzzyHydralisk]

Sorry, forgot to fill this out:

- Location Lump on chin

- Description (Breed, color., weight) Supposed to be a netherland dwarf, was from a pet store. COlor is the same as a wild rabbit. Exact weight unknown, seems underweight. Ribs easily felt, spine more prominent than usual

- Age About 13-14 years.

- spayed/neutered? No

- Notes on Fecal and Urinary Output
- are the bunny's poops and pees normal? Normal color/texture
- When did they last use their litterbox? Unknown - bowel movements m ore or less normal
- Any unusual behavior?Cannot enter litterbox due to vision problems, just goes in the corner

- Medical History -- has s/he been to the vet or been sick before? Has cateracts in both eyes, had a tumor on his chin, which was easily removed (It was dangling by a strip of skin - hard to describe)
HIs head also curls towards his side,eye with the thick cateract towards his body, i think he's trying to see out his good eye

- Diet - what does your bunny eat? Rabbit food from pet store, in a blue and yellow package
- when and what did s/he eat last? is eating as i type this

- movement - any unusual movements? Is s/he hopping normally? lethargic, slow hopping, i attributed to age

- are there any plants, chocolate or other substances within reach? no

- has the rabbit been outdoors? not for several years, he's an indoor rabbit

 

[ra7751]

I treat a lot of abscesses. I have never had surgery performedon one. In most cases, it isn't necessary...just adds expense and pain.

I use a combination of Penicillin (safe only as an injectable) and Zithromax. This is a powerful combination of drugs that can attack the core of the abscess. My concern is that the teeth are moving due to age and that might complicate things a bit. I have an entire protocol.....antibiotics, pain management and husbandry support to deal with an abscess.

I would be glad to consult with your vet regarding non-surgical treatment if you would like and your vet will agree (I am not a vet).

Randy

 

[FuzzyHydralisk]

Zithromax? Is that avalible in canada? If so, where would i get it? For now, my mom is helping. She's a peopledoctor, and for now we're just using polysporin.

It's also nice to know I won't have to resort to surgery.

 

[Flashy]

I think those drugs are available only on prescription from a vet, so it is worth seeing one to ensure that the dosage is right.

Also, what pain meds is he on? If nothing then he will definitely need something from the vets too.

 

[MagnoliaDee]

I just want to say that I'm very sorry the abcess has come back. I sure hope you can get him fixed up soon!!!

 

[FuzzyHydralisk]

He's not on any pain meds now. I haven't seen any signs of pain, but I'm not an expert in rabbit behavior. I suppose I should get the poor rabbit some. I'm going to take him to the vet some time tonight or tommorow, hopefully.

 

[Flashy]

Definitely the sooner the better.

Rabbits are a prey species so they hide their pain very well, so he is probably in pain but not showing it. I can't imagine that it would be painfree if I had an abscess like this, and that's how I base a bunnies pain on. Definitely get some pain meds

Good luck at the vets!

 

[FuzzyHydralisk]

His abscess is shrunken down a bit today, not as swollen as yesterday.

I've got some photos here (You can click them for full size

Full Body Shot


Portrait


He curls his head like this almost all the time. It's usually even closer to his side Should I worry?


His abscess, here circled in red. It was MUCH larger yesterday.

 

[FuzzyHydralisk]

Are there any people painkillers we can give to bunner? I wouldn't want to try anything without someone confirming it's okay, but I don't want him to be in pain until we can get him to the vet.

 

[tonyshuman]

You can give ibuprofen or aspirin, I think ibuprofen would be better. It can be kind of hard on the stomach, so a vet's painkillers are a lot better. He has to be well-hydrated as well.
http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=49175&forum_id=16

 

[FuzzyHydralisk]

I think we have ibuprofien, I'll go with a little bit of that for today. Just to keep him confortable until we get him to the vet.

No ibuprofien. We'll take him to the vet soon.

 

[Flashy]

Let us know how he got on at the vet.

 

[Sweetie]

I hope that Bunner is going to be okay!

 

[FuzzyHydralisk]

Okay, we had to go out for a trip, the abscess is back and very firm. We can't get anymore pus out of it. Mum's against vet visits saying he's too old and there's nothing the vet will be able to do ):

the good news is we do now have some zithromax

 

[Pipp]

Honestly, I think the best thing is a very long regiment of injected penicillin along with an oral antibiotic. My vet keeps my abscess guys on injections every two days along with oral ChlorPalm every 12 hours (with a pro-biotic given three hours later), all for three months. No surgery. I think this is treatable. (And it won't be invasive so if it doesn't work he won't spend his last days in utter misery).


sas ray:

 

[FuzzyHydralisk]

Where can we get the penecillin though? i'm in canada and a couple of medicines are formulated differently or just not avalible

 

[Pipp]

Injected penicillin is easy to get, even feed stores carry it. I'm in Vancouver. I'll try and get the exact name and dosage my vet uses and get back to you.


sas ray:

 

[TinysMom]

We will need his weight to use this site..

http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rx/drugcalc.html

 

[FuzzyHydralisk]

I can't find zithromax on that calculator. What other names could it go by?