Burst abscess

[Moshimoud112]

Hi there,
My rabbit has a abscess just underneath her eye/ cheek it is quiet big and she is currently under the vet’s for it ,her vet tried to drain out the puss a couple of weeks ago but failed as the puss was to thick to drain, he then put her on a course of antibiotics for 2 weeks to see if the abscess would heal which didn’t make a difference. Her vet then wanted to see her after the course of antibiotics to discuss if surgery was needed etc so I rang up but they didn’t have an appointment till next Tuesday. Tonight the abscess has burst not sure how as I didn’t see it happen? It’s thick white puss coming out and a lot of it! I am using boiled water (cooled down) to bathe her eye and gently pressing to get the puss out. I’m not quite sure on what to do as it’s the middle of the night here in England! The puss looks like it’s coming out of a hole in the abscess but I can’t see to well as her fur is covering it, She doesn’t seem to be in any pain she’s just currently cleaning a lot as I’ve been putting water on her eye. If anyone has any suggestions or knowledge on abscesses please could you let me know!
Thank you

 

[JBun]

If you have an oral syringe or clean water squirt bottle, that can be used with sterile water, to try and flush the pus out. The pus will return daily, so the wound does need once or twice daily cleaning out (under vet instruction). Here's some info on abscess wound management.

https://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Bacterial/Absc_treat/abscess_treat.htm

Your rabbit will also likely need a rabbit safe systemic antibiotic, usually for a minimum of 4-6 weeks. Infections in rabbits can be very difficult to clear up. You'll also want to make sure your vet rules out any dental cause for the infection, as it's a common cause of facial abscesses.

https://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Dental_diseases/Treatment/Facial/abs_dental.htm

If you aren't currently seeing an experienced rabbit vet and need to, which would be my recommendation, Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital is possibly near you, or check the RWAF vet map.

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/recommended-rabbit-friendly-vets/