Sherry's abcess broke open!! What should I do?

[cmh9023]

Only about 1/2 hour ago I wrote to see if it was possible that Sherry's abcess could break open because it was getting bigger and I just had this feeling because she wasn't acting quite right. Well, I just went to check on her and it has broken open!!! It smells SOO bad...the whole room smells horrible. It's oozy and thick.

Should I take her to the emergency vet to get it washed out and disinfected? They aren't great rabbit vets but since this is an open wound, should I take her? My poor little girl.

 

[seniorcats]

I would if she were my bunny. At least they can clean it and get her on some antibiotic. If they aren't really rabbit savvy, they may have an emergency # to call your vet at home. and get a consultation about drugs and treatment

 

[ellissian]

I would take her too, for ABs and to get the wound flushed. Maybe they can show you how to flush the wound too while you there. I know abcesses need flushing regulary until it has healedfor a guinea pig so I'm assuming it's the same for rabbits.

 

[cmh9023]

I'm on my way!

 

[JimD]

Godspeed!!

ray:

 

[ellissian]

Good Luck!

 

[naturestee]

ray:

 

[JadeIcing]

ray:

 

[Maureen Las]

I just read this...how is she, Cara?

 

[Haley]

Oh My gosh! Ive never heard of one breaking open. Well, I guess I have but not one in the mouth area. I hope she's ok. Maybe this will make surgery easier. As about injectible antibiotics if you havent already, they are much stronger and target the anaerobic bacteria, which baytril wont.

Gosh I didnt see this coming. Im so sorry. I'll pray for your little one.

Haley

 

[Maureen Las]

It sure doesn't sound like a typical abscess to me..maybe it is better that it broke open..maybe it will be easier to treat.

 

[cmh9023]

Hi everyone,

Four hours later and we're finally home! The emergency clinic was really busy and Sherry's problem was pretty low on the immediate emergency list (thankfully!). She was a very popular little patient. I think they found her to be a nice change of pace between all the enormous dogs that were there

I think this actually may have been for the best. I think she'll be more comfortable between now and Tuesday. They were able to shave off the fur in that area, expel the nasty goo, and clean it up real well. This morning the lump was the size of a golf ball, now its gone. Her little head isn't lopsided anymore . She's very active now and was happy to see Button.

I haven't read all the abcess articles yet, but it sounds like following the surgery injectible bicillin is the best option. Is that right? My vet asked me if I'd be able to do that and I said no, however, if that's the best thing I guess I've got to be a grown-up and learn to do it. If anyone can suggest a drug therapy that would be good to try before surgery, please let me know.

Ok... now not to be too gross, but.....that goo is the worst smell I have ever smelled in my LIFE!!! Has anyone else ever experienced this unpleasantness? Or does Sherry have the world's nastiest abcess?? I'm very sensitive to smells and this nearly had me fainting. It's still kind of stuck in my nose. Anyway...enough of that.

Sherry says thanks to everyone who sent her good wishes!

 

[Haley]

So glad shes ok!

Yeah, Ive heard the pus from these abscesses smells just awful.Basil and Max'shad never opened up so I never had to smell it.

I would go ahead with the Bicillin and check into Zithromax as well when you speak to your vet. If they cant get all of it out you definitely want to use antibiotic therapy. Definitely read those articles in the resource center, they were soo much help to me.

The injections arent that difficult once you learn how. Have your vet show you, its very easy. You just pull up the skin inbetween the shoulders to make a tent, then insert the needle into the middle/base area. Once you do it a few times you get the hang of it.

And if you do go with Bicillin, definitely check TSC. Its a lot cheaper that way.

 

[JimD]

I'm so glad things worked out.

Sherry's probably a lot more comfortable now.

~Jim

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

So glad! No, I can't imagine that smell, ugh, I bet it was bad, an infection of that status? I know it was bad.

Keep us posted.

 

[naturestee]

I'm so glad she's ok! I haven't had the joy of smelling the stuff, but I have seen it when Tank's abscess was lanced. Ew.

I haven't had to do injections, but I think Julie has. JadeIcing took a video of subq injections on her bun Ringo:





And from what I've heard about Zithromax, it sounds like a good choice of antibiotic. You could also ask about Tramadol as a pain killer- ra775 likes that better than Metacam. She'll probably be pretty sore after the surgery.

 

[Flashy]

I'm glad your bun is doing ok. I bet that was really scary for you both.

Keep us updated, and hang in there.

 

[Bunnicula]

cmh9023 wrote:

I haven't read all the abcess articles yet, but it sounds like following the surgery injectible bicillin is the best option. Is that right? My vet asked me if I'd be able to do that and I said no, however, if that's the best thing I guess I've got to be a grown-up and learn to do it.

You'll be able to do it. I felt similarly when one of our bunnies had a huge mass removed from his neck (due to pasteurella). The vet left a drain in it and I had to clean rinse and clean the gaping hole every day until it healed. I was scared that I would not do it right...and as Stewart's condition improved he became a bit more challenging to handle...but it all worked out. It took time, patience, and lots of deep breathing. But when you love your bunnies you can make yourself do anything.

Keep us posted on Sherry's progress.

-Mary Ellen

 

[ra7751]

Hi,

The smell is awful isn't it? Every bacteria has a certain odor....very unscientific but some of us can almost identify the bacteria by it's odor....kinda gross.

While a rupturing abscess is painful....in the long run, it might be for the best. The pressure is relieved and it can drain. We have never had surgery on any abscess here....and we have had many....and another is on the way from Gainesville Rabbit Rescue in Florida. I have been treating with both Procaine and Zithromax for a very long time. I think some of the top vets are now using that combination. Zithromax can be suspended into a liquid (quite pleasant tasting as I just had a round myself) or the powder can be mixed by you in a liquid or mixed into a piece of banana. I prefer the powder socan make it up as I need to since there is a very short shelf life after mixing. An injectable form of Zithromax has recently been approved for use in humans...and looking at the technical info, it seems to be very stable in most suspension agents which should work well for us rabbit people. The procaine (bicillin) should be buffered. I trust the vet informed you this drug is safe only when injected. It also really stings going in. I generally use a large 60ml syringe with a 21g butterfly (winged) catheter with a 12" tube. This allows several good things to happen. Instead of using a stiff syringe....where if the animal jumps it may rip open the skim....the flexible cather allows quite a bit of "wiggle room" so the needle won't damage the skin if there is sudden movement. You can also mix the drug with Lactated Ringers. Most likely your rabbit should be getting fluids anyway...and this is a "2 for 1" special. The LRS buffers the sting of the drug and the rabbits gets needed hydration. One needle stick does two treatments.

And slightly off topic..but not really....is being able to administer injections. I never thought I could do that. But now I prefer to do a "stick". Being able to preform injections will allow you to administer fluids...usually sub-q (IV is sometimes challenging on an unsedated rabbit) and that can buy valuable time in an emergency. Certain medications, such as penicillin, are safe only when injected. Some meds, like Baytril, are much more effective when injected. With Baytril, we have had times when oral didn't work but injected did. And by injecting, you know the proper dosing is there, no spitting out and less stress on the rabbit. I would hope everyone would consider asking your doctor for training on administering injections.

Randy

 

[JimD]

I'm wondering if the vet might opt not to do the surgery, and go the routeof drug therapy.... now that it's open and drained?

~Jim