Young Rabbit Tumor On Leg.

Question
My young rabbit has a tumor about the size of a nickel near the top of it's leg. It is red and looks scabbed over. I took a q-tip and cleaned it and i got a little bit of blood. The rabbit acts fine, it eats. I found a flea on it so could it be caused by a flea. I just noticed it today. The "tumor" has no fur on it and is kind of shiney.

Answer
Hi,

fleas don't cause tumors.  Cancer causes tumors.  It might also not be a tumor at all, but perhaps an abscess (pocket of infection).  All the reason to get into your good rabbit vet to have it diagnosed.

You need to get him in to your good rabbit vet right away.  They need to figure out just what you're dealing with here.  An xray can help them determine just how big it is and if it's extended into other places.  THey need to remove it, then get your rabbit on a treatment regimen based on what type of cancer it is.  Different treatments are suggested based on how aggressive it is.

Rabbit vets have a lot more experience in dealing with rabbits that have cancers.  There are a lot of different options and things they have in their arsenal of treatments.  It isn't hopeless by a long shot.  Plenty of things that can be done that will give your guy potentially years of quality of life.

Your vet may also want to consult with a vet that has more specialty in dealing with animals with cancer.  

If you need to find a good rabbit vet start here:

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

to find a House Rabbit Society recommended vet near you.

Whatever you do, don't just do nothing.  Dying from cancer that is untreated is very painful, you wouldn't wish that kind of end on your pet.