Bunny has smallish lump/bump;outside of cheek

Question
Hello Dana.  I can't call my vet for a couple of days (he's away) but I noticed a smallish bump (perfect ball shape) on the outside of my bunny's cheek last night.  

He eats fine (hay included), acts normally otherwise, but I'm worried that it's an abscess.  It's the same colour as his fur (dark grey).  It's as if someone just put a little ball of dark grey skin on the outside of his cheek.  It's about the size of 1/2 of a woman's baby fingernail only round in shape (guessing).

I know my vet has had success with injectable penicillin for abscesses and I realize it may not be that, but I want to know if you've ever come across this type of problem.  Most info. I read has to do with a lump inside the cheek, not outside.  

You wouldn't even know it was there (hidden by fur) unless you felt it, then parted the fur.

I hope you can help with some guidance.  Thank you.

P.S. I understand if he needs injections, it could be 3x week?  How long do these go on?  My one vet charges about $51.00/wk. for 3 injections as an example.  We are in Ontario, Canada so things are more expensive.

Thanks,
Paula

Answer
Dear Paula,

If the lump moves freely with the skin, then it is better than if it's firmly attached to the underlying tissues, and might just be a little, superficial abscess.  It could be other things (e.g., tumor), so it's definitely something that should be checked by your vet.  But it's not likely an emergency.  Just an ASAP.

The vet will likely want to sample the bump to see what's in it, and if it's very superficial, the vet may be able to remove it with local anesthesia.  But that will be up to the vet; since I can't see the lesion, I can't really tell what will be necessary.

If you can get the vet to show you how to give the injections, this might save you the cost and stress of coming in for the shots so often.

Hope this helps.

Dana