sore on shoulder bone

Question
QUESTION: Hi Dana, my bunny, Queen, has a sore on her right shoulder bone. It started out very small, but she has messed with it so much that now it has become a penny-sized black scab that has some very sensitive skin surrounding it. I know that scab is dried blood, as I can see where the scab pulls at the surrounding skin and causes new blood to seep.
   How can I get her to stop "worrying" that spot? I have begun treating it with triple antibiotic ointment. Should I try to soften the scab so it doesn't pull at the surrounding skin? I'm thinking that maybe if the scab was gone it wouldn't irritate her as much and I could continue to treat her with the ointment.
  She is currently on Baytril and an antihistamine for an upper respiratory infection.
         thankz, Ellen

ANSWER: Dear Ellen,

Has your rabbit-savvy vet had a look at the lesion?  If she's worrying at it, then it's itching or sore, and the vet should have a look to be sure that you're treating it correctly.  If it's due to a fungal infection or mites, then antibiotic ointment won't help.

First step is to find out what the sore *is*, and then the appropriate treatment can be prescribed.  You can find a rabbit-savvy vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Hope this helps.

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Dana, thank you so much for your response....it made me trust my instincts, that the sore seemed to have a life of it's own, that it seemed to be "breathing". It turned out to be a Bot Fly maggot that was living underneath her skin. When I called the vet and told them I suspected botfly, they told me that was rare, but to bring her in. Well, turns out I was correct..and when I asked them to check out a strange spot on her chest, too, they removed the second (!) one.
  She is doing well now...the warbles tumor looks like it will come off soon and I know how relieved I am to have those awful worms out of her! Creepy stuff!
   I am established with a vet where I live now...she is not necessarily a "rabbit vet" per se, but along with my research and vigilance, I feel fairly secure, as she has other rabbit patients.
   Thank you so much, Dana, for your time and dedication to the well-being of our family lagomorphs!
         yerz, Ellen  

Answer
Dear Ellen,

Ew!  If you'd mentioned that the lesion was moving, I would have suggested that it might be a botfly.  But you have great instincts!  I'm glad you have a vet who is willing to work with you, and I'm sure this will make her even more likely to trust your judgment about your bunny's ills.

I'm so glad you found out the source of the problem and had it treated.  Botflies!  Gross!  So good to be gone!

Congratulations, Sherlock Mom!

:)

Dana