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Bunny eating and health

22 10:07:09

Question
About a month ago we noticed a lump on our bunnies face so we took him to the vet. He said it was a abscess tooth. he tried to drain it and put "cuddles" on anti biotic. It didn't help and he had to sedate Cuddles and lance it. At the same time the vet removed his front teeth instead of grinding them down. I was not happy about that but he said it needed done. Well he left a drain in our bunnies face and a week later took it out. But it got infected and he had to drain the fluid out of his face again and put Cuddles on another anti biotic. But all cuddles will eat now is fresh veggies and a few pellets. We have tried to cut his hay up small so he can eat it but he still will not eat it and does not eat much pellets. All he does want to eat is veggies and he has lost over a pound in less then a week. we are afraid we are going to lose Cuddles if things do not change and we don't know what to do to help him. The vet today, told us to keep giving him his oral anti biotic and filch out the infected area 2 times a day with stuff he gave us but warned us that the weight loss and the infection is not good and Cuddles may be fighting a losing battle. He told us that infections commonly advance in bunnies and could go to his liver and elsewhere. Can you please tell us what to do to help our bunny ?

Answer
Dear Robert,

What type of antibiotic is Cuddles getting?  Certain types are just not very effective against jaw abscesses, and while this problem is often very difficult to treat, the right antibiotic can make a huge difference in some cases.  Pain manaqement is also critical in a case like this.  Metacam or Banamine are good, and if the pain is really bad, then Tramadol can be combined with either of the previous (metacam and banamine should NOT be given together).

Please read:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/culture.html

and

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/jawabscess.html

And if you feel that the vet you're seeing isn't really doing enough to help Cuddles, then check the list here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

to find a vet who can give you a second opinion, and hopefully get Cuddles on the road to recovery.  You might also try to find a vet who can sell you Critical Care, and excellent emergency "force feed" for bunnies.  Please see:

http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/vets/products/critical_care

Hope this helps.

Dana