growth on bunnies chin

Question
My daughters pet bunny has a lump on its chin. It started off the size of a lg grape.  We took him to the vet who did not give a diagnosis.  Said we could have him put under but he may not be able to do any thing about it.  And it was very expensive.  We did not do the surgery.  It has been 3 or so months and the growth has grown to almost the size of a plum and has been a firm mass. He is still eating drinking pooping,and letting my daughter hold him, and seems happy.  We had to move his food to a bigger bowl so that his head will fit in.  Should we try the vet again? or does it sound as though this can not be treated.  The previous vet only did a physical exam.  What do you think?

Answer
Hi Patty,

I think you need to go to a good rabbit vet as soon as possible.  You didn't get a diagnosis from the first one.  You need to know what it is so that you then know what options are there to decide on.  

To find a good rabbit vet near you (not all are) go to:

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

and find a House Rabbit Society recommended vet near you.

If you cannot find one on the list, call up local rabbit rescue groups and animal shelters that take rabbits, and ask who they would go to if they had a rabbit that needed surgery.

It probably is something that needs to be dealt with as it is getting bigger.  If it is an abscess (pus) you don't want it getting bigger or spreading through his body.  If it is cancer it may be localized and you can get it out now while it's in that area.

Rabbit surgeries are not much more expensive than dogs and cats, they are comparable.  Vets often will set up payment plans for folks because they do not want to deny needed care to animals just because a person cannot pay all at once - they are animal lovers too.

It sounds like this hasn't depressed your bunny, that he's trucking along just fine and happy.  So he has not given up on life yet.  I would say don't give up on him as well, and get him in to a vet who can diagnose what it is, and give you options as to what to do.  Don't give up on him.

Lastly, there is a pet insurance company out there that offers insurance for rabbits.  $10 a month.  I would check into it.  VPI Pet Insurance.  They are on the internet.

Lee