Scab?

Question
Hi, I have a Dwarf Himalayan bunny who is about 10 years old. He has been more or less healthy but in the past year he got a strange lump on his cheek which I found out later to be an abscess. It went away after it burst and I cleaned it. However, it returned and this time it has grown black and hard like a scab. I'm not sure if it is a scab but it seems to spread gradually over the swollen area. He seems fine though, and still hops around and plays as usual. I plan on taking him to the vet but it bothers me since I've had him for so long and never experienced anything serious looking like this. Help?

Answer
Dear Nancy,

I'm glad you're taking him to a vet, but be sure it's a vet who is very experienced with rabbit medicine, and especially with dental problems.  In a rabbit this age, a facial abscess is often due to a molar or incisor root infection, and this may need special treatment.  Please read:

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

and

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

and find a good vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Hope this helps.

Dana