Dwarf Bunny -dental absace-Vet wants to Euthenize

Question
Hi

I just discovered this web page Thank You in Advance for your help, i'm desparte because the Exotic Vet we are seeing for my 6 yrs olds dwarf bunny (lillte over a year old) Twinkle is leaning me to put him down,(euthenized) because I recently saw him while giving himself a bath he is all white the bottom of his neck was pink i thought he lost fur, he also has on the right side of his face a little swelling and yellow discharge on his white fur and it is kind of stinky smelling anyhow the vet said he has developed an abces in his jaw and she can do surgery remove most of his teeth , but he would problably have to come back for this every 6 weeks to clean out his gums ,she est this to be over $500.00 , i'm torn my daughters love this bunny we love him and he has had a prob a few month back where he stopped eating and was not pooping he got hospitalized for this and and IV he sprung back from this as was fine till just a few days ago..I really do not want to kill him but i can not afford this and i do not want him to suffer like she has told me..and this right before Christmas we are torn..I was wondering if he could just get the extration and some medicine and maybe cut his teeth cut...he is eating a few pellets here and there.she said she doubts he will make it threw xmas
Can you help me ?  
Thank You for your advice and Expert Opinion...

Answer
Dear Dennis,

Without seeing the bunny, I cannot even begin to know how serious the condition is.  If your vet is very experienced with rabbits, then she may be right:  it will cost a lot of money to put things right.  Antibiotics are going to be needed, and for this, a culture and sensitivity test will be the wisest option.  Please read:

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

and if you think your vet may be painting too much gloom and doom, you can always try to get a second opinion from another exotics vet who is very experienced with rabbits.  You may be able to find one here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Whatever happens, it is likely to cost money.  I hope you will find a way to give your bunny proper veterinary treatment, because even though the bunny is eating well and seems okay, the condition is extremely painful.  If you really are not willing or able to spend the money, then the kindest thing to do is to not let him suffer.

I am sorry.  But please don't let the "holiday" time of year make you wait to make a decision.  The person who is most central here is not you or your children:  it is the rabbit who is suffering and ill.  You must either make the commitment to spend the money to try to heal him, or make that other very difficult decision.

I know you will do the right thing, and do it without delay.

I hope you will be able to get him the medication and on the road to recovery.  If your children love the bunny as much as you say, perhaps they would be willing to forgo some of their Christmas treats in order to save their friends life.  But that decision will be up to you and the family.

I hope this helps.

Dana