abscess?

Question
Hi, I have an angora rabbit. I was just trimming her and accidentally cut her near her anus. As I was cleaning out this  cut I noticed that the area was swollen (seemingly from before) and there was what looked to be a cut with hard crust (puss?) around it and dark fluid like substance in it. In general she has plenty of energy and it does not seem to bother her but I am worried that since it is in such a "critical area" it could be causing more problems than I think it might. I usually trim her once a month and groomer her every other week and I did not notice this last time I trimmed her...but it might have been there. Her stools seem fine but a little soft and smaller than usual. Should I schedule a vet visit?

Answer
Dear Allison,

If you saw what looked like pus, and there is inflammation in the area, I would not leave anything to chance.  Please find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

and ask about a culture and sensitivity test, if the abscess is extensive, and not just something that can be treated with superficial flushing and debridement:

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

I hope your bunny will be fine soon.  But I'd get her to the vet to be extra sure, since--as you say--this is such a delicate area.

Take care,
Dana