rabbit chin pouch?

Question
hi. my rabbit has recently developed a pouch under her chin and i am unsure whether its food like hamsters do or whether its something more serious. thanks

Answer
Dear Gem,

If your rabbit is a young adult, she may be developing her dewlap, which is a flap of skin (and sometimes fat!) under the chin.  The dewlap should be soft and flooby to the touch, not hard.

If the lump you feel is hard, then it could be an abscess, and this should be addressed immediately by a good rabbit vet:

www.rabbit.org/vets

If it is a jaw abscess, involving the tooth roots, please read:

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

and

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

But if it's soft and floppy, then it's probably just that cute little chin pillow, her dewlap.

Hope that helps!

Dana