HELP LUMP ON EAR AT SITE OF MYXO VACCINE

Question
QUESTION: Hi please help im stressing out. We had our 9 week old baby mini lop
vaccinated against myxo last wednesday. the vet said she had to put some
of the vaccine under the skin so she put some in her ear. as she did it
she said i must be careful not to get a blood vessel - but she did and
there was blood everywhere. the bleeding stopped no problems and she
has been fine since. however when i got home today the area at the site
of the injection on her ear has swollen into a hard round lump with a
scab on top its is about 1cm diameter. it feels very hard and is warm to
touch - i am very worried it may be infected she is eating and drinking fine she flinches if i touch it so it must be sore
. i rang the emergency vet who said to keep an eye on her adn take
her if any changes - but im stressing out. is this a common
complication or more serious - please help us thanks so much emma"


ANSWER: Hi Emma

I am sure it didn't get right into the blood vessel.  When we give shots we pull back on the plunger and if it is in the blood vessel blood will fill the syringe.  This is how we give shots to people too.

The only complication you would need to worry when injecting the medicine right into the blood stream is a quick reaction and a possible over dose.  The reason they do it under the skin (sub-Q), is to slow the release.  

Your bunny is probably having a local reaction to the shot.  The lump is probably pooled blood but I am sure that it is drying up.  This can happen with any animals and even humans.  If the vet was competent he would have used a sterile technique and the probability of infection is slim at best.

They are absolutely right about keeping an eye on it.  Since she is eating and acting normal other than the pain I am sure she is fine.  If you want to put some cold compresses on the area of inflammation it certainly won't hurt.  Wrap some ice cubes in a baggie and then cover them with a very thick towel.  Hold it there as long as she will tolerate it.  The reason she flinches is because it hurts and she is afraid you are going to hurt it again.

Don't stress... It will heal up on its own.  The only reason I personally would stress is if the bunny stopped eating, drinking, pooing or acting lethargic like she had a fever.

Please never hesitate to ask me if you are concerned.  I hope your bunny feels better soon.

Pam

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks for getting back to me Pam I really appreciate it. I just found it strange that it has only swollen today and quite quickly as there was nothing there this morning adn this is a whole week after the injection - i thought a haematoma would have come up sooner?? thanks again emma

Answer
Hi Emma

Bruises (hematoma's) can come in all different shapes and sizes and at different times.  If that is in fact what it is then it is probably a seepage of more blood.  She might have also got an injury from another source, like a bite from another bunny, a bee sting, or her ear caught under something.

As long as it is not growing so large that it looks like it is going to burst and the bunny is still eating and drinking I am sure it will be fine.

If you want to use the ice regimen try 20 minutes on (if she will hold still that long) and 20 minutes off.  Do this several times and a few times a day.

I hope it gets better

Sincerely

Pam