Lump/Puffy Rabbit throat?

Question

We have a three year old rabbit whom we adopted several weeks ago.  The owner said they thought he was a Californian Rabbit, yet he is full sized and seems small then the breed says they are.  Anyways.  When we got him he was a very playful rabbit that like to run around and play tug of war with a carrot with me.   Then I think he got a cold.  He was a little less playful and had some crust around his nose.  He seemed to recover just fine.  It has been a few weeks now and I am convinced he has a large lump or swollen throat.  It as if it is a round ball just bellow his lip, chin.  I know I could be an "overactive" bunny parent and he could be just fine, it could be his body build.  It just doesn't "feel right" to me and I am not the expert on rabbit body shapes.

Answer
Hi Helene

First if your bunny had crust around its nose it probably has an illness that may have appeared to cleared up but is most likely still in its system.  If a rabbit gets snuffles it can be caused by many different illnesses but can hide and resurface again when you least expect it.  It needs to be treated with Baytril.  

If the rabbit didn't have the lump before then you are right to be concerned.  The lack of energy, the new lump and any other symptoms all point to infection.  If I were you I would take him to a veterinarian that specializes in rabbits and have cultures of his nose and throat done.  They will also take a fecal sample and treat him for worms, mites, fleas etc.  It is always good to have a new rabbit get a check up anyway.  You probably don't know for sure the living conditions he was in and if he had never been treated for illnesses or ever been around any other sick bunnies he could have just about anything.

Californians should weigh about 8 - 10 pounds but they are used for meat and are cross bred often with other white rabbits (usually new zealands or florida white) to make meat breeds.  Honestly I don't have any idea why they cross them but that is besides the point.  I just had a point for you to ponder.  Californians have the exact same markings as Himalayan mini rex who normally only grow to be about 4 pounds but if they end up not getting the true dwarf gene they can grow to be about 6 pounds max.  

I guess your bunny is just lucky to have an "overactive" bunny parent.  Without you to care for and love him who knows where he would end up.

I wish you and your bunny well.


Pam