lumps around hind quarters

Question
I'm worried about Dennis my 4 year old neutered male New Zealand Red. He is drinking and eating just fine but not quite himself, he seems a bit tired. I noticed three lumps under his skin today. I think these must have come up quickly during the last week as I handle him a lot and hadn't noticed them before, but it is hard to tell because his fur is so thick. The lumps move with the skin and the skin is not scaly and from what I can see it is not red. He doesn't seem bothered by these lumps. The largest feels about the size of a red kidney bean. He had and survived the nodular form of myxomatosis about 18 months ago, but suffered with necrotic material where one of the myxi nodules formed about 6 months after that. He's also has an abcess on his toe since then... all successfully treated by a marvellous vet.

I was wondering if you thought these lumps might be one of the peculiar after effects of the myxomatosis, or tumors of some kind. We are off to see the vet tomorrow but Dennis's usual vet has recently left the practice. I trusted his opinion as he was an expert with rabbits. I hope Dennis doesn't have cancer. He has been through so much in the last year or so. As you are an expert, I wondered if you could give me any reassurance, or a clue as to what the lumps might be.  

Answer
Dear Barbara,

I wish I could tell you that I was sure the lumps were nothing serious, but I can't do that without knowing what they are.  They could be fibromas, they could be small abscesses, they could be nodules from the myxi, or they could be cancer.  But if they are moving with the skin, they are *most* likely not something life-threatening.

I hope your new vet will be as good as the one who left.  Isn't it always the way that when you find a good one...pouf! They're gone!  :(

If you're concerned about his lethargy, ask the vet to do bloodwork to be sure all systems are go, and also have a look at his teeth and a listen to his heart, lungs, and intestines.  A good, overall wellness check will do a lot to set your mind at ease.

I hope he'll be well for many years to come!

Dana