Facial abcess

Question
I have a two year old female rabbit who developed a facial abcess some time ago. She had a n xray when it 1st appeared which showed it is not caused by her teeth, and it was opened up and drained. She was on antibiotics (baytril) for several weeks, the vet continued to perscirbe this at each visit as there was little improvement, i was also advised to bath the wound twice daily which i did. The antibiotics was then changed to septrin which cleared the infection up, she was on this for about a month. Shortly after the septrin course was finished, the abcess reappeared, and they reccomended that the whole area be cut away, so i had this done. With in a couple of weeks its back again (which they warned me could happen). Is there anything you can suggest as further treatment, i really don't want to loose her, but don't want her to be suffering. She eats very well and is active and happy otherwise. I can keep the wound clean if it is left open but i think she would become fed up with this long term. I have heard you can have antibiotic beads sewn into the wound, do you think this may help?

Answer
Dear Eleanor,

Though some people swear by antibiotic beads, I have had nothing but bad experiences with them. They seem to serve more as a nest for infection than a cure.

But I would strongly recommend a culture and sensitivity test:

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

and perhaps a second opinion from another vet, more experienced with rabbit medicine:

www.rabbit.org/vets

It is very unusual for a completely excised abscess to return unless some contamination occurred during surgery, but it can happen.  The key is to continue the appropriate antibiotics for as long as it takes to stop the problem, and then beyond.  In some rare cases, the bunny may need to be on the meds for months, or even longer.   

I hope that's not the case for your bunny, but as long as she's eating and acting happy, she'll fight this along with your help.

Hope this helps.

Dana