Bunny rabbit

Question
I just got my bunny 2 days ago at a farm...yesterday I noticed that he has a lump on his stomach, about the size of a quarter. He's only 6 weeks old. Could it be from his umbilibal cord healing. If so is it suppose to be a hard lump? Any suggestions?            Thank you

Answer
Dear Nicole,

A quarter-sized, hard lump isn't normal for a baby rabbit.  And at six weeks of age, he is too young to be weaned. Please read this immediately:

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

and if you see *any* sign of runny stool/diarrhea, you must get him to the vet without delay.  Diarrhea can kill a baby rabbit within hours.  You can find a good vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

I would make an appointment to see a good vet now, to check the lump.  It could be a hernia, or it could be an abscess (not likely at this tender age, but certainly not impossible), and either one must be treated ASAP. But a lump that size is NOT his umbilicus.

Just as a caution:  If you return him to the farm, he will be history.  :(  Breeders do not care about rabbits with "imperfections," and his lump may well have been the reason he was sold to you.  (It wouldn't be the first time that a breeder sold his/her "culls"--but usually they just kill them.  Can you tell I'm not fond of breeders?)

I hope this helps. Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana