Jazmin - French Lop with facial lumps

Question
Hello Dana,

I have six years experience with French Lops having been blessed with homing 6 of them during this time.

My latest adoptee is a (just under) 2 year old 6.3kg female who has suddenly developed a series of lumps around her eyes, nose and mouth.  It began showing last weekend and I immediately took her to my vet on the Monday (I have great faith in him however want to see if I can find out more).   

He didn't think that she required any treatment at that time as there were no signs of infection present.  (There's no puss coming from these lumps nor oozing from the eyes etc). I have also checked her genitals for unusual lumps but all seems to be fine. He told me just to moniter her.  

2 days on I have noticed the facial lumps are increasing in size and whereas were on her eyes only last Monday are now on her nose and mouth and I could hear it affecting her breathing very slightly.  Apart from this she appears well, is eating and drinking as usual and happily grooms and interacts with her bunny partner Bob.  

When I collected her from the rescue shelter in July of this year she hadn't had a myxomatosis vaccination so I got that done right away (the virus appears prevalent in this area this year).  My vet doesn't think its myxomatosis and neither do I, he thinks it's insect bites.  Anyway I have spoken to him again this morning and he's put her on a 6 day course of Baytril.

I will continue to closely monitor her and take her back to him again (as he's advised) if I feel she's not improving.  In the meantime, is this anything you've come accross before?  If you'd like me to take a picture of her face I can do so and email it to you.

Many thanks indeed.
Janice. :-)


Answer
Dear Janice,

As I read your note, my heart began to sink further and further, because from the description this really does sound like myxomatosis.  However, the good news is that if she has had a myxo vaccination, she may be able to fight this off with the antibodies she's developed since July.  Vaccinated rabbits can still come down with symptoms of the virus, but they usually do much better than unvaccinated rabbits (not surprisingly).

If the vet could find no sign of infection, then the only other thing that it does sound like (molar root abscesses) can be ruled out.

I think you're taking a wise course of action by putting her on antibiotics just to prevent secondary infection while she's in this compromised state.  If this really is myxomatosis, all you can do is give her supportive care until she fights it off.

If it is really insect bites (I have my doubts about this, but who knows?), then NSAIDs might help, but I would certainly avoid any corticosteroids, since these can cause immunosuppression.  If it really is myxomatosis, she'll need every antibody she can muster, so steroids would be strongly contraindicated for myxomatosis.

I'll send many healing vibes from across the ocean (if you're in the U.K.--if not, I'll just send them across the continent).

Please let me know how she does, if you have time.

Good luck!

Dana