A strange problem

Question
Hello,
we have a 4 year old male rabbit who,se come down with a terrible sickness that the vet can't quite explain either, so I'm thankful that I can ask you for advice.
Last wed. we discovered a huge protrusion coming out of his rectum, which looked for a few days like his intestines are sticking out. The vet assumes this happened because of constipation. Everyday, he's received an antibiotic shot and we've been keeping him clean using an enzyme spray. Now it has receded greatly but whatever it is is still protruding. Pressing at the base of his rectum, it's all hard. The vet thinks it could also be a tumor.
The vet has given these shots once every day and now we've stopped
the daily shots and are observing him closely.
He seems to be eating hay but drinks and eats very little.
He's been an outside rabbit, hopping about in our courtyard for a good year. He was neutered last year.
We also have 2 other rabbits and they seem to be fine.
I can't think of anything else to mention other than the fact that he generally looks bad (teary eyes, fur sticking up, tail down as if covering his wound).
Any idea what this could be? My wife and I are suspecting a tumor.
Thank you in advance!
Dieter

Answer
Dear Dieter,

Although I can't see it to know for sure, this sounds like a rectal polyp.  This is a benign growth that can become inflamed and painful, but will respond to anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids (which is what I suspect your vet might have prescribed).  It *could* be a tumor, but these are very uncommon in rabbits in this area, while polyps are fairly common.  Only a biopsy would tell you for sure.

Polyps should be surgically removed, but not by a vet who didn't even recognize what it was in the first place.  :(  Since it's possible that your vet is not well-versed in rabbit medicine (meaning no disrespect; lots of vets specialize in dogs and cats and are taught very little about rabbits in vet school), I would strongly recommend that you use the referral list linked here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

to find a vet who is more familiar with rabbit medical problems and who can confidently perform the minor surgery to remove the irritating polyp.

In the meantime, a sitzbath of epsom salts in lukewarm water will help the polyp recede without the use of potentially harmful corticosteroids.  I would do this once or twice a day, just to make him feel better.  But be sure he is thoroughly dried (with a blow dryer on "low") before you put  him back out.  Wet fur is an invitation to fly strike.


His teary eyes and bad fur may or may not be related to his problem.  He probably could use a good "dry bath" with baby cornstarch, as described here:

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

The runny eyes are probably NOT related to his nether regions' problem.   Rather, it is probabl that he has molar disorder, such as spurs, an abscess, or blocked tear ducts due to inflammation and/or intrusion of the molar roots deeper into the skull than is normal.  If he's a lop or other short-faced breed, the tear duct occulsion is more common.

A tear duct flush can help this problem, as can application of the appropriate antibiotic/anti-inflammatory ophthalmic drops:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/culture

explains how to know which antibiotics will be effective against this problem.  

I also strongly urge you to read:

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

which explains more about dental problems in rabbits.  These are actually *very* common, though too few vets know how to look for them or treat them.  It's good for every bunny "parent" to know about them.

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

Dana