Sick rabbit, any suggestions on how to treat?

[PaintedFeathers]

Anyone here know about treating abscesses in bunnies? My friend just got a young buck and he is in horrible condition, his eyes are infected, he has an abscess, his nose is gross, and he's completely matted. I am going to go over tomorrow and take a look at him. I am planning on lancing the abscess if it's bad, using some veterycin spray and silver sulfadizine cream. Any thoughts? She can't bring him to the vet. I also suggested using antibiotic opthalmic ointment for his eyes. Also going to pick him up some vitamins.

 

[Bunnylady]

I'm afraid I'm not going to be any help here, because I would run, not walk, away from this rabbit. Nose, eyes, and an abscess? I'd wonder if this animal has any immune function at all. Any or all of these infections could be caused by the nemesis of rabbit breeders, Pasteurella. I hope your friend doesn't have any other rabbits, because what this animal has may be highly contagious.

I know, good-hearted people see an animal in distress and want to help, but sometimes, it isn't reasonable. Rabbits can quit on you so easily (is this rabbit even eating?) Even if he recovers, the nose in particular is the type of infection that never completely goes away in rabbits; even everyday sorts of stresses can cause it to flare up again. Some of these animals can live for years with bouts of sneezing and snotty noses. If this guy was in my hands, I'd feel sorry for him, but I'd euthanize him.

 

[Fly 2006]

I have to reluctantly agree, I am the sort of person that would gladly take the time to nurse an animal back to health especially if I thought it would recover fully and live a good life, this rabbit sounds in a bad way and quite honestly the kindest thing would be to put him out of his misery or get him looked at by a vet and get a proper diagnosis, If you decide to go ahead and treat him, I would love for you to prove me wrong and make him better! Just make sure whatever you do is in the best interest of the bunnyX

 

[PaintedFeathers]

I hope it's not. She has 2 other girls she bought him for! They are all purebred angoras. I am hoping it's an issue of neglect, he's in such horrid condition. She put him in her bedroom in a crate, away from the girls. I am going to get her a few things, including some rabbit vitamins and good hay, and all the medical supplies I have.

 

[sourland]

I'm afraid I'm not going to be any help here, because I would run, not walk, away from this rabbit. Nose, eyes, and an abscess? I'd wonder if this animal has any immune function at all. Any or all of these infections could be caused by the nemesis of rabbit breeders, Pasteurella. I hope your friend doesn't have any other rabbits, because what this animal has may be highly contagious.

Some of these animals can live for years with bouts of sneezing and snotty noses. If this guy was in my hands, I'd feel sorry for him, but I'd euthanize him.

And some of these animals can develop fulminating pneumonia that can wipe out an entire herd. She must maintain strict quarantine/isolation procedures, and you should sanitize/wash everything (including yourself) that comes in contact with this animal.

 

[PaintedFeathers]

okay I will let her know. I will bring over some oxine solution in a spray bottle and have her clean everything and spray everywhere he's been. I feel so bad, I sent her the ad for this rabbit, and she had to drive an hour to go get him and when she got there she felt she had to take him because she had already driven that far and he was so sad looking. I feel bad for this woman's other rabbits! She didn't even offer for my friend to see them just handed her this male. She said he got attacked by his father a couple weeks ago which was why she thought he was like this. I think she is just neglectful.

 

[PaintedFeathers]

Can I use tylan 50 inj on it? If so what it the dose and where do I have her give it?

 

[Celie]

No answer? I have a friend who I gave a healthy mini rex to about 4 months ago. She was pregnant and had 2 kits on June 1st. This lady is great with her animals, so there is no neglect! The rabbit developed a cough a few weeks ago, so she brought it to a vet, who is suppose to be good with rabbits, medication after medication did not help, hundreds of $s spent and the vet wants to keep treating for a lot more $s. They gave her Ciproflpxacin two times daily. It's a week later and she's not worse but really not better. She sounds a little like popcorn popping. The vet said it is not at all uncommon for rabbits to get this. The vet now is talking about putting her under anesthesia to X-ray her. Can anyone suggest what might work? All I can think of would be Penicillin? I have long lasting and quick lasting, Which would you use and how much? Someone, PLEASE HELP?

 

[SunnySkies]

Penicillin won't work in pneumonia.

Please don't second guess the vet.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

No answer? I have a friend who I gave a healthy mini rex to about 4 months ago. She was pregnant and had 2 kits on June 1st. This lady is great with her animals, so there is no neglect! The rabbit developed a cough a few weeks ago, so she brought it to a vet, who is suppose to be good with rabbits, medication after medication did not help, hundreds of $s spent and the vet wants to keep treating for a lot more $s. They gave her Ciproflpxacin two times daily. It's a week later and she's not worse but really not better. She sounds a little like popcorn popping. The vet said it is not at all uncommon for rabbits to get this. The vet now is talking about putting her under anesthesia to X-ray her. Can anyone suggest what might work? All I can think of would be Penicillin? I have long lasting and quick lasting, Which would you use and how much? Someone, PLEASE HELP?

She also needs to make sure she is giving the FULL dose of the antibiotics prescribed, otherwise the infection can keep coming back and may even come back worse than before.