Bunny not well :c

[Stephable]

Hey, I've just found out from the vet that my bunny Boston has what is probably an abscess under his chin. He's lost quite a bit of weight lately and is having more struggles eating and breathing. He's going back in for x-rays on Friday and we'll know more about how to move forward after that but the vets seem to think it involves the bone which complicates things and will probably require multiple anaesthetics.

I'm worried about him going to sleep and I'm worried about the surgery and possible infection so I'm really just trying to spend as much time with him as I can. I also have him on a chopped up fruit and veg diet now that's kind of the consistency of baby food so he is certainly eating a lot more (I also have critical care in case) and he is active, interested in food and alert.

He's a tough little guys but if you could keep him in your thoughts it would be hugely appreciated. He's much loved and will get the best possible care.

 

[Terry57]

Awww, I am so sorry Boston is not feeling well
I hope that they find it will be easier to take care of than what they are anticipating.
Sending healing wishes his way, and will keep him (and you) in my thoughts. Please let us know what happens on Friday.

 

[Flboy]

Oh gosh! We are here for the tough times too!

 

[EllenD]

Awe, I'm sorry...

Is your vet certain it's an "abscess" from an infection? Did he do a fine-needle aspiration, take some fluid, and do a gram-stain on it? That's the only way to tell exactly what it is (should be done before imaging tests, as it's much less invasive and if he gets nothing but white-blood-cells, then it's definitely an abscess, if not then it's not an abscess)...

Question, is your bunny allowed outside a lot? In the grass a lot, or in a pen that is kept outside? Does the "lump" under his chin have any kind of opening, even like a little, tiny hole/pin prick type of opening?

 

[BoomBoom]

Thinking of you and Boston. My wishes for a positive outcome and quick recovery.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I love bunnies. I wish yours well, and to you, I wish strength and peace as you love and care for your little rabbit.

 

[YUMgrinder]

Poor bunny I hope everything ends up ok. I had to put our bunny down like a month or so ago because she had cancer that returned and it was very hard. Good luck and get well soon

 

[Scott]

Hoping for the very best for Boston Friday. Please keep us updated, looking forward to him making a nice recovery.

 

[Stephable]

Hey, thanks for the support guys. Boston is back home and having dinner now.

His x-rays were worse than I'd hoped so he's not doing great, we're looking at doing some palliative care rather than put him through surgery that is unlikely to fix anything. He's started antibiotics and the vet thinks he could be ok for another year or so with regular antibiotic injections which I can learn to do myself. It's more about when he's in too much pain than anything else. I'm hoping to have some more happy time with him but I don't want to make him hang around past what's comfortable for him just because I want him to. He's eating, running around and playing with my other rabbit for now and that's all I can really hope for.

@EllenD because he's a netherland dwarf it was most likely that a tooth root was causing the lump because of how their teeth grow and his physiology. My vet is very experienced with rabbits and the x-rays showed that he was right. He actually has even more tooth root problems on the side without the abscess but they haven't quite broken through to create an abscess yet.

 

[Scott]

I deeply respect your desire to balance Boston's comfort with longevity. Seems you have a skilled vet and the good judgement to give him the very best quality of life. Don't need to tell you how lots of love the next months will make a huge difference!

 

[Stephable]

Our vet is fantastic. He has been seeing our dogs for years and well and they even recommended I went elsewhere for my birds because they don't have an avian vet there. I trust them to help me make the call about my pets health which has been hugely helpful through Boston's situation.

I'm lucky to have them offer to teach me to give Boston his antibiotic injections or come in and have him do it for free if I can't do it at home. Wish me luck in learning to give him his injections, it'd be difficult for us all to go to the vet every three days.