Pipp
Well-Known Member
Any idea how she got the abscess? How long the lump has been there? If they examined her thoroughly, you think they would have caught it the first time -- although they can pop up quickly.
I really doubt that they'd charge you again. Just insist that they do a better job. The Vet should have at least prepared a sterile saline solution or something for you.
I've successfully treated my abscess bunnies (face and foot) by carefully cleaning all the tissue from the wound and rinsing it with sterile saline solution.
You may be able to have her wound packed with antibacterial gauze or even a special medical honey.
You do have to really be a 'nurse' with these wounds, removing dead tissue (with sterile tweezers), rinsing and packing.
One of my Vets, like many, is pro-surgery. He wants to operate to try and take it all out even if it doesn't look likely. But you have a rabbit who may not be a great anesthetic candidate, although that's only a guess.
(EDITED FOR CLARITY) My other Vet is more inclined to clean the 'borderline' wounds and treat the bunny with injections of Bicillin and oral ChlorPalm. Some Vets think Baytril is a safer bet for babies, but others will prefer stronger stuff. But Baytril is a start. Best bet is to get a culture done, but that might cost a lot, your Vet may be just trying the Baytril first and if it works, great, if not, they'll try a culture and/or another drug (or drugs).
Flushing the wound is probably the best treatment, at least for the short term. It may be painful (but not as bad as you think), but she is on pain meds already -- the Metacam is what they'd prescribe regardless -- and she's on antibiotics.
ETA: Ask about using Betadine as an antiseptic.
They just should have done a much better job of cleaning it and preparing you for continued maintenance.
Here are a couple of articles. The first one you can show your Vet. MediRabbit is a Vet-oriented site in Switzerland, they're normally right on the mark re: treatment and they're receptive to emailed questions from other Vets.
The second is more generalized. They're pretty gloom and doom about abscesses, but most of the bunnies I've been around have been treated successfully.
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Bacterial/abscess_management.PDF
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=503&S=5
sas
ray:
I really doubt that they'd charge you again. Just insist that they do a better job. The Vet should have at least prepared a sterile saline solution or something for you.
I've successfully treated my abscess bunnies (face and foot) by carefully cleaning all the tissue from the wound and rinsing it with sterile saline solution.
You may be able to have her wound packed with antibacterial gauze or even a special medical honey.
You do have to really be a 'nurse' with these wounds, removing dead tissue (with sterile tweezers), rinsing and packing.
One of my Vets, like many, is pro-surgery. He wants to operate to try and take it all out even if it doesn't look likely. But you have a rabbit who may not be a great anesthetic candidate, although that's only a guess.
(EDITED FOR CLARITY) My other Vet is more inclined to clean the 'borderline' wounds and treat the bunny with injections of Bicillin and oral ChlorPalm. Some Vets think Baytril is a safer bet for babies, but others will prefer stronger stuff. But Baytril is a start. Best bet is to get a culture done, but that might cost a lot, your Vet may be just trying the Baytril first and if it works, great, if not, they'll try a culture and/or another drug (or drugs).
Flushing the wound is probably the best treatment, at least for the short term. It may be painful (but not as bad as you think), but she is on pain meds already -- the Metacam is what they'd prescribe regardless -- and she's on antibiotics.
ETA: Ask about using Betadine as an antiseptic.
They just should have done a much better job of cleaning it and preparing you for continued maintenance.
Here are a couple of articles. The first one you can show your Vet. MediRabbit is a Vet-oriented site in Switzerland, they're normally right on the mark re: treatment and they're receptive to emailed questions from other Vets.
The second is more generalized. They're pretty gloom and doom about abscesses, but most of the bunnies I've been around have been treated successfully.
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Bacterial/abscess_management.PDF
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=503&S=5
sas
ray:
