What illness is this? -URGENT-

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pikachan

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15 days ago I went to the vet to get my rabbit vaccinated for the first time ( he is 2 and a half years old). 2 days ago I noticed some redness around his nose and right eye and I initially thought that he just hurt himself, because he tends to jump a lot in his cage, but it eventually became darker and I realized that it must be something much worse.

Yesterday night I checked him from head to toe and I found a few more dark spots on his left ear and, and on his testicles, which looked the worst. I am guessing that they first appeared on his testicles, but in the past few days I didn’t carry him around so I couldn’t notice. I’m attaching a few photos. The spots are very dry, but in the photos they look wet because I had just applied some ointment to them when I took them:

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Yesterday I went to a vet near my house, since I got very scared when I saw his spots, but this vet wasn’t a specialist in exotic animals, so she told me she wouldn’t risk starting any treatment, but she thought it might be Treponematosis or Myxomatosis... She said that it could be a reaction to the vaccine. She checked him and she said that he didn’t have a fever and that his anus looked alright.

Today I went to another vet, who was a specialist, and he said that it could be something wrong with his liver (due to the fact that we’ve recently changed his pellets) or some kind of milder Myxomatosis. He suggested starting an antibiotic based treatment and he gave him a Lincospectin shot today and we made an appointment for tomorrow to get another shot. He also told us to apply a specific ointment to his spots, but to wash it off with wet wipes from his genital area, so that he doesn’t swallow it.
He hasn’t had any kind of contact with other rabbits and we keep him indoors.He’s still eating, maybe about 80% of the amount he used to eat and he seems pretty energetic.

What do you guys think? Have any of you encountered this illness? Do any of you know what it could be? Do you know any treatment that would work? I am extremely devastated and worried!
 
I am so sorry! I hope he ends up being ok! I think it is maybe an infection of some sort. But the testicles look really bad... Best of luck.
 
Oh dear! Hopefully your bun gets well soon! I've never seen anything like this! Maybe an infection like Madison said.


~Breeding Quality Holland Lops Since 2012~
 
Oh no! I have no clue what it is but I really hope your bunny gets better soon!!
 
It looks like myxi. I don't know if it's the full blown illness, but certainly extremely serious. I would have some doubts about a 'rabbit' vet that can't recognize this. I would be looking for a better vet right away. I'm not too familiar with treatments options as it hardly ever occurs here in the US, but I know that antibiotics are used, and probably metacam. As well as syringe feeding if your bun isn't eating well.
 
If it is myxo, which I agree it looks like, you also need to watch out for respiratory infections, since they get discharge and the airway can close off a bit from swelling (maybe some anti-inflammatories) they can get fluid build up in the lungs which needs to be addressed. It could be a side-effect from the vaccination, though I've never seen something so severe, usually it's just a bit of redness at the site and lethargy.
 
Thanks a lot everyone for the kind replies! Today I went to a few more vets and I think I've found a better one. Sadly, it seems like it is indeed myxomatosis. Apparently, he already had the virus in his blood (possibly from his mother, I have no idea) and after he got his shot, it activated...
He started a new and better treatment today, with daily baytril shots, anti-inflammatories, pain killers and vitamins. He's still eating, not nearly as much as he would normally do, but he still enjoys his parsley, parsnip and carrot. I know that he should be eating hay, but he doesn't like it very much right now... what should I do? He doesn't eat too many pellets either, even though they used to be his favourite food.

Anyway, I know that he can get through this! He must be a strong boy! Please send him good thoughts and pray for his health!
 
It's bad that he has myxomatosis, but I hope he gets better and better!! And it's wonderful that he's taking the medicine pretty good!!
 
What was he getting vaccinated for? I've never heard of anyone vaccinating their rabbits
 
In some countries rabbits are vaccinated for calicivirus and/or myxomatosis.
 
Did the vet give you any recovery food that you can syringe feed to him if he isn't eating enough on his own?
 
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