Abscesses & Skin Infections
Abscesses
Rabbit abscesses are not something to be taken lightly...
Abscesses can occur anywhere on the body and the two main bacteria involved are Pasteurella multocida and Staphylococcus aurea. Abscesses found on or near the jaw or near the eye are most often associated with tooth root issues and the resulting infection can also involve the bone. Those on the rest of the body are usually associated with an injury/break to the skin.
All abscesses can cause significant pain to your rabbit, can be life threatening and need urgent treatment by a rabbit savvy veterinarian.
Below you'll find an extensive collection of links to reliable websites to help you understand the issues associated with and treatment of abscesses and skin infection in rabbits.
The following series of photos is shared with the kind permission of The Unusual Pet Vets and shows a huge abscess being removed from Spooky the rabbit's back.
In preparation for surgery, the fur around the lump has been clipped, this really demonstrates just how big the lump is.
Dr Vicky aspirated some of the material with a syringe.
Continuing to remove a much of the abscess with a curette.
Spooky all sutured up and ready to start her road to recovery.
The photo below illustrates an unusual abscess presentation. This rabbit had a grass seed stuck up its nose. This caused irritation of the mucosal lining which progressed to infection with subsequent abscess formation. The abscess was successfully surgically removed and the rabbit made a full recovery.
Photo credit - Loren Antoinette
Treatment of Abscesses
“In most cases of abscess, the rabbit has a history of pasteurellosis, though other bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sp., Pseudomonas sp or Fusiformis sp. are no exceptions. They often result from a nasolacrimal or tooth problem, surgery, insect bites, scratches or skin wound, trauma, or a foreign body such as a hay splinter in the gum, foot sole or anal gland.”
Skin Abscesses - - MediRabbit, Esther van Praag, Ph.D.
”Rabbits can form abscesses in nearly any organ of the body as well as in skin, tooth roots and bone. The most common causes of rabbit abscesses are infections in tooth roots, tear ducts and bite wounds. Most facial abscesses are the result of dental disease. Tear duct abscesses can be the result of an elongated upper incisor tooth root blocking the tear duct. The accumulated fluid in the tear duct is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and an abscess can form easily. Abscesses that form internally can be more difficult to diagnose or manage and include areas such as the uterus, lungs, heart, liver, abdominal fat, intestine and kidneys.”
Abscesses in Rabbits - House Rabbit Society
Romeo’s Abscess - below. This rescue bun had been enclosed with another rabbit. They had been fighting for 6 months. The only sign of the abscess was a little bit of fur sticking up in between Romeo’s hip bones. Once the fur was shaved it was clear there was an issue, although the area was only slightly raised. A three hour surgery saw the removal of a huge abscess that was adhered to and wrapped around Romeo’s spinal column. I asked for him to be shaved completely whilst he was under so that we could thoroughly check his skin. This exposed dozens of bites, poor boy! Romeo went on to make a complete recovery and in time found a wonderful new home.
”An abscess is a walled-off pocket of infection, which contains infective bacteria, in order to stop them spreading throughout the body – a potentially lethal situation. They are fairly common in pet rabbits and can occur anywhere in the body. Common sites include the skin (after injury, bite wound or surgery) or in the head and neck, frequently secondary to dental or nasolacrimal duct (tear duct) disease.”
Abscesses – Further Reading - Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund
Two articles discussing alternatives to purely surgical intervention -
Successful Eradication of Severe Abscesses in Rabbits with Long- Term Administration of Penicillin G Benzathine/Penicillin G Procaine - by Marcy E. Rosenfield (Moore)
Dual-Acting Penicillin: Non-Surgical Treatment of Head Abscesses in Rabbits - Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
Skin Infections -
”If your bunny has an infection of any kind--from an upper respiratory infection, to a jaw abscess to a urinary tract infection--it's critical to know which antibiotics will be effective against the particular pathogen (i.e., disease-causing agent) causing the problem. This means that (1) the species (and strain) of bacteria (or other pathogen) must be identified and (2) the drugs most effective at inhibiting their growth must be determined. The only reliable way this can be done is a culture and sensitivity test.”
Culture and Culture and Sensitivity Testing - Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
Rabbit Syphillis
Rabbit syphilis is a bacterial disease caused by the spirochete Treponema cuniculi. The bacterium is universal and found all over the world. It infests wild and domestic or pet rabbits. The transmission of the bacterium is not well understood. It may be
· Direct, between adult rabbits during mating;
· Indirect, passed through the milk from an infected doe to her offspring.
Other modes of transmission cannot be excluded since active syphilis infections have found in pet rabbits that were living individually, without contact with other rabbits.
Incubation time for the disease is long, 3 to 16 weeks. Treponema cuniculi can be dormant for a long period of time. A rabbit can thus remain asymptomatic during several years. A stressful event or suppression of the immune system can trigger the onset of the bacterial disease.
The incidence of syphilis in house rabbits is not known, but it is likely more common than previously thought. The disease is not zoonotic, and cannot be passed from rabbits to other animals and humans.
Source and to read more - Treponematosis - rabbit syphilis - MediRabbit, Esther van Praag, Ph.D.
Further Reading -
Case report: Atypical treponematosis - rabbit syphilis in a pet rabbit - MediRabbit, Esther van Praag, Ph.D.
RABBIT SYPHILIS - The Unusual Pet Vets
Below, a suspected case of Rabbit Syphilis
Pain Management in Rabbits - Pain in Rabbits
Support to Help Boost the Immune System & Support your Rabbit During Times of Illness ... Complimentary & Beneficial Plants
The main thing I'd suggest is Echinacea. This is safe to feed whilst on antibiotics. You can use an extract as well. Using an alcohol free children's supplement can work well - I’d use a couple of drops per day.
Other good immune supporting and healing foods/herbs are -
Stinging nettles
Raspberry leaf
Calendula petals - to help skin healing
Cleavers - to help skin healing
Puha - an amazing general tonic
Plantain - to support for gut function with antibiotics
Blackberry/bramble leaves - to support for gut function with antibiotics