Pet Rabbit Has Large Lump Underside of Neck?

Question

I did not notice this lump yesterday.. It seems to have grown to the size of a walnut in 2-days.
Any one out there who know a lot about Rabbits? I had no luck on the internet. It is a hard lump inside the skin, like a tumor, alongside his neck. I have been injecting his antibiotic since Monday. Does that affect a tumor to grow? He has been having a viral or bacterial infection going on for about 3-weeks now. Doctor told me the pills aren't as good as injectible antibiotic so we're doing that now. More direct and less dilution by the kidneys and liver.
I'm pretty upset so if anyone knows rabbits, has a rabbitry or similar experience, I sure would like to hear from you.
Thanks a lot.

Answer 1

It sounds like an abscess. You'll want to check the rabbit's teeth to make sure the rabbit's teeth are OK. An abscess under the chin of a rabbit can often be caused by teeth problems such as wolf teeth (the teeth curl) instead of the top teeth properly overlapping the bottom teeth like they should. Also you'll want to check to make sure there isn't anyting sharp in the cage that the rabbit could rub its chin on that might cause an abscess in that area. Especially check the feeder to make sure the opening isn't too small (too small of a feeder can cause problems on large headed rabbits such as lops).

The abscess should be lanced (cut open) and drained. After the abscess is lanced and drained it is normally sprayed with an iodine spray. Normally the vet will shave the area over the abscess. Then he will feel around the abscess for a soft spot on the abscess. A large injection needle can be insterted into the soft spot and the edge of the needle and can be used to cut open the abscess. Or a scalpal blade can be used to open the abscess at the soft spot. You don't want to try opening it at a hard spot or you risk cutting into tissue and causing a lot of bleeding. After the abscess has been cut open the puss can be squeezed out. The vet should take a sample of the puss to be examined to determine the correct antibiotic to use (the medicine should correlate to the bacteria causing the problem). Sometimes the vet can tell by the smell of the puss what kind of bacterial infection it is.

You'll want to keep the abscess drained regularly till it starts healing and quits filling up with puss. Antibiotic injections are normally given as subcataneous injections under the hide of the rabbit's neck. For quicker incorporation of the antibiotic into the rabbit's bloodstream the injection is sometimes given directly into the muscle of the rabbit by injecting the shot into the back of one of its back legs. You have to be careful giving a shot there though because you can hit a nerve in the back leg if not careful.

I seriously doubt that your rabbit has warbles. Warbles don't normally occur under a rabbit's chin. They normally occur on a rabbit's back or sides. As other people mentioned, warbles are caused by flies laying eggs on the rabbit. The laying of eggs by the fly normally occurs when the rabbits are still babies in the nest box. The fly is attracted by the odor of any dead babies in the nest box. That is one of many reasons to remove dead babies from the nest box ASAP. The eggs will grow and devolop into larvae and lumps you can see under the skin when the rabbit reachs 6-10 weeks old or so. Normally you will see a vent hole towards the top that allows the larvae to breathe. Normally the larvae has to be extracted out. Don't try squeezing or pushing out the larvae. This could cause it to pop. The fluids of the larvae popping inside would be very detrimental to the rabbit. The larvae should eventually leave the rabbit when they become adults and are ready to turn into a fly, but common practice is to carefully extract the larvae by someone such as a vet.

JesusChild who claims to be a vet is not very rabbit savvy. Warbles or bot fly as it is sometimes called. Is not a bacteria, but rather a fly larvae. That's one thing that you have to keep in mind. Many veterinarians are not rabbit savvy. So choose your veterinarian with care. Ask other people who raise or show rabbits who they would recommend for a veterinarian in your local area.

Answer 2

I have raised rabbits and for the guy who is a vet thats a load of you know what a warble is a huge larval worm in the skin and it is not bacterial. Warbles bury in the skin and make tunnels under the skin. Do you see any drainage of any kind? if you dont then it may just be the fat under their neck. When they are inside pets and just sitting around there is the loose skin under the neck that looks like a second chin. Is it eating? How much water is it drinking? Feel its nose is it wet if so no fever is present. You can not get the warble out unless you have needle nose pliers, peroide and possibly a fisshing hook when the worm sticks its head out of the hole you have to hook it or grab it . If you dont it will bury further under the skin. But best betr is take it to the vet it wont cost much duer to the size of the thing. Where are you injecting the shots if it is under the skin of the neck are you rubbing the injection site after you give it to him. This may be from the injection site just like us there is swelling from an injection. It may be that simple calm down and remember where you injected the shot the neck skin of a rabbit is very thin and you have to be careful. I really think this is what it is the injection site swelling and it should go away soon.

Answer 3

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RE:
Pet Rabbit Has Large Lump Underside of Neck?
I did not notice this lump yesterday.. It seems to have grown to the size of a walnut in 2-days.
Any one out there who know a lot about Rabbits? I had no luck on the internet. It is a hard lump inside the skin, like a tumor, alongside his neck. I have been injecting his antibiotic since Monday....

Answer 4

My pet mouse has one lump near to his back right leg, it wasn't there when I handled him on the Thursday night, but on the Friday it was!!!! - I checked up on it online, and when mice get a lump it is either: 1 - a hernia 2 - an absess 3 - a tumour I took him to the vets on the Saturday morning, and my worst fears were confirmed when I was told it was a tumour, fortunately it's superficial, and there's only the one (for the moment atleast!) The vet told me that he would have between 2 weeks to 2 months left, during which time, the following things may happen to indicate he has got very poorly: stops eating / drinking lethargic tumour becomes ulcerated (notice blood on him / in cage) tumour grows so big it gets in the way of his day to day life When one of the above happens, the kindest thing I can do is to take him to be put to sleep, which I am very sad about because he's so lovely, however I do not want him to be in any pain or suffering either, so I have accepted what I must do! In terms of treating it, if it is cancer, they can operate however it's very risky on a small animal, quite expensive (about £100) and even if the mouse makes it through the operation, chances are another tumour will develop elsewhere pretty soon after. My mouse is almost 2.5 years (though I've had him for less than 1 year) which is pretty old, so I feel happy that he has had a good life with me (didn't have so good of a one before, he was mistreated and abandoned). I will miss him very much, I wish he could live forever (well, for my lifetime anyway) but unfortunately that's not possible. However he will always be in my heart!!! I'm not a vet myself so I can't diagnose for you, but my feeling is that it's tumours (sadly mice are prone to these) and my advice to you would be to spend lots of quality time with your mouse during it's last few weeks / months, take some pictures or record a video. If you want to talk further, or need some support, please feel free to email me via my profile - I'm pretty much in the same boat as you right now!!!! I am sorry I can't give you good news.

Answer 5

It sounds more like a warble than a tumor or infection. It's common in wild rabbits, but pets can get them too. It's caused by a fly laying it's eggs under the skin. If that's the case, antibiotics won't do anything, the worm inside it needs to be surgically removed. Ask the vet about warbles. Good luck, hope this helped.

Answer 6

Large Bump On Neck

Answer 7

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There are vets who can do something for your mouse but is it worth it? I have had rats my whole life but a specialist is expensive. It's quality not quantity. So if she stops eating and/or stops doing the things she likes to do (ie: wheel play) than yes, it would be the most humane thing to do to put her down. Unfortunately, you wont be able to be with her when/if she is euthanised. I don't know any vet who would allow it if that was your choice. I'm sorry about that. My rat is on her way out too. It's sad that they live such a short time.

Answer 8

I'm agreeing with the poster who suggested warbles, but has your vet checked his teeth? They can get abcesses that protrude like tumors if their teeth aren't properly trimmed. He needs a vet for this. Antibiotics won't cure the problem if it's warbles or an abcessed tooth.

Answer 9

My rabbit recently had a bacteria infection he got from another rabbit! My vet prescribed him baytril also. He now has a large bump on his neck too! I have an appointment for Wed what do yu think they will do?

Answer 10

It sounds like it could be an abcess. Your vet should be able to sedate the rabbit and lance the abcess or remove the tumor