Introduction

• Subcutaneous abscesses are common in domestic rabbits.
• Cause: whilst some are associated with evidence of underlying disease, especially dental disease, many have no evidence of points of entry of infection. Several bacterial types may be involved.
• Signs: subcutaneous mass (particularly common on head), if discharging sinus is present, exudate is very thick. Internal abscessation can also occur, less commonly, and is more difficult to diagnose.
• Diagnosis: external appearance, palpation, needle aspiration.
• Treatment: may be difficult, and recurrence is common. Underlying disease must be looked for, and treated if present.
• Prognosis: guarded.

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Presenting signs

Acute

• Subcutaneous masses present in any part of the body, but are particularly common on the head.
• Abscesses may be large and appear fixed to underlying tissues .
• Multiple abscesses or infection elsewhere (rhinitis Rhinitis / sinusitis, pneumonia   Pneumonia, metritis Pyometra) may be present.
• Retrobulbar abscesses Eye: retrobulbar abscess are also common.
• Internal abdominal or thoracic abscessation is less common .
• Concurrent disease may be present.
• If discharging, exudate is very thick (caseous).

Cost considerations

• Expensive.
• Repeated anesthesia and surgery may be very costly.

Pathogenesis

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Outcomes

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Legendre L (2011) Treatment of oral abscesses in rodents and lagomorphs. J Vet Den 28 (1), 30-33 PubMed.
• Taylor W M, Beaufrère H, Mans C et al (2010) Long-term outcome of treatment of dental abscesses with a wound-packing technique in pet rabbits: 13 cases (1998-2007). JAVMA 237 (12), 1444-1449 PubMed.
• Harcourt-Brown F (2009) Dental disease in pet rabbits 3. Jaw abscesses. In Pract 31 (10), 496-505 VetMedResource.
• Sant R & Rowland M (2009) Skin disease in rabbits. In Pract 31 (5), 233-238 VetMedResource.
• Meredith A (2007) Rabbit dentistry. Euro J Comp Anim Pract 17 (1), 55-62 MediRabbit.
• Renfrew H, Rest J R, Holden A R (2001) Extraskeletal fibroblastic osteosarcoma in a rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)​. JSAP 42 (9), 456-458 PubMed.
• Molan P C (1999) The role of honey in management of wounds. J Wound Care 8 (8), 415-418 PubMed.
• Tobias K M S, Schneider R K & Besser T E (1996) Use of antibiotic impregnated polymethyl methacrylate. JAVMA 208 (6), 841-845 VetMedResource.
• Harcourt-Brown F M (1995) A review of clinical conditions in pet rabbits associated with their teeth. Vet Rec 137 (14), 341-346 PubMed.
• Harvey C (1995) Rabbit and rodent skin diseases. Semin Avian Exotic Pet Med 4 (4), 195-204 ScienceDirect.
• Remeeus P G & Verbeek M (1995) The use of calcium hydroxide in the treatment of abscesses in the cheek of the rabbit resulting from a dental periapical disorder. J Vet Dent 12 (1), 19-22 PubMed.
• Hillyer E V (1994) Pet rabbits. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 24 (1), 25-65 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Powers L V (2015) Why so Many Options for the Treatment of Dental Abscesses in Rabbits? In: Proc 20th Annual ABVP Symposium. New Orleans.
• Varga M (2014) Abscesses. In: Textbook of Rabbit Medicine. 2nd edn. Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford. pp 249-270.
• Capello V (2011) Treatment of Difficult Facial Abscesses in Pet Rabbits. In: Proc ABVP Practitioner's Symposium. St Louis.
• Capello V (2006) Small Mammal Orthopedics. In: Proc BSAVA Congress. pp 209-211.
• Meredith A (2006) Skin diseases and Treatment in Rabbits. In: Skin diseases of Exotic Pets. Ed: Paterson S. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford. pp 288-311.
• Capello V (2004) Extraction of Cheek Teeth and Surgical Treatment of Periodontal Abscessation in Pet Rabbits with Acquired Dental Disease. Exotic DVM 6 (4), 31-38.
• Taylor M (2003) Wound Packing techniques for Rabbit Dental Abscesses. Exotic DVM 5 (3), 28-31.
• Bennett R A (2001) Managing Abscesses on the Head . In: Proc BSAVA Congress. pp 15-16.
• Harcourt-Brown F M (1999) Treatment of Facial Abscesses in Rabbits. Exotic DVM 1 (3), 83-88.