Please help diagnose my rabbit

[PoorRabbit]

I'd be ever so grateful if anyone can help. We don't seem to have any rabbit savvy vets around here, mumsnet managed to diagnos scabies in my poor bunnies last year after vet one told me it was a sawdust allergy and vet two (different practice) told me it was a herediatary autoimmune diagnose . Managed to get them diagnosed and treated for scabies once mumsnet had helped and now I need your help again.
One of my rabbits has a lopsided face. I'll try to attach a photo but you can't see it very well in pictures although it's very obvious in real life. The vet said she is swollen inside and out and salivating a lot on one side but other than that she can't see anything that could be causing it. She had an anti inflammatory injection yesterday but it's worse today. She's still eating but unable to drink or clean herself so I'm having to clean poo off her bottom and giving her lot she of watery veg, vet said she isn't dehydrated. Poor thing looks really deformed. One side of her face (around the mouth) is swollen but it's the other side that looks worse, it looks sucked in/dented, like my husband said, it looks like someone has bashed her on the side of the head with a bat (they definitely haven't btw!). It's just so uneven.
I've already paid £60 just to get her seen and have the injection that did nothing.
Any advice and suggestions would be very gratefully received

[PoorRabbit]

Sorry should've said, I noticed this yesterday but we were on holiday for two weeks before this and mum mum was looking them, she said she didn't notice anything but her eye sight isn't the best tbh so it couldn't been going on for longer.

[Ginger782]

Dental or ear infection?

Any heat?

[Ginger782]

Also, was the vet you saw a normal companion animal vet or someone who specialises in rabbits. A lot of companion animal vets may not see a lot of rabbits so it could be worthwhile finding someone who does?

[PoorRabbit]

I don't think there are any specialist rabbit vets around here, I tried last time.
How would we know if it was a dental or ear infection Ginger? The vet looked with a torch into mouth and ears and couldn't see anything. Or would this need to be looked at on an X-ray or something?
Thanks both for your posts.

[Ginger782]

Did the vet check it's temperature OP? Can you feel heat when you hold a finger against the swollen side (compare to other side for reference)? Run a finger down/up each side of bun's face with even pressure - does she flinch/show pain when you put pressure anywhere? Does she have bad breath at all? I'm guessing the vet checked her gums were all healthy. From your description if it is a tooth abscess/infection it could be her cheek teeth.

Of course, it could be something completely different too - hard to guess.

[Ginger782]

I've just reread your original post. Did the vet say which heteditary autoimmune disease they suspect? Malocclusion is hereditary but the vet could do a trim under anesthetic to treat that and relieve pressure?

[PoorRabbit]

To be honest ginger with that I think they were just coming up with ideas as to what could be causing their skin to literally drop off as they had no clue what it was. First they tried to say an allergy but then it spread to the other rabbit too so they said that maybe it was a heredited auto immune disease but they weren't sure what.
She doesn't seem to be in any pain as she's washing her face and touching it with her paws without flinching, she's currently hiding under the hutch in the shade so I'll have a feel of it for heat when she makes an appearance. Thanks.

[PoorRabbit]

Sorry that was when they had scabies they said that ^^ not this time.

[Ginger782]

To be honest if someone brought her in to me and didn't want to pay for xrays (totally acceptable) I would run a course of antibiotics. If the swelling and drooling stops you have your answer: it was an infection. If it returns, investigate further to find out what's causing the recurring infection. If I were you, I'd ask for antibiotics. Good luck!

[MsMims]

Poor thing, sounds really sore.

Dental problems are very common although they usually go off their food then too. Salivating is a symptom though. I agree with ginger that there's no harm in trying a course of antibiotics although my guess would be her teeth have gone wonky, into the cheek and caused an infection so the underlying tooth issue needs sorting too.

Could you try and post a photo?

Although an exotic specialist vet is ideal some other vets may have a special interest in small furries. Worth calling a few practices and asking if any of their staff are good with rabbits.

Also bear in mind being a pray animal they often won't show signs of pain until they are very sick as it makes them vulnerable to predators. What was the injection she was given?

[Booksandcrocheting]

if you are anywhere near Liverpool, this practice has a brilliant rabbit vet:-

www.village-vets.com/

[DistortedPerceptions]

I would put money on it being a dental abscess, or worst case a tumour. Rabbit abscesses are solid unlike cat abscesses. It's very difficult to do a proper oral exam on a conscious rabbit. Ideally they'd be examined under GA. If it was malocclusion it would be present from birth. Am surprised you weren't given antibiotics though.

[PoorRabbit]

Thanks you Ginger, tbh I wouldn't mind paying for X-rays, I've paid £60 already for two consultations where nothing was resolved and an injection that did nothing so would be willing to pay more just to find out what's wrong! Would a dental or ear infection show on an X-ray?
Thanks Ms, the injection was an anti inflammatory one but it didn't do anything. I think I might phone around some vets tomorrow and ask if there's any that can help. I k is there's none in this town but we're around 30 mins away from a city so maybe there'll be something there.
It's really hard to get a picture of it, in real life it looks terrible but just doesn't come out very well in photos but I have some photos, will try to upload them now.
Books, we're in South Wales so a bit far but thank you for the suggestion.
Thanks Distorted. I will try and get some anti bioitics tomorrow and see how we get on.

[PoorRabbit]

It's the white bunny, one side is swollen and the other is sort of pulled back.

[PoorRabbit]

More pics

[CornflakeHomunculus]

The RWA have a rabbit friendly vet list, not terribly extensive at the moment but they are apparently constantly updating it.

Another option could be to get in touch with any local rabbit/small animal rescues there are near you and ask which vets are the best in the area. The Rabbit Rehome site has a list of rescues which might be of use.

[PoorRabbit]

Thanks cornflake, no rabbit friendly vets listed near us. I've tried a couple of nearby rescues but haven't been able to make contact, they are people running them from their homes though so probably very busy understandably.
Well the vet we have been seeing was going to ring me at midday as she was going to speak to a rabbit specialist to see what they said but haven't heard anything yet.
I did find a vet about 30 mins away that talks about rabbit welfare on their website so wondering if they have an interest. Might give them a ring after speaking to current vet and seeing what her specialist has said, if anything.