retrobulbar abscess rabbit retrobulbar abscess rabbit

Endosurgical treatment of a retrobulbar abscess in a rabbit. It is possible some teeth may need to be pulled. Like most websites we use cookies. Available at: www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00408.htm. opacity: 1; Dental abscesses in rabbits are unusual in that they seldom produce hyperthermia, can become very large without producing apparent discomfort, and tend to encapsulate and progressively destroy surrounding bone. Drainage of a retrobulbar abscess through the mouth can be successful in mild cases, and if caused by a tooth. Case description: Stomatoscopy examination revealed no opening or cavity. complications from abscess. Vet Rec 1995;137:341346. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Endod Top 2004;7:3551. HELP!! Diagnostic investigation revealed anemia, neutrophilia, severe dental disease, a superficial corneal ulcer of the left eye, and a retrobulbar abscess. Please email CABIsupport@cabi.orgwith your LibKey API Key and LibKey Static ID whichmay berequested from Third Ironsupport@thirdiron.com. [Fractures of the canines require attention]. I work at a vet clinic so I brought her in and she was in shock and we had to bolus 250 ml of normasol and put her on oxygen. Betty is recovering well, I think it was harder on me than her. Harcourt-Brown FM. 2007; 230(6):868-72 . If the abscess is retrobulbar, it mean the pus has collected behind the eye. It looks a lot better than the one bunny I've seen immediately post-enucleation. Baumgartner JC. Masipa JN, Bouckaert M, Masureik C, Lemmer J, Meyerov R, Feller L. Diagnosis and management of a retrobulbar abscess of periapical origin in a domestic rabbit. Abstract. (1999) Treatment of Facial Abscesses in Rabbits. For Librarians:Integration of your institutional LibKey profile with CAB Direct is very quick and easy! It was thickly encapsulated, so the antibiotics likely wouldn't have been able to penetrate it. In this case, the tooth needs to be removed as well as long-term medical treatment with antibiotics started. She's still on Bicillinwill be calling the vet in the morning. Rabbits are also prone to retrobulbar abscesses often associated with Pasteurella multocida; abscesses often form as an extension from dental disease (Jakl, 2012). 2019 Oct;12(10):1546-1553. doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.1546-1553. Clinical aspects of lagomorph dental anatomy: the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The cornea will be checked for ulceration and the pressure within the eye will also be measured. Here is an MRI of the head, showing pus extending up in the orbit and then down as far as the cervical area. background: #ddd; You may need to adress this still or another abscess may occur. Results of susceptibility testing revealed that no single antimicrobial was effective against both bacteria. Ideally a computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan should be taken to assess the extent of the abscess, the infection and the tooth roots, but often this is not possible due to financial constraints. Although uncommon, an abscess or pocket of infection/pus can develop behind the eye, which is referred to as a retrobulbar abscess. The eye was enucleated and he was then able to find the abscess way behind the eye. Welch WD, Lu Y-S, Bawdon RE. R= Right. A concurrent medical . Fifteen minutes before anesthetic induction via a face mask, the rabbit was premedicated with midazolam (0.5 mg/ kg [0.23 mg/lb], IM), hydromorphone (0.1 mg/kg [0.05 mg/lb], IM), and glycopyrrolate (0.01 mg [0.005 mg/lb], IM). Public health considerations Anaerobic bacteria are commonly isolated - Prevotella spp, Actinomyces spp Actinomyces spp , etc can be isolated and were also described as pathogens in cases of human oral disease, so basic . Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 230, 6; 10.2460/javma.230.6.868. This procedure is usually performed under anesthesia, unless the abscess is very small. The ear normally due to an infection or sometimes it is secondary to dental disease. A swab was inserted into the socket, and a swab specimen was submitted for aerobic and anerobic bacterial culture. Her teeth are in good shape. Brook DL. A 1-year-old sexually intact female Netherland dwarf rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) with a 3-week history of signs of lethargy, decreased appetite, left unilateral exophthalmia, a resolved draining sinus from a left maxillary facial abscess, and bilateral nasal discharge was referred to the Exotic Animal, Wildlife, and Zoological Medicine Service at the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Abnormal ocular or oculonasal discharge can also develop as a consequence of the eye irritation and the rabbit may show signs of discomfort such as excessive blinking and grinding . Would you like email updates of new search results? Due to the close apposition of the globe to the posterior dental molar roots , dental disease and root infection can lead to severe exophthalmos. San Diego: Academic Press Inc, 1994;467472. Unfortunately, it was too little too late. Careers. Rabbit/rodent dental head support, Sontec Instruments Inc, Englewood, Colo. Ohmeda 5250 respiratory gas monitor, BOC group, Louisville, Colo. Tycos Hand Aneroid Sphygmomanometer, Miami Medical, Glen Allen, Va. Karl Storz Veterinary Endoscopy America Inc, Goleta, Calif. Dremel Multipro model 395, Robert Bosh Tool Corp, Dremel Service Center, Racine, Wisc. Rabbits can form abscesses in nearly any organ of the body as well as in skin, tooth roots and bone. Regarding her diet, she hasn't had pellets in 5 years, she eats a variety of Oxbow hay free choice and limited veggies. I'll update after her appointment. Before Preoperative assessment and long-term monitoring were achieved with a combination of radiography, ophthalmic ultrasonography, and CT. Extraoral rigid endoscopy via a fenestration in the maxilla was used to facilitate surgical debridement of the lesion, and extraction of multiple cheek teeth has been fundamental to achieving control. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. Gardhouse S, Sanchez-Migallon Guzman D, Paul-Murphy J, Martnez-Jimnez D, Hernndez-Divers S J, Dietrich U M. Exotic DVM 1 (3), 83-88. Taenia serialis causing exophthamos in a pet rabbit. Retrobulbar and facial abscesses of periapical origin in rabbits often carry a poor prognosis [1,2] . In:Fowler ME, ed.Zoo and wild animal medicine. Unusual bilateral retrobulbar abscess in the rabbit. Bartholin's Glands Abdomen Retroperitoneal . Medical treatment is generally unrewarding and surgical removal of the eye (enucleation) is usually necessary. I agree that a lot of the pics online for retrobulbular abscess are ridiculous and I can't imagine how the bunnies got that way. Although this radiograph shows a true DV view of the maxilla, the mandible was deliberately pushed away from the side of the . It could be a tumour or an abscess, but in a rabbit that latter is far more likely. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help Below is a discussion on what can cause this problem and what we can do about. All rights reserved, Permanent Link: http://www.VeterinaryPartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=503, Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from House Rabbit Society. PMC Notice that the previous hyperechoic curvilinear line caudomedial to the globe is absent. Making lots of left turns. Notice that the material caudomedial to the curvilinear line is less echogenic than the wall and that the structure displaces the globe rostrolaterally. Retrobulbar and facial abscesses of periapical origin in rabbits often carry a poor prognosis [1,2]. government site. In chronic cases, rabbits can continue eating and drinking normally, but often the rabbit will deteriorate as the pain escalates or the dental disease progresses and eventually will stop eating and passing faecal pellets. Abscesses treated in this manner have a high rate of reoccurrence, but it may be possible to provide at least some measure of relief for your pet for a period of time. Retrobulbar abscesses in rabbits often results in enucleation of the affected eye as surgical drainage is traumatic and difficult (Gelatt, Gilgerm, & Kern, 2013). It is important to determine the cause of an abscess, not to just treat the abscess itself. It is also possible that the acute pain and ocular signs were actually a result of retrobulbar hemorrhage. display: flex; A 1-year-old sexually intact female Netherland dwarf rabbit was examined because of a 3-week history of signs of lethargy, decreased appetite, left unilateral exophthalmia, a previous draining sinus from a left maxillary facial abscess, and bilateral nasal discharge. Retrobulbar abscessation is the most common orbital disease of rabbits, and the lesions are notoriously difficult to treat successfully. Thank you TonyI'll be taking her in on Thursday. Semin Avian Exot Pet Med 1999;8:139141. Br Small Anim Vet Assoc Sci Annu Meet 2003;511512. retrobulbar abscess; -Otitis media or interna - caused by bacteria or yeast entering the middle or A reticulocyte index was not performed in conjunction with the initial blood analyses; however, a sign of RBC regeneration (ie, polychromasia) was detected. Radiographs of the cranium (dorsoventral, right and left lateral, and oblique views) were obtained on a mammography cassettec and films.d Radiography revealed severe malocclusion of the premolars and molars, with multiple elongated roots. The abscess capsule is defined by the hyperechoic curvilinear line (arrowheads) caudomedial to the globe (arrow), and the abscess contents are the hypoechoic material ventral to the line. Abscesses that are located around the face are often due to dental disease, which can also manifest as ocular problems, since the upper tooth roots can overgrow and impinge upon the eye socket and the nasolacrimal tear duct. Identification of uncultured bacteria from abscesses of exotic pet animals using broad-range nested 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. and transmitted securely. J Am Vet Med Assoc. Retrobulbar abscesses in rabbits - Treatment avoiding enucleation. Malocclusions in guinea pigs, chinchillas and rabbits. Abstract Case DescriptionA 1-year-old sexually intact female Netherland dwarf rabbit was examined because of a 3-week history of signs of lethargy, decreased appetite, left unilateral exophthalmia, a previous draining sinus from a left maxillary facial abscess, and bilateral nasal discharge. Synonyms for retroarticular abscess in Free Thesaurus. Endoscopic photographs obtained during stomatoscopy in the same rabbit as in Figure 1. aCaseous exudate (arrows) is entering the oral cavity from the gingival margin around the left maxillary second molar. 2007 Jul 15;231(2):284-9. doi: 10.2460/javma.231.2.284. A bacterial abscess of the tooth roots can come about rather quickly (hours-days), but other things can cause eyes to protrude (called exopthalmos), such as tumors, which grow on the order of weeks-months. Taylor M. Endoscopy as an aid to the examination and treatment of oropharyngeal disease of small herbivorous mammals. Have a basic understanding of the evolution of the eye . Abscess. Unfortunately a lot of the pics people put online are the most obvious cases they've seen, and many of those occur with total neglect of the rabbit, or someone not paying very close attention to their rabbit. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the If these tracts are not removed or thoroughly cleaned, the abscess will return. Skin and subcutaneous abscesses are frequently observed in rabbits. Kirschner SE. Gillet CS. X-rays will not only show abnormalities behind the eye, but will also give the opportunity to confirm or rule out dental disease. The rabbit was reevaluated 2, 3, and 4 weeks after surgery. In rabbits, unilateral exophthalmos may be caused by: Retrobulbar abscess : Pasteurella has frequently been implicated as the cause of these abscesses, although culture is rarely performed. Physical examination revealed generalized muscle atrophy, bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge, and severe left-sided exophthalmia. The most common signs of a retrobulbar abscess are bulging of the eye, protrusion of the third eyelid across the eye and inability to close the eyelids completely. Some abscesses are formed by a foreign body such as a grass seed entering the rabbit. The success of this conservative approach to management of a retrobulbar abscess resulted partly from frequent monitoring, serial stomatoscopy, and good client compliance. Treatment for a retrobulbar meningioma includes exenteration to remove the affected globe and orbital contents, followed by radiation therapy. Holy was put on antibiotics. If you would like to, you can learn more about the cookies we use. van der Woerdt A. Ophthalmologic diseases in small pet mammals. height: 10px; Pain - on opening the mouth, commonly associated with an abscess; Discharge - watery to mucky due to inflammation; Third eyelid elevated - caused by pressure from behind the eye; Causes. Disclaimer. You are using an out of date browser. Moderate to expensive, if computed tomography, Due to manipulation with the eye, oculo-vagal reflex (bradycardia) was seen by the author in two cases. CAB Direct now works with LibKey! 2nd ed. This article describes the diagnosis, surgical treatment, and long-term management of an extensive abscess located within the right maxilla and retrobulbar space of a domestic rabbit. Treatment options for retrobulbar abscesses are presently limited in pet rabbits, and in 1 review,20 the prognosis was considered to be guarded to grave. Take a look at our filter for Evidence Synthesis! These wounds must be left open to be flushed at least twice a day for several weeks. An abscess is a cavity containing pus surrounded by a capsule of thickened, inflamed tissue. This is to ensure that we give you the best experience possible. Stomatoscopy confirmed overgrowth of the left mandibular second molar, and small spurs affecting the lingual surface of the left maxillary second and third premolars were reduced. Pasteurella multocida has frequently been implicated as the cause for these abscesses, although confirmation through culture is rarely attained. Legendre LFJ. The most widely cited data are from the mummy Nesperehn, excavated in Thebes, where a psoas abscess and spinal changes were recorded, which established TB's presence in Egypt between 1069 and 945 bc [47]. 2nd ed. How to manage the geriatric rabbit, in Proceedings. Case DescriptionA 1-year-old sexually intact female Netherland dwarf rabbit was examined because of a 3-week history of signs of lethargy, decreased appetite, left unilateral exophthalmia, a previous draining sinus from a left maxillary facial abscess, and bilateral nasal discharge. The food passes from the mouth to the socket of the root developing infection that eventually becomes an abscess. Oof, poor girl. Most experienced rabbit veterinarians feel that complete surgical removal of the abscess, along with treatment of the underlying cause, gives the rabbit the best chance for a complete cure. The bacteria can hitch a ride on such objects. A review of clinical conditions in pet rabbits associated with their teeth. The course of antimicrobial treatment was consequently extended until complete clinical remission was observed. Unlike dog and cat pus (exudate), rabbit exudate is thick and semi-solid, much like toothpaste, making it difficult to flush. Occasionally this can be curative, but since the origin of the problem is very often related to dental disease, this will also need to be addressed. In some instances, palliation was achieved with antimicrobial treatment and surgical debridement of the abscess.13 However, because rabbits form caseous exudates within thick-walled pyogenic capsules, incomplete excision often leads to recurrence.13,30 The recommended treatment for retrobulbar abscesses includes exenteration of the orbit and enucleation to allow access to and debridement of the retrobulbar space.3 Other described approaches that have been used after dental extraction and aggressive surgical debridement include packing the abscess cavity with antimicrobial suspensions, gentamicin-soaked collagen material, clindamycin powder or perforated capsules, calcium hydroxide, antimicrobial-soaked bone matrix material such as hydroxyapatite, bioactive ceramics, antimicrobial-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads, or doxycycline-containing polymer gel.8,28,31-33 There is at least 1 case report28 in which use of an endoscope facilitated surgical debridement of an abscess cavity, but in that instance, the endoscope was used extraorally. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. 2005 Jan 15;130(2):50-3. Severe molar root intrusion can also be the cause of retrobulbar abscesses (i.e., abscesses located behind the eye . During this time subscribers will be able to start accessing subscribed content on CABI Digital Library and enjoy the platforms many benefits. Okayhere's the update. Jenkins JR. Rabbits. Treatment and outcome: Treatment: Orbital cellulites and retrobulbar abscess are treated similarly, as follows: Drainage via an incision is made through only the oral mucosa. A concurrent medical treatment . 2005 Jan 15;130(2):50-3. I'm sure she'll adapt with the one eye just fine. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. Our differential diagnoses for exophthalmia in a rabbit included retrobulbar mass (cheek teeth root abscess, lymphoma), glaucoma (primary or secondary) and thymoma. With the finally correct diagnosis, Holy has improved, her breathing got better. Accessibility Related Images. In these cases the abscess can be opened, cleaned out thoroughly and flushed with an antiseptic solution. House Rabbit Society Condemns Alleged Felony Rabbit Abuse at Peacebunny Cottage, Lessons Learned: On Two Decades of Rabbit Rescue, HRS Announces New President Laurie Gigous, Feed your rabbit a healthy diet, provide ample exercise and a clean, safe environment to minimize the formation of abscesses. The left maxillary second molar appeared to penetrate into the left retrobulbar space. Seeing your rabbit's eye suddenly protruding out further than it used to can be very confronting. If you're going to write an article, you're going to use the pic that's the most obvious and disgusting so that it is very clear what the rabbit's problem was and to encourage people to get their animals treated sooner rather than later. Physical and ophthalmic examinations 6 months after the surgery yielded no remarkable findings, and the rabbit weighed 1.4 kg (3.1 lb) and had a body condition score of 3/5. Their breathing and heart will stop within a minute or so, and they will gently slip away. Similar endoscopic techniques performed with an intraoral camera system have been reported in human and equine dentistry.29 In the rabbit of the present report, a 2.7-mm telescope permitted detailed examination and assisted in successful tooth extraction and abscess debridement. The rabbit weighed 1.0 kg (2.2 lb) and had a body condition score of 1.5/5. MRI: abscess dorsal from molar root tooth, Anaerobic bacteria are commonly isolated -, Yes please, I would like to read about future offers and latest news via email. Ophthalmic diseases. Diagnosis and management of a retrobulbar abscess of periapical origin in a domestic rabbit. Antimicrobials were flushed into the tooth abscess cavity, and antimicrobial treatment was initiated on the basis of cytologic findings and results of bacterial culture and susceptibility testing. Bacterial infection or abscessation - foreign bodies in young animals and dental disease in older animals; Fungal infection behind the eye - not common Durham, NC, USA. We aim to improve the lives of domestic rabbits through education, awareness, and rescue. Lobprise HB, Wiggs RB. The absence of angle in the straight telescope and rabbit oral cavity conformation enabled us to gain access to the bottom of the abscess cavity. He has a retrobulbar abscess which we will be removing soon but I've noticed that recently there began to appear egg-shaped droppings. There are many thoughts on how to treat rabbit abscesses and much depends on the location of the infection, the cause of the infection and the general condition of the bunny. These findings were consistent with severe dental disease3 (Figure 1). Clinical relevance: 2nd ed. Sign up now to start a free trial to access all Vetlexicon articles, images, sounds and videos, or Login, Want more related items, why not contact us, Infraorbital / mental nerve block landmarks: diagram, Use of supraglottic airway device (V-gel), Laparoscopy equipment: intra-operative position - diagram, Medial patella desmotomy/lateral retinacular imbrication: diagram, Lateral fabelloligament suture placement: diagram, Lateral fabellopatellar suture placement: diagram. Oxford, UK: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2002;292306. How will my vet diagnose a retrobulbar abscess. Crossley DA. Either way, the coagulopathy was discovered and the dog responded nicely to treatment, which is . Infectious Diseases Laboratory, University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, Ga. Bickford PC-2B, Bickford Inc, Wales Center, NY. In:Harcourt-Brown FM, ed.Textbook of rabbit medicine. Blackwell NJ. Dental abscess 03: surgical debridement. Disease at an early age may also be attributable to genetic maxillary brachygnathia (in dwarf and brachycephalic rabbit breeds).3,17,19 The most likely etiology of secondary malocclusion is a combination of husbandry-related deficiencies. J Small Anim Pract. In particular, successful treatment of a retrobulbar abscess in two rabbits by the "Septopal Mini-chain" is described. The owner was advised to monitor the rabbit's weight and have dental examinations repeated every 6 months. Access the worlds largest online veterinary resources, written by leading experts for 14 days. Rabbit incisors may wear differently depending on diet, and a pelleted diet may predispose the rabbit to dental disease. Mamoray cassette, Mamoray HDS, AGFA Corp, Greenville, SC. There are over 15,022,000 records available in CAB Direct | Last updated on March 3, 2023, In early 2023 CAB Abstracts, Global Health and CABIs Database Subsets are scheduled to begin their migrating journey to our new platform CABI Digital Library. It is also posssible to aspirate material from the abscess and test it for bacteria in order to make a diagnosis of infection rather than tumour, and also to choose the best antibiotics as treatment. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! In the following article different methods are presented by which an enucleation of the bulbus can be avoided. Endoscopic examination yielded visual confirmation of a cavity, and maxillary and dental elements were visible through the gingival defect. Use of collagen shields for treatment of chronic bilateral corneal ulcers in a pet rabbit. Continuously growing dentition predisposes rabbits to development and persistence of dental problems.13-15 Dental disease in pet rabbits can be staged.3,16,17 The precise etiology of dental disease in pet rabbits is still unknown and is likely to be multifactorial and include genetic, dietary, metabolic, traumatic, and infectious components.17,18 Dental disease can be caused by primary (inherited) or secondary (acquired) malocclusion. Dr. Martnez-Jimnez's present address is Lawndale Veterinary Hospital, 4314 Lawndale Dr, Greensboro, NC 27455. 15 synonyms for abscess: boil, infection, swelling, blister, ulcer . Abnormal ocular or oculonasal discharge can also develop as a consequence of the eye irritation and the rabbit may show signs of discomfort such as excessive blinking and grinding teeth. Download Free PDF . Rosenthal KL. Appreciate species differences in ocular anatomy . Swabs from the abscess were collected instead of a biopsy specimen because swab specimens have also been found to be valuable diagnostically.34 In an earlier study34 of dental abscesses in pet rabbits, the etiologic agents often included a mixture of anaerobic gram-negative rods (especially Fusobacterium nucleatum); anaerobic gram-positive, nonspore-forming rods (predominantly Actinomyces spp); and aerobic gram-positive cocci (particularly the Streptococcus milleri group).34 Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus spp were not isolated from mandibular and maxillary abscesses in that study, but other etiologic agents have been isolated from orbital abscesses in rabbits that were not reported.28 In humans, P aeruginosa and Enterococcus spp have been implicated in orbital abscesses.35 Given the favorable response to surgical and medical treatment, it was concluded that these organisms were the true etiologic agents and that the approach was successful in obtaining a representative sample. Copy this link, or click below to email it to a friend. Capello V. Other diagnostics. In:Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, ed.Ferret, rabbits, and rodents: clinical medicine and surgery. This is usually associated with inflammation and infection of the tissues behind the eye. Volume 41, Issue 7. This image shows the left upper arcade of cheek teeth in the mouth of a rabbit with a retrobulbar abscess affecting the left eye. Even with intense medical management and surgical debridement, the prognosis is generally guarded for rabbits with retrobulbar abscesses because of abscess reccurrence secondary to incomplete removal of the abscess wall.36 In the rabbit of the present report, no signs of retrobulbar disease were detected 1 year after treatment. My little bad rabbit had her right eye removed about two weeks ago. The effect of the abscess (es) will depend on the location and the organs affected. Lake Worth, Fla: Zoological Education Network Inc, 2005;109110. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 2002;5:341356. I am glad you got the abscess treated and sadly lost the eye in the process (a very common situation). but don't forget the original cause of the abscess may still exist (frequently overgrown tooth roots from a diet lacking enough fiber or too many pellets and other non-hay/grass items). A mixed population with gram-positive and gram-negative bacilli and many degenerative polymorphonuclear cells was detected, consistent with bacterial infection. Aneta Gralak. 2023 American Veterinary Medical Association. If the abscess was only lanced and drained, then antibiotic therapy might continue for weeks to months. There are many investigations that are possible to perform in order to make a diagnosis of retrobulbar abscess; the first is the a physical examination. One week after surgery, results of bacterial culture of the abscess fluid revealed light growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and very light growth of Enterococcus spp. bImage of the eye and retrobulbar area 4 weeks after surgery. Continuing to use www.cabdirect.org official website and that any information you provide is encrypted 2011 Jul;52(7):380-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2011.01077.x. 24 Survival . The rabbit was hospitalized for supportive care overnight and was scheduled for elective surgery for tooth removal and abscess debridement the following day. The long-term use of topical and systemic antibiotic preparations and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication is discussed. Intraocular pressuree was 14 and 13 mm Hg in the right and left eye, respectively. Frequent questions. In many cases, enucleation is required to access the diseased tissues. It depends on the underlying cause. Can Vet J 2002;43:385390. Abscesses may develop in the subcutaneous cellular tissue, in muscles, bones, and so forth, as well as in organs (such as the liver, lungs, spleen, and brain) or between them (interintestinal abscesses, subphrenic . It will often be necessary to perform diagnostic tests to investigate the cause of the abscess and to determine if other disease is present. Three days later, surgical access to the abscess was obtained by incising over the swelling on the right-hand side of the face and dissecting through the soft tissues to a 5-mm pathologic decit on the lateral aspect of the max-illa. cView of cavity debridement being performed with an angled curette. In:Jenkins JR, Brown SA, ed.A practitioner's guide to rabbits and ferrets. Surgery allows complete removal of the abscess and a thorough flushing of the cavity to ensure that none of the exudate is left within it. } Hence, a rabbit that presents for primarily ophthalmologic signs such as epiphora or exophthalmus should receive a full dental examination. It depends on the underlying cause.