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Rabbit Osteomyelitis and Thymoma Management for Queen's Patient at Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic

  • Writer: angela5591
    angela5591
  • Dec 22, 2025
  • 2 min read

Rabbit Toe Amputation & Osteomyelitis


Species: Rabbit (Age 10) Location: Queens, NY


Rabbit Osteomyelitis and Thymoma Management for Queens Patient at Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic


Geriatric rabbits, specifically those over the age of 8, often face complex health challenges that require a delicate balance of surgical intervention and long-term medical management. Recently, we treated a distinguished 10-year-old rabbit from Queens, NY, proving that age is just a number when expert care is available.


The Patient: A Complex Medical History


The rabbit was already a regular patient at our Great Neck facility, where we were successfully managing a Thymoma (a chest tumor) with a protocol of oral chemotherapy and steroids. The patient was stable and happy. However, the rabbit presented for a new issue: significant swelling of the right front paw.

The Diagnosis: Deep Bone Infection


Physical exams can only tell us so much. We performed digital radiographs (X-rays) to see beneath the fur and skin.

  • Osteomyelitis: The imaging revealed a severe infection of the bone in the fourth digit.

  • Bone Loss: The infection was aggressive, causing complete bone loss in the toe.

Antibiotics alone cannot fix dead, infected bone. The risk of sepsis (infection spreading to the blood) was high.


The Treatment: Surgical Solution


Operating on a 10-year-old rabbit with a chest tumor is considered high-risk. However, our team specializes in high-risk exotic anesthesia.

  • Amputation: We performed a toe amputation to remove the source of the infection.

  • Safety: We utilized a specialized anesthesia protocol to monitor the patient's oxygenation and heart rate, accounting for the thymoma.

Recovery


The surgery was a complete success. The rabbit recovered well and returned home to Queens. The patient continues medical management for the thymoma, now free from the pain and danger of the foot infection.


FAQs

  • Is anesthesia safe for older rabbits? We take every precaution. By using advanced monitoring and species-specific drugs, we successfully perform surgery on geriatric rabbits regularly.

  • What is a Thymoma? It is a tumor in the chest cavity. While serious, many rabbits live good lives for a long time with proper medical management (medication) to slow, and in many cases, reduce its growth.

Contact Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic:

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