My rabbit has a swollen nipple that doesn't hurt. Is it a tumor?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Gabi. I would recommend that he returns to the veterinarian for a procedure known as a fine needle aspirate. A small needle is used to collect a sample of cells from the mass. The cells are then evaluated under the microscope. The goal is to determine the type of mass and if it appears cancerous or not. This is not an emergency, but you will want to have him evaluated soon as he developed a second mass. I hope this information helps!

Female rabbits have 4-5 pairs of mammary glands on their ventrum/underside. The most common issue with rabbit mammary glands would be mastitis in nursing does which would present as mammary glands that are painful, red or hot to the touch. If any of these symptoms are noted, a trip to your veterinarian is recommended for an antibiotic that is safe for rabbits (not all of them are). Oxbow Critical care for Herbivores would be beneficial for supportive care as well. If you have a different question re: rabbit mammary glands, please let us know!

This kind of lump/growth needs to be ideally assessed by your veterinarian to have a definitive and specific answer. Usually there are two ways your vet can do that a part from examining it directly during physical examination. A biopsy can be taken under local or general anesthetic, otherwise a smaller sample through a fine needle can be aspirated (this technique is called FNA= fine needle aspiration). Differentials include skin cysts, infections, benign or more sinister type of tumors. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

The best thing is to gently feel the lump and figure out how big it is ( for example, as big as a cherry pit, or measure it if you can. Write this down and then measure it again a week later. If it has grown, you should take your rabbit to a veterinarian as it could be a tumor or a cyst or an abscess. If it does not grow and does not ooze nor the skin starts to turn red, then I would not worry about it, and only show it to your vet the next time you take Albie in for an exam or vaccinations.

I am very sorry to hear about Stanley. It sounds like she definitely needs to visit the veterinarian. In a rabbit with a swelling like this we worry very much about an abscess, or pocket of infection under the skin. This can be especially common in rabbits with dental issues, such as overgrown teeth (which it sounds like your bunny is suffering from). She needs to see the vet not only to address the abscess (which may require the vet to open and drain and then prescribe antibiotics) but also to address the teeth which may require trimming to allow her to eat normally. If untreated the condition can progress and lead to a painful death as the rabbit eventually becomes unable to eat.

I'm concerned about this. I see that Mooshie isn't spayed, which leaves her susceptible to mammary tumors. In cats, 90% of mammary tumors are malignant. This could be the beginning of a tumor. Please have her seen by a vet for this.

This lump needs to be checked and analysed as there are many conditions and types of tumors that could look like that. take him to the vet, they will perform a fine needle aspiration on the growth and send it to the lab for analysis. when the result comes, the vet will advise what needs to be done according to the diagnosis.