My bunny has cancer! I need input!

[Erin1226]

I noticed a very large lump under the right front leg (kinda like his armpit)on my 10 year old bunny Cookie.  I took him to a local vet and he said it was a cancerous tumor and that he cannot do much.  He tried to take fluid out of it and nothing came out.  That is when he concluded he is almost positive it is a cancerous tumor, but put Cookie on an antibiotic just incase it is an infection (slight chance).  The vet says there really aren’t too many options. Cookie has had ear/eye infections on and off since August and has been on and off eye/ear drops since August.  The large tumor literally came up out of no where.  I was at the vet February 8 and he did not notice it, and it is rather large.  I am putting antibiotic ear drops in his ears after cleaning the pus out and giving him an oral antibiotic.  He is still happy and eating a lot! He isn’t as active, but still constantly runs around. I only started taking him to the vet this past year because of the ear and eye problems.  He has been a great, loving bunny with barely any health problems! 

 

 I just would like to hear some opinions/ input on what to do.  I’m rather upset about the whole situation, but I know he is a very adult bunny. Anything will help. Thank you!

[LBJ10]

Is there somewhere you can go for a second opinion? Then again he IS 10 years old. I suppose a fast growing mass has a high likelihood of being cancer, especially considering his age. I don’t have any experience with senior bunnies, but there are several people on here that do. I suppose if he is healthy enough, the tumor could be removed. But at that point, you may question whether it is worth it to put him through that. Sorry I can’t be of more help.

[Erin1226]

Thank you for your help. I think I am going to try to see another vet to get another opinion!

[jerseygirl]

Here are some rabbit savvy vet listings. I think definitely worth a second opinion too.

http://www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

http://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Category:United_States

[Erin1226]

Thank yous! And do you know anything about cephelexin and orally giving it to bunnies? the vet prescribed 1 ml twice a day orally, just in case it is a tumor and not an infection, but I’m reading online it is unsafe to give him because of dirrehea.. I have given him two doses and i see no dirrhea but im feeding him yogurt daily too

[jerseygirl]

I’m not absolutely certain but I don’t think it is that safe to give orally.
We had a thread recently where someone’s rabbit didnt do well on it but did recover.
Did the vet also recommend yogurt?

I’d ring the clinics of one if the rabbit-savvy vets and ask.

[jerseygirl]

OK, according to medirabbit.com it is on unsafe list to give orally. As you said, can cause diarrhea.

This provides a bit of information if the wrong antibiotic has been given.
http://www.medirabbit.com/Unsafe_medication/Unsafe_treatment.htm

Rather then yogurt, I’d try Bene-bac paste or some other probiotic.
Diarrhea is still a risk.
{{{Vibes}}} for your bunny.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m sorry to hear about your bunny’s situation. My bunny recently passed from gastro cancer. For most of his illness, I was in the same situation as you; the vet was pretty sure it was cancer, but there was a slight chance it was something else. It’s a very difficult situation.

If there is another vet you can see, I would go for it. Not knowing is hard.

Cancer can grow very quickly in rabbits. Your bunny seems to still be in great spirits so that’s a positive sign.

[Beka27]

If you get a second opinion and the second vet says that it is cancer and surgery is a possibility, will you go through with the surgery for him? This is a question only you can answer. The answer to that might determine whether or not I even sought out a second opinion. At his age, and the rate at which this has spread, it sounds like it is very aggressive. I believe in providing vet care for pets, but I also feel that people should be realistic and work within their limits.

Keep us posted on what you decide.

[meow1]

I totally agree on a second opinion. Did the vet take an x-ray? Did he comment on what type of cancer it may be? You said he tried to take fluid sample but couldn’t…could it be bone cancer? My dog was diagnosed with bone cancer 8 months ago. You just can’t take a fluid sample from bone. Anyway, keep us posted!

[Sarita]

It sounds like this vet does not have rabbit experience and I would seek in this case a second opinion as well since you don’t seem confident about his opinion anyway.

I have 3 ten year old rabbits as well and I totally agree with what Beka said and that is what I would do.

[Feathery]

Posted By Beka27 on 03/07/2013 04:43 AM

If you get a second opinion and the second vet says that it is cancer and surgery is a possibility, will you go through with the surgery for him? This is a question only you can answer. The answer to that might determine whether or not I even sought out a second opinion. At his age, and the rate at which this has spread, it sounds like it is very aggressive. I believe in providing vet care for pets, but I also feel that people should be realistic and work within their limits.

Keep us posted on what you decide.

I think Beka has made a really important comment and a very realistic scenario that all pet owners have to consider.  In your case Erin, I would consider all my options and how far I would go in each option.  If it is cancer, it is very difficult to treat.  Even after surgery, it has a likelihood of coming back.  

I will be sending positive vibes to you and your rabbit and wishing you the best! 

[Velvet]

I’m sorry to hear this, wishing you the best. We had a dog about 10 years ago. She started getting a lump on her right side along her rib cage. when she was about 5yo. Took her to the vet and she said it was a benine tumor or cyst. By the time she was put down she was about 15yo, and that lump looking down at her from above, the RH side bulged out about 6-9 inches more that the LH side, and was about a foot from from front to back, it was VERY noticable. So, I’m praying for you that it is exactly what our dog had a benine tumor.

 

Our dog was a Springer Spanial?Lab mix but this bulge was like 1/2 of an NFL size footbal on her ribs.  Good Luck, I would get a second opinion also. Being that old it could just be a cyst.

[Erin1226]

The vet reccommended the yogurt because Cookie was experiencing some dirhea before any of these other problems occurred ( I think it was because he was eating too much lettuce).  I stopped giving him the antibiotic and the  yogurt today and am going to a rabbit vet tomorrrow.  I reallly appreciate your help! thank you so much

[Erin1226]

Thank you all so much for trying to help. The vet really did no tests on him. The only thing he did was stick the needle in the tumor to see what would come out, and nothing came out. Just blood after the needle came out. I stopped the antibitotics (after 2 doses) and stopped giving him yogurt because I do not want to give him anymore problems.

Cookie is doing well today. He is hopping around and eating lots of carrots and food. His breathing is still nasally and he is sitting with his right arm out to the side because the lump/tumor is so large it gets in the way. I plan on taking him to an rabbit vet tomorrow (Jefferson animal hopsital in Port Jefferson, NY). in hopes that the vet will have more answers. I wouldn’t consider doing surgery on Cookie because of his age and the amount of stress it would put on him. I wouldn’t want to cause him that stress

Does anyone know anything about doxicylin for rabbits? I read somewhere that it can help tumors.

I still have hope and you guys are making me feel better! I have been so upset since Tuesday and cannot stop cuddling with him. I really appreciate your input.

[jerseygirl]

Good luck at the vet and please keep us updated.

Another possibility is abscess. Rabbit pus is thick and wouldn’t come out by lancing through a needle. They can also be fast growing.

{{{Cookie}}}

[LittlePuffyTail]

Good luck at the vet!

[Erin1226]

hello all! So Cookie had another trip to the vet today. The vet was extremely knowlegdeable and explained a lot to me. He too believes it is lymphoma cancer and found 4 tumors starting to form He did a need aspirate and sent it to the lab to try to ffind out what it is and also blood work. Cookie is still in a great mood today and running around like crazy. Hopfully by monday the lab results will come in and I can start giving him something to help. I will keep you updated with what else the vet says and in case i need your help again. Thank you so much again for your input

[jerseygirl]

Thanks for the update Erin. I’m really sorry it’s still looking like cancer. I hope you get a diagnosis soon so you can plan how to help Cookie.
It’s nice to hear he seems to be in good spirits. : )

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m sorry for that update too. Glad to hear Cookies is still a happy bunny.

[Erin1226]

The vet put cookie on Presnidone in hopes to shrink the tumors and pepcid daily.. Cookie has been responding fine to it, but now he has a little dirrahea.. Do you recommend anything to give him?

[tanlover14]

Just popping into this thread – I have no experience with older bun buns or tumors – but I just wanted to let you know I’m keeping you and Cookie in my thoughts. <3 I'm glad to hear he is still living a happy life despite this illness. Keep us updated on your boy! You're a great bunny parent – he's lucky to have you!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Have you mentioned to the vet about the diarrhea?

[jerseygirl]

Thats a good idea LPT. Erin, are you able to ring your vet on this? They are in best position to advise regarding his dosage.

By diarrhea, do you mean very loose, watery poo or more sticky and dark poo?

[Sarita]

Rabbits are very sensitive to steroids which is what prednisone is – I would ring the doctor about your concerns.

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