Tumours spread to lungs

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 19sd replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 2 months ago by jerseygirl.

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- 02/02/2018 at 4:55 PM
  Dumbo the Bunny
  Participant
  20 posts
  So I was at the vet yesterday. We were at the vet on Tuesday and Dumbo was diagnosed with GI stasis, but I was worried about her rapid breathing which didn’t really subside with the pain meds. And yesterday we did an X-ray and apparently the lungs were all cloudy or something like that so they couldn’t really see exactly where it had spread. But the vet thought that Dumbo should be put to sleep soon to end her suffering. We have an appointment on Monday.
  
  I am having a really hard time coping. Especially since Dumbo has really perked up. It seems the GI stasis has resolved itself. She didn’t want to drink water on her own for a couple of days but now she does. She eats everything and pees and poops. The problem is her breathing which at some moments slows down, but most of the time is very fast. She has always been a very calm breather, so this is really a difference. And she snores, so instead of the calm wheezing sounds it’s much quicker and makes me panic a bit. I don’t want her to suffer so if putting her to sleep on Monday is the only way then I will do it. I’m just grasping at straws here and thought I would ask if you think there is anything to do to prolong her life a little bit more.
  
  I have no idea how I am suppose to cope with this, she’s been my best friend for seven and a half years, my heart is in pieces.
- 02/02/2018 at 7:22 PM
  Muchelle
  Participant
  1141 posts
  I’m so sorry you have to go through this with your Dumbo. I don’t want to question the vet’s diagnosis, but generally what is said about when deciding to let a pet go is to check their quality of life. Does she seems like she’s still enjoying life? Is she still doing her bunny things? Does she still enjoy company? Does she seem in pain, exceedingly lethargic or uncomfortable?
  
  If you think she’s still got some life to live enjoyably you could make an agreement with the vet that you will bring her in whenever is necessary and not simply by appointment, or you could suggest to suspend that for now and see how she comes about in the next days. There are palliative cures for animals too, so you could discuss that route with the vet to help her breathing in the meanwhile.
  
  Sadly, this decision is something we can’t help with, only you can judge her since you know her very well. Whatever will be that you’ll decide, keep in mind that she’s been loved and that you’ve done all you could for her. And we will be here for you too.
- 02/02/2018 at 9:23 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17244 posts
  I’m so sorry to hear about Dumbo. It must be heart breaking.
  
  If she isn’t spayed, then the lung tumors would make sense. The lungs are one of the first places where uterine cancer spreads to. Unfortunately, there isn’t much that can be done. But I do agree with Muchelle. You should look at her quality of life before making any decisions. Only you will know what is right for her.
- 02/03/2018 at 3:13 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17035 posts
  I’m so very sorry about Dumbo. I’m so sorry the cancer had already spread. Muchelle and LBJ have already suggested discussing palliative measures with your vet. I wish I had any suggestions for you, but I don’t. Pain medication is important, maybe there’s something to help her make better use of what little oxygen she can get into her lungs. Buns can have decongestants and bronchodilators. You should talk to your vet, it’s very important for future peace of mind to have made sure no stone has been left unturned.
- 02/03/2018 at 5:06 AM
  meridiian
  Participant
  157 posts
  This is heartbreaking to read. Bam said it best “it’s very important for future peace of mind to have made sure no stone has been left unturned.”
  
  This is so sad, if she isnt obviously in pain does a decision have to be made so soon?
  
  Whatever decision you make for your friend, it will be a decision from your heart since Dumbo is so clearly loved and cherished and you want what is best for her.
  
  (((Dumbo))) xx
- 02/03/2018 at 7:58 AM
  Dumbo the Bunny
  Participant
  20 posts
  I did call the vet’s office today. She’s not in today so the nurse said she would call me Monday morning to discuss what we would do. Since Dumbo’s better after the GI stasis she has seemed really well. I made a little ramp for her so she could get up on the bed without having to jump up on it but yesterday evening she ignored her ramp and just jumped up. She also played with the toy I made her and hopped around the flat as per usual, and she loves cuddles. She doesn’t show the usual signs of pain, like grinding her teeth, she is on pain meds right now just in case. But I do feel like she really still does enjoy life, so I will do everything I can to prolong her life. Like you said “no stone left unturned”. I will ask the vet about palliative measures and if there is anything to help with her breathing. I have checked in on her breathing once in a while, counted how many breaths per minute she takes. Yesterday I counted to 84 during a minute which she breathed very fast, otherwise it was around 70. Today it’s actually between 50-60, which doesn’t exceed the regular bpm for a rabbit.
  
  When we were at the vet’s on Thursday she was worse and also very stressed, as she always is at the vet’s, so of course she breathed much faster. I am hopeful that we can at least have some more time together. I can work from home next week and maybe for longer, so I will be with her all the time and constantly be able to know how she is doing. Right now, every extra day I get with her is very precious.
- 02/03/2018 at 1:12 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17244 posts
  If she seems to be doing OK right now, then I would just take it one day at a time. I’m sure there are some options for making her as comfortable as possible.
- 02/03/2018 at 11:35 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Your profile pic is so cute. She’s a beautiful girl!
  
  Im very sorry you are facing this heartbreaking decision. She’s been through a lot these past few months.
  It’s surprising but so good that you’ve seen an improvement in her since Thursday! Could the pain med eased some inflammation perhaps? Did the vet think to haziness in the lung could be possibly due to anything else -ie. like pneumonia ?
- 02/04/2018 at 6:37 AM
  meridiian
  Participant
  157 posts
  Thank you for adding a pic of Dumbo. What a gorgeous girl!
  
  Sounds like she is a brave girl and wants to enjoy as much of life as she can. Hope it turns out that way for both of you!
  
  xx
- 02/04/2018 at 6:40 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17035 posts
  She really is beautiful! I so hope it could “just” be pneumonia, that’s of course treatable with antibiotics and Bricanyl. It’s lovely that she is feeling better.
- 02/04/2018 at 11:40 AM
  Dumbo the Bunny
  Participant
  20 posts
  Thank you everyone! Yes, she is very cute, all my friends have fallen in love with her when they’ve met her
  
  The vet didn’t say anything about pneumonia, I will ask her tomorrow why she ruled it out or didn’t mention it. Dumbo is doing really well today, but needs to rest more than usual due to the breathing problem. But she sure hasn’t lost her appetite! I wonder if Bricanyl would help with the breathing, just like a short time solution, so that we could get a bit more time.
  
  It’s so hard to make a decision, because I feel like I always make the wrong decision. I do want to spend a bit more time with her, but I also want her to pass away peacefully and without having to go through a lot of pain and the deal I have with the vet is that she would come home to us, so Dumbo won’t have to go through the stress of going to a vet, which I really appreciate.
- 02/04/2018 at 5:51 PM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  I’m sorry for what you and your beautiful bun are going through. I also have a beloved bunny who probably doesn’t have much time left. ((((Hugs)))) I know exactly how you are feeling, the questions are so hard.
- 02/14/2018 at 12:34 PM
  Dumbo the Bunny
  Participant
  20 posts
  Hi,
  
  just thought I would make an update. Unfortunately there was nothing we could do to prolong Dumbo’s life. There wasn’t anything that could help with the breathing and the last days she started to show signs of pain. She over groomed and started to pull out her fur and grinded her teeth quite a lot, so the vet came last Tuesday to put her to sleep. It’s almost as if she felt something was up because she actually perked up a bit the last day and we spent the whole day together, she didn’t even go to her usual spot to be left alone to sleep for a while, but instead slept in my bedroom while I petted her. The vet said she didn’t notice the last shot she got. I hope that’s true. I was with her to the end. I am having quite a difficult time coping without her and I miss her so so much.
- 02/14/2018 at 12:36 PM
  Dumbo the Bunny
  Participant
  20 posts
  I also wanted to say that I regret that I found this forum so late in Dumbo’s life. I have gotten so much help and support from the members of Binkybunny. It really is a lovely and helpful and supporting community.
- 02/14/2018 at 12:50 PM
  tobyluv
  Participant
  3312 posts
  I’m very sorry about the loss of your sweet Dumbo. She knew that she was loved and that you and the vet were doing everything to help her. It’s good that you got to spend the day with her, sharing your love.
- 02/14/2018 at 12:53 PM
  pinknfwuffy
  Participant
  660 posts
  I’m sorry for your loss. You clearly did everything you could, including taking care of her and loving her through those tough moments. We’re glad you were able to share your story here with us and will be here for you. Binky free, sweet Dumbo.
- 02/15/2018 at 4:55 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17035 posts
  I’m sorry for your loss. I’m glad you got that day together and that you got to be there when she fell asleep forever. You tried really hard.
  
  Binky free, sweetest little ****Dumbo****
- 02/15/2018 at 5:58 AM
  Sirius&Luna
  Participant
  2320 posts
  I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m glad you got to spend a last day with her, and she got to feel very loved in her last moments.
  
  Binky free Dumbo <3
- 02/15/2018 at 11:43 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17244 posts
  Oh, how sad. I’m sorry for your loss. It sounds like she was very loved and she knew it.
- 02/18/2018 at 6:49 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Im am very sorry. xx That last day sounds very special and I wouldn’t be surprised if it were her gift to you.
  ***Binky Free, Dumbo!***
  
  If you like or think it may help you, please do share any stories about her and photos. We’d still love to hear about your precious girl.
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