a confusing and RARE cancer diagnosis

[Sarah]

Hi everyone. I’m a new member here reaching out for some help and information. I have a 1 year old mini lop named Rupert who is the love of my life. Sadly, he was just diagnosed with a cutaneous hemangiosarcoma (a cancer seen almost exclusively in dogs and never in rabbits- my vet and I were able to find 1 study with no information about the outcome and the tumor type was different). We are in the process of getting a referral to an oncologist and tossing around the possibility that this is an incorrect diagnosis (as a nurse I know this happens in people) seeing as how this type of growth just doesn’t happen in rabbits. I’m wondering if anyone here has dealt with this type of cancer in their bunny or know of anyone who has and can help shed some light. It’s made an extremely heartbreaking and difficult time even worse just having absolutely no clue where the path goes. Also, any and all prayers and good vibes are so very much appreciated. Thanks guys!

[Wick & Fable]

I have sent you a PM.

I am not personally experienced and not even through degrees of relations either, but I have found some more beyond one study and I hope this helps you and your vet.

If you haven’t already, it may be good just to shoot an email to all vets in your area to see if anyone has some input or experience!

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[kurottabun]

Sending you some vibes xx

I haven’t heard of anything like you mentioned, but it’s worth getting a second opinion especially since it seems so uncommon.

[LBJ10]

Curious… what does the lesion (I’m assuming their is a lesion) look like? And how did they make the diagnosis? From what I’ve seen in dogs, the tumors look somewhat similar to a keratinized rabbit papilloma. Could it just be a papilloma? They are pretty common in rabbits.

Sending well wishes your way regardless!

[Sarah]

It was on his right hip/abdomen area and it was about the size of a halved chickpea and really didn’t change in size during the month that he had it.  It was dark red/blue/black in color and rather wart-like in texture feel.  The vet who performed his surgery (who has been in the field for several decades and seen these types of tumors in dogs) was almost certain that it was benign and absolutely nothing to worry about which is another part of the reason I am so shocked, confused, and wondering if its a misdiagnosis (please dear god!).  From the little I’ve read its sounds like cutaneous lesions that hasn’t spread viscerally can be cured with complete excision which is what Rupert got- in fact the vet actually opened him up and looked subcutaneously to see if there were any stalks or other weird spots and saw nothing.  He was also seen by a vet a few days before to examine it and they did a complete look over and felt nothing weird in his abdomen suggestive of the primary tumor source being spleen or liver and I have to believe if he had large tumors in his lungs he wouldn’t be acting like his normal misbehaving self.  At this point I’m just praying like I have never prayed before that his x-rays come back clean and the fact that it’s a slower grower in a young healthy bunny that was gotten to quickly will work in our favor and it won’t have had the opportunity to spread.  Man alive I need some Ativan!

[Nina]

Hi Sarah,

Just wanted to send you some healing vibes and prayers.  This must be such a scary and stressful time for you.  Please know that you are not alone, and keep us updated.  I hope that the x-ray comes back clean!

Hugs,

Nina

 

[LBJ10]

Your description does sound like a papilloma and the vet initially said they felt it was benign. I do hope that that is the case! Did they sent it to the lab? If the x-rays come back clear, then it’s highly likely that whatever it was did not spread (or was the result of something spreading from somewhere else). Keep us updated on the results!

[Sarah]

I spoke with the Vet today who said it is unlikely that it was misdiagnosed (it was also unlikely that Rupert had cancer and this cancer at that so ya know) but he’s going to refer me to an oncologist.  He’s more optimistic about Rupert’s prognosis and that if it truly is just cutaneous then the surgery alone could be curative which is somewhat comforting but I’m just so terrified that it’s been there for longer than just the month I knew about it and so it has already spread.  I am beyond anxious for his x-rays tomorrow and waiting until Monday to get the results may just kill me.  I’m just not done loving my baby yet- 1 year just isn’t enough time. 

[Bunny House]

Keep us updated ❤️

[jerseygirl]

{{{Rupert}}}

Hope you get a definitive diagnosis. Something other then hemangiosarcoma, preferably!

[Sofia]

Sending love and vibes (((Rupert)))

[Sarah]

It’s x-ray day and I am just sick about it.  Waiting until Monday to get the results is going to kill me.  AHHHHHHHHHHH!!

[LBJ10]

I know it’s hard not to think about. Just try to enjoy his company over the weekend and hopefully you will have good news on Monday.

[Sarah]

By some miracle (and I have to believe it is a good sign from the universe) they got the radiology report back today and HIS SCANS ARE ALL CLEAR!!!!!!! We will do more X-rays in 6 months and at a year in addition to monitoring for new dermal lesions ( vet said usually they get them within 3 months if they are going to get another one). The vet feels that due to catching it early and confirmation of complete excision that we can be cautiously optimistic that surgery was curative and he is cancer free and will be just fine. I cannot thank you all enough for the prayers and good vibes because it appears they are working so please keep them coming that this truly is the end of this nightmare.

On a happy note, after realizing how amazing being a bunny mom is I had been thinking about getting another bunny for several months and my husband and I felt that the good news was another sign from the universe that we are meant to be bunny parents so we adopted another bunny today so that we can give another sweet bun a good life and loving home. He is a lion-lop and we have named him Oliver-he is settling in nicely.

[LBJ10]

Yay! That’s wonderful news! Congrats to you, Rupert… and now Oliver too!

[Nina]

Oh my gosh, this is GREAT!!!  So happy to hear this news!  

Sending you, Rupert, and new bunny Oliver lots of hugs.

Nina

[LittlePuffyTail]

Yay! Both great news!!!

[Sofia]

Wonderful news!

[Author]

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