bunny tumor on liver

[bunny06]

i found out today my 12 yr old bunny midnite may have a tumor on his liver he has been biting constantly and seems to have an almost constant erection when i am around he was acting like this before he was fixed 12 yrs ago we did an ultrasound it does not look good. but he is acting fine otherwise, i don’t know my head is spinning it was one of the worse days of my life, he is eating drinking running around does not seem to be in pain. can the vet be wrong. she said a mass 50 50 chance its cancer. at 12 yrs old i don’t really want to put him through a biopsy and we cannot seem to get blood from him the fact that he is acting fine has me very confused. if i lose him i don’t know what i will do. rescue bunny we found him outside.little guy under 3lb 

[jerseygirl]

Oh im sorry to hear this. {{{{{Midnite}}}}}

Looking at an older thread you made, I see you mentioned the biting and sexual behaviours before. I does make me wonder if he has something affecting his adrenal or pituitary glands. I suppose the biting could be a bit of a coping mechanism if he does have some discomfort.
Does your vet think he would need any medication to deal with any possible pain due to the tumour? Or to suppress the growth?

How has the vet attempted to draw blood so far? Getting it from the back leg vein can work well. I saw a vet do this for my older rabbit and it was quite effective. She just shaved a bit of fur off the outside of his leg, then popped his leg just off the table while I held him still (other 3 legs on table). The gravity helped get the sample.

At 12, I would focus on just making sure he remains comfortable, if it were my rabbit. I wouldn’t want to put him through biopsy either.

[bunny06]

he thanks so much that was why we took the ultrasound we thought that is what it was for sure. but there was nothing on the adrenal gland but a mass on the liver showed up. i am just confused if he is in pain why is he eating drinking hopping around i would think he would be hunched over like he was when he had stasis a few times i knew he was sick he is not acting that sick.

As far as blood we tried twice no luck its very hard but i am going to try again i would think that would tell the liver function they can do an xray to see if it spread but for $400 is that worth it if it spread then what. We did try pain meds we thought it maybe his teeth but that did nothing.

[Wick & Fable]

Some rabbits are different at expressing discomfort and pain. Wick gets discomfort from his teeth every 5weeks, but he never stops eating. He just pees wherever he wants and gets mad easier (high kicks). Sending vibes!!

The liver function test would be beneficial. Would consulting to another vet to attempt the draw potentially be helpful? As a phlebotomist myself (for humans, not rabbits), I can say different people have slightly different techniques to approach more difficult draws.

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.

[bunny06]

another vet did try they even put him under but i am going to bring him again for blood that would be helpful

[LittlePuffyTail]

Sorry to hear this. I was in a similar position. My vet was convinced my elder bunny, Stormy, had gi cancer. We had no way to know 100%. He was acting normal until a few months later. But keep in mind, that bunnies can hide their pain/discomfort well so just because he is eating and active does not mean there is nothing going on. It’s a hard situation for sure.

[bunny06]

they are prey animals too so they hide their pain.  I am just hoping they are wrong but I know in my heart its prob not good. I did get good news on my 19 yr old cat so that makes me happy she is on home fluids for her kidneys and her counts went down. I could not take any more bad news.

this is just heartbreaking but I am ready for another one. I just love him so much.

[bunny06]

12 yrs for a rabbit is a pretty good life I am trying to tell myself I never thought he would live this long but of course its not long enough

[LittlePuffyTail]

No matter how long we have them, it’s never long enough. But you are right, for sure. 12 years is a very good life for a rabbit. I’ve never had a bunny make it that old and my bunnies get the absolute best care at home and at the vets.

[bunny06]

i keep telling myself that but its not working very well. you go so attached to them. when the time comes we are talking about getting another one. i love the little holland lops. i like the smaller breeds better. midnite was a rescue bunny we found him outside.

[BuffyBuns]

Hi..I came across your post because I searched the forum for others with a bunny with a suspected liver tumor and found yours. I hope your bunny is still doing well in spite of the possible finding. My bunny was also found to have a likely tumor on her liver felt by the vet at her annual check up. She is at least 11 years old . She’s acting fine, eating lots , running around , chewing /shredding her cardboard castle ..pooping fine etc it’s very upsetting and now feel like I’m having to just wait and watch . Vet said she doesn’t know she has this and is fine for now . Nothing can be done and any attempt at diagnostics would only be for an FYI and not for treatment purposes and would only stress her in the process . So I am just letting her be and live out her life as the vet advised . She looks great esp for her age ..this is hard to know and now to just have to wait and see . Anyway ,thought I’d connect here ..hope your bunny is feeling good .

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