Liver Torsion

[Karrakov]

I just took Benny to the vet monday and today we got his blood work back. He has been acting normal aside from not flopping very much but he has lost substantial weight in a short amount of time. His xrays look great but his blood work indicates liver torsion. My vet told me that he should go for an ultrasound to confirm ($500-600) and then possible surgery ($5000). He could be treated medically with syringe feeding and fluids and meds, but she told me that only 50% of rabbits treated that way survive. Benny is only a year and half old and means the world to me. I don’t know what to do. I’m a college student and have essentially no money. I live at home and commute to school, I work a part time minimum wage job once a week on my day off between school and internships so it’s hard for me to pay thousands of dollars for something. My parents are in no financial position to help. At the same time how could I possibly not treat Benny? Does anyone have experience, opinion, anything?? What would you do? I’m heart broken and confused. Benny has gotten me through the roughest year of my life and I can’t bear that he is sick, especially this extreme. 

[Wick & Fable]

I’m sorry to hear about this. Unfortunately I cannot give directions advice, but the following page actually links BB topics of users with experience in the past: http://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Liver_lobe_torsion

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.

[Bam]

We have had bunnies with liver lobe torsion here. This is one thread, I know there are more so will go check:
https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/167773/Default.aspx

ETA: This is the thread I was thinking of. It’s from 2015 so methods can have been modernized – rabbit medicine is developing rapidly (in the right direction): 

https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/140595/Default.aspx

[kurottabun]

Sorry to hear that Benny is unwell. Perhaps you could ask if your vet accepts a payment plan of some sort? Otherwise if you could save up for the ultrasound first, maybe just go for that to confirm if it is really a case of liver torsion. There is still a chance that it isn’t and you might be able to avoid surgery. Taking it one step at a time might be best for now.

[LBJ10]

Wow, that seems like a lot for surgery. But costs are different in different places. Could you perhaps get a second opinion? It is possible to diagnose a liver torsion through blood work. At least to a fair degree of certainty, anyway. An ultrasound may or may not give a clear enough image to diagnose. I’m just afraid that you will end up having to do surgery anyway, regardless of whether or not you do the ultrasound. It is definitely the most conservative route, but it does add to the cost unfortunately. I guess it all depends on how bad it is. If the torsion is small, I’m wondering if that would be indicated in the liver enzyme numbers.

[jerseygirl]

Im sorry to hear it. Sending vibes for {{{Benny}}} !

I agree, a 2nd opinion could be worth your while. For diagnosis but also some additional quotes if surgery is required.

This thread particularly had some info combined for other threads and links to article about the condition. https://binkybunny.com/tabid/54/aft/140595/Default.aspx

Im not sure what to suggest further about financial assistance other looking into Care Credit. Or setting up crowd funding, and see if family and friends can share your plight on social media. But that could take some time. (Just be aware that members are not allowed to post links for crowd-funding here on the forum).
There are some additional resources about financial aid listed here: https://binkybunny.com/RESOURCES/tabid/67/Default.aspx

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