Suspected cancerous growth on bun

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 4sd replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 8 months ago by LBJ10.

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- 07/04/2021 at 1:04 PM
  Boyb
  Participant
  3 posts
  hi this is my first post here so I’m sorry if I make any mistakes. I have a 9 year old bun, about 2-3 months ago a growth appeared on his left shoulder-neck area out of nowhere and has since grown much bigger. We got it checked at the vet and it’s suspected to be lymphatic cancer, not an abscess as there was no wound nor opening and it fairly firm to the touch, with weird lumps and shape. I decided that we’re not proceeding with a biopsy as surgery it’s not advised, so a biopsy wouldn’t do much apart from confirming our worse fear. The vet prescribed some antibiotics and painkillers, in case it was an infection that would go down with antibiotics but unfortunately, it didn’t help other than making my bun drowsy-like whenever he eats them. I’ve since put him off it, and the growth has gotten even bigger. He still eats albeit less on some days, and is now unable to eat away his ceco poop like he used to so he gets poopy butt sometimes, other than that he seems to be okay.
  I would just like any advice or opinion if anyone has gone through this before too. It’s difficult to go through this especially knowing he’s suffering from it and confused too. Is there anything I can do to make him better or more comfortable? What if one day we got to a point whereby the growth gets so big it inhibits his movements? What do I do then? I’m willing and fully committed to taking care of him until his time is up. I’ll do anything to make sure he’s as comfortable as possible. I just love him so much. I’m at loss of what I can or should do. Any advice or opinion will he greatly appreciated. Thank you.
- 07/04/2021 at 1:05 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17225 posts
  If the growth is growing rapidly, then there is a risk of the skin rupturing. Your vet is sure it isn’t an abscess? Why is removing it not an option?
  - 07/04/2021 at 9:17 PM
    Boyb
    Participant
    3 posts
    The vet advised against it as the mass is attached to the shoulder and neck where the sensitive nerves and veins are, his old age, the possibility of not waking up from GA, and the possibility of the wound from surgery not healing properly if it is cancer. Will skin rupture from tumour? I have not heard that from the bunny community I’ve talked to around here. Please let me know if you have any advise.
  - 07/04/2021 at 9:19 PM
    Boyb
    Participant
    3 posts
    The vet and a rabbit savvy groomer ruled out abscess as it’s grown in a weird shape uncommon to abscesses (they said abscesses are usually rounder in texture but the growth he has is a firm odd shaped lump. As if it’s a cloud it has different protruding areas) and it has no wound / scab showing. They did take an XRAY to look at it but no biopsy was done..
- 07/04/2021 at 10:12 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17225 posts
  OK, thanks for the additional info. They may or may not be able to do a needle biopsy. I guess it would depend on the consistency of the mass. Your description does suggest a cancerous tumor. Lipomas can sometimes grow rapidly as well.
  
  Yes, if the tumor grows very rapidly, it can grow faster than the skin can accommodate… leading to rupture. You don’t see it as often in rabbits, but it can happen. It sounds like this one has been growing for a couple of months, so it may not be growing fast enough for the skin to not keep up with it.
  
  If this is cancer, I would think that reduced mobility due to tumor size would be the least of your worries. Did the vet do any other x-rays or imaging? If this tumor is coming from a lymph node then it’s possible the cancer started somewhere else in the body and then metastasized to the lymph node. I’m just wondering if your bunny has had cancer for some time now and it is just now showing externally (i.e. with this tumor).
  
  You can make him comfortable by just making sure he has everything he needs. Perhaps offering him his favorite foods on a regular basis will encourage him to eat and make him happy at the same time. I doubt the antibiotic was making him drowsy, it was probably the pain med. You could try a different dose, giving it before his normal nap time, or splitting the dose. Your vet should be able to advise you on that. His quality of life is most important right now, so keep a close eye for signs of him declining – Lethargy, lack of appetite, etc.
  
  I’m sorry you’re having to go through this. It’s an awful feeling of knowing you can’t really do much for them except keep them comfortable.
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