Lymphoma

[JM24]

Hi all,

I recently discovered that my 9 year old dwarf lop has two tennis ball sized lumps hanging on his chest. I didn't notice them before because his fur is so "puffy" and he doesn't like to be pet anywhere but on his head or back. The next morning I scheduled him for a vet visit and began googling the problem (almost always a terrible thing to do because everything on google ends with death) At first I was excited because it looked exactly like dewlap (when i first found it i thought it was one mass not two), but obviously that turned out not to be the case. The vet came right out and said she doesn't know what it is but it isn't dewlap, and that she also found some other lumps on his legs. She took a sample, sent it to a lab, and the results came back today. Looks like lymphoma =(. She suggested I take him to a specialist to get a biopsy but her bet is lymphoma.

If it turns out to be lymphoma I imagine I'll have a tough choice to make. From reading around it looks like he is nearing the end of his expected lifespan and there doesn't seem to be very good treatment options for that in rabbits. On the other hand, he is still acting normal/happy and not having any problems other than not being able to clean his face anymore (can't get his paws around the lumps =( ). Do I put him through this? Also, I really HATE to think about financials when it comes to a very loved pet, but can someone on a modest salary even afford the kind of treatment options for this? Anyway, I apologize for the rant, just starting to get worked up and looking for some advice.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Imbrium]

ray: I'm so sorry you and your bunny have to go through this! I don't know anything about possible treatments for lymphoma in bunnies, but I would definitely keep him around for as long as he seems to be enjoying life and not experiencing a lot of pain.

 

[JM24]

Thank you, yea this is tough.

 

[DarkRosa]

I agree with Imbrium, if he is still enjoying life, other than a dirty face, keep him around. If he doesn't look unhappy, or suffering let the poor guy be. I would maybe talk to your vet, or see if you can talk to the specialists about the financial aspect, and what your choices/options would be for treatment. You also maybe want to take into account, at 9, do you want to also risk the anesthetic risks with the poor guy? Just a thought that I would have to fight with myself.
Having a sick bunny myself currently, I can understand where your coming from, but I say, if he's eating, seems happy, active, let him be and enjoy the rest of the days.
Fingers crossed for you and him! :hug2:

 

[missyscove]

I'm sorry you had to join the forum under such sad circumstances.

From your description it sounds like it has spread which would limit his treatment options, but I would definitely talk to your vet about any options for treatment that might exist as well as pallative care to keep him comfortable.

 

[HEM]

So sorry to hear about your bun
I agree with the others that have posted so far. If he still seems happy and is doing everything he normally does, I would let the poor guy be and give him as much love as you can.
Just as long as he isn't suffereing
Good luck

 

[Trixie]

I`m sorry to hear about your bun. Good luck with everything and as everyone said, if he`s enjoying life still then that's a good thing.

 

[tonyshuman]

Bunnies are such troopers that sometimes it can be hard to find cancer and other serious diseases until it's too late to do anything about them. I agree that you will probably have to go with hospice-type care and work closely with your vet. We talk about the 3 A's on here sometimes, which are appetite, affection, and alertness. If any of these seem to go, it may be time to think about putting him to sleep. I don't think there are a lot of chemotherapy treatments for bunnies with lymphoma, and since it has spread radiation treatment isn't a good option either, not to mention the high costs and stress on the bunny that come with those treatments. I have also lived with a terminally ill bunny. He had thymoma, and it was clear when he wasn't fine anymore. He was only 3-4 yrs old and we would have liked to have longer with him of course; he was such a sweet bunny. Enjoy the time you have with your bun. Luckily it has been my experience that sick bunnies can still be happy bunnies, especially if you manage pain. When Benjamin left us, he started acting "off" and it was within a few hours that he passed away so he wasn't in a lot of distress. He had been doing binkies the day before and had only started to lose appetite over a few days.

 

[agnesthelion]

Oh my. I'm so sorry you have to go through this I don't have much to add except wanted to pass on my positive thoughts for you and your bun.

I agree with everyone. But also wanted to add that you know your bunny the best. Sometimes bunnies can hide pain well. After all, the injured buns in the wild can be a hinder to the warren, so it's in their very DNA to push through pain. So if you feel in your gut your bunny is no longer enjoying life, don't feel guilty about making the choice to put him to sleep.

Again, so sorry. Enjoy the time you have with your bun.