Treatment for cancer

I have just talked to my vet about the lab results regarding a lump that was removed from my rabbit Sunny last Monday. Sadly, the results aren't good news... it is an carcinoma of undetermined origin (it is under his chin/by his throat). It is according to my vet the worst possible type of malignant tumour! And although it has been removed with a good margin, it could possibly have been spread due to it being so close to the jugular vein...

When I talked to my vet, I wasn't in a state that I was able to ask lots of questions - though I will do that after Christmas when it has all sunk in a bit.

I've just had a quick look about carcinomas on the internet (it's the first time that one of my larger animals has cancer, so I have no idea what I am dealing with at the moment), and a drug called taxomifen has come up for treatment of many types of carcinomas. Do any of you wise guys know about this drug? Is it even available in the UK? Is there any other possible treatment that you have experience with?

Sunny is luckily absolutely fine in himself, the wound has healed up great! Luckily he is blissfully unaware of the sorrow he is causing us right now!

Vera

It's used to treat breast cancer in women I think. I used it a few years ago on a rat with mammary tumours - I think it did help slow it down. I had to order it online - didn't need a prescription at the time. I'm not sure if it's still available or not.

I did check with my vet first and get their okay

You'll probably find more info on it used with pet rats, I don't know what the effects might be in rabbits though or whether it would help with the tip of tumour she has.

http://www.ratfanclub.org/tamox.html

Oh, I did find one on rabbits: http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/carcinoma.html I guess then that it can be used in rabbits.

Thanks, Tamsin. It's the second article that made me aware of this drug. I will have a chat to my vet after Christmas and see what he thinks! He will be prepared to look into it further if he doesn't know... Unfortunately the lab could not determine the origin of the tumour, so I guess, we can only try...

Vera

My gran took Tamoxifen for cancer which had spread to her bones. It did prolong her life for about 4 years after diagnosis but I don't know how well it works in smaller animals.