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Giles has advanced terminal cancer - post 30, he's gone

ShazzaBunny

Warren Veteran
I cant beieve i am writing this, i cant bare any more.

Giles started losing serious weight very quickly, he is going the same way Riley, Summer and Frodo went. Riley and Summer's weight loss were blamed on old age and ailments, and Frodo's were down to kidney problems. But now Giles is showing the same, very rapid signs, i have really doubted myself and my care :( .

We have been to the vet, and he has a mass in his abdomin. Presumably advanced cancer, and there is nothing i can do to save him :( . There were no previous signs, none, he was a good weight (overweight if anything) but now he is reduced to skin and bones :( he maintains a good appetite, but his sparkle is duller than it was, its not gone, but its not as bright as it once was.

In reality, maybe i should have let him go at the vet the other day, im selfish, i couldnt do it, i cant bare it, i cant lose him :( .

Why is this happening to me? What am i doing wrong? When will this torture and sorrow end?

My poor poor Giles :cry: .
 
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Oh no, I am sorry :cry:

I know its a long shot but is there any chance that the 'mass' may be an enlarged mesenteric lymph node as a result of some sort of systemic infection ?

Would a course of abx and NSAIDs be something worth a try ?
 
The vet is pretty sure it is cancer :( he is fading in front of my eyes Jane, but i will ask my vet if he thinks that is a possibility.
 
The vet is pretty sure it is cancer :( he is fading in front of my eyes Jane, but i will ask my vet if he thinks that is a possibility.

Would a blood profile help ? Extreme weightloss can happen in chronic systemic infections. Has he ever had snuffles or ear probs ?
 
Would a blood profile help ? Extreme weightloss can happen in chronic systemic infections. Has he ever had snuffles or ear probs ?

He had snuffles when he was found, and severe ear mites/head tilt, all monitered over his time with me, never causing an issue after initial treatment. He has always been a sneezy bun, but it was how he was, my vet could not find any reasons or anything to worry about.

However, my vet has felt the mass, and has said he believes it is a tumour, i trust his opinion, i will discuss antibiotics and NSAIDs with him, and other things that are in Giles' interests, however, i dont believe putting him through tests is entirely fair on him at this stage, it would give me answers, but it would not change things. If it is an infection he will respond to treatment, but if my vets opinion of it being a tumour is correct, then i cant do anything but keep him happy.
 
Sorry, i think i was a bit abrupt sounding Jane, it wasnt meant to, just really struggling just now.

Thanks Hele.
 
Although it can feel harsh putting a bun through tests as you say - many of the tests are not invasive or hurtful - a blood test or even (if he will lay still) a scan (rather than an xray).

Personally I know I would try for tests - but each bunny is different. I think it depends how much you totally trust the vet. One of our less rabbity vets diagnosed one of my buns with an internal cancer that wasn't.
 
This is so very tragic, devastating and believe me I understand what terrible pain you are in and how overwhelming it can be. Just wanted to make sure though that your vet is a rabbit savvy vet and that you trust him 100%. The reason I'm asking is because I was in exactly the same situation, and the vet had even said to me that as he wasn't really improving at all or responding to treatment, we would monitor him over 2 weeks and then it would be kindest to put him to sleep. To be honest the vet seemed to know what he was talking about and I had no reason to doubt him, but I did say that before I could consider putting Roger to sleep, I needed to get a 2nd opinion, and if that vet said the same, that I would accept it then. I phoned my local rabbit and guinea pig welfare centre and asked them who they used, and what she thought to what I had been told. They put me in touch with a rabbit expert who has 'The Rabbit Clinic' about half hour from me, and I phoned them the next day in tears and begging them practically to see Roger, which they did that morning. What a good job I did as the original vet had completely misdiagnosed what was wrong with Roger, and that was why he wasn't getting any better, because he was having meds for a condition that he didn't have. As soon as he started on what Simon had put him on within 24hrs I started to notice a bit of improvement and over 48hrs a considerable improvement. How wonderful this would be if your bunny had been misdiagnosed as well, but I don't want to get your hopes up, but maybe it would be worth getting a 2nd opinion? Once Roger was recovered, I went back to the original vets and told them what had happened and how wrong they had got it, and made a formal complaint to 'The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons'. I was then furious to think if I had just gone with what that vet had said, Roger would have been put to sleep for something he didn't even have. Also, how many other people had lost their beloved bunnies to a misdiagnosis. To be fair, the Practice Manager wrote me a really lovely letter, apologizing profusely for what had happened. They assurred me they would be reviewing their procedures for when other bunnies came in with the same symptons, and they gave me a full refund of all the money I had paid them. I guess it was a positive outcome, but still made me feel ill thinking how easy it would have been to just go with that first vet. Do let us know how your bun gets on, and how I hope for you that this is something else that can be treated. You do seem to have been incredibly unlucky.
 
I do not believe this. I knnow that you are one of the very best bunny Mums around and I would place all of my rabbits in your care. You have had an awful run of late but none of it is your fault. I really hope that Giles has a while yet. Whatever you and your vet have decided between you is definitely the right route for him.
 
I'm so sorry, I'm sure you and your vet know best how to approach the situation. As someone said to me recently you know your rabbits. YOU know if it's in their best interest to have extra tests or not, no-one else.

Thinking of Giles and you. xx
 
I am so so sorry :cry:

You know when you need support, yuo know when you need help, you DO know your bunnies best, and you will get support from a veterinary specialist where required. Don't blame yourself, i doubt its your fault at all, you are doing your bestest.

Elena; i've said that to a few people lately :)
 
I do not believe this. I knnow that you are one of the very best bunny Mums around and I would place all of my rabbits in your care. You have had an awful run of late but none of it is your fault. I really hope that Giles has a while yet. Whatever you and your vet have decided between you is definitely the right route for him.

Thank you Ali
And thanks to everyone else who took the time to comment.

I trust my vet, as he knows me and he knows Giles, and he has been my vet for a long time, through a lot of issues, he has always been honest and thought of my pets. I really do appreciate you all offering advice on what to do, and what it could be, but at the end of the day, i have no reason to doubt my vets skills, and i shall be following my heart, as Giles' carer, and because i know every hair on his body, and my vet, as i trust him.

Quite honestly, my heartache has been bad enough recently, without having to start doubting myself on my care and choice of vet. I know you all mean well.
 
I'm so sorry, I'm sure you and your vet know best how to approach the situation. As someone said to me recently you know your rabbits. YOU know if it's in their best interest to have extra tests or not, no-one else.

Thinking of Giles and you. xx

I am so so sorry :cry:

You know when you need support, yuo know when you need help, you DO know your bunnies best, and you will get support from a veterinary specialist where required. Don't blame yourself, i doubt its your fault at all, you are doing your bestest.

Elena; i've said that to a few people lately :)

Thank you both, you both posted as i contemplated my reply. But you both basically confirmed what i feel, i know Giles and i trust my vet, i think at this stage, that is all that matters.
 
I am so so sorry :cry:

You know when you need support, yuo know when you need help, you DO know your bunnies best, and you will get support from a veterinary specialist where required. Don't blame yourself, i doubt its your fault at all, you are doing your bestest.

Elena; i've said that to a few people lately :)

It's true! :)

I feel for you ShazzaBunny, what a heart wrenching decision to have to make :cry:
 
Thank you both, you both posted as i contemplated my reply. But you both basically confirmed what i feel, i know Giles and i trust my vet, i think at this stage, that is all that matters.

Trust your gut. Someone tells me that all the time and i've really had to push myself to do so. You're gut feeling will NEVER betray you.

Thinking of you :)
 
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