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little advice on rabbit ops

mushers

Young Bun
we have a female dwarf rabbit called daisy who is nearly 8 everything seems fine with her she eats hops and poops , but she has a large lump in her groin :( (its been there about a month) she has been to the same vets twice now and seen two different vets.

both vets have felt the lump and said it feels like it is full of pellets and it is most likely a rectal hernia, it doesnt seem to be getting bigger and doesnt bother her most of the time although we have noticed she now sits a little differently, the only issue at the moment is the lump has pushed over her genitals a bit so when she wees it goes on her leg.

both the vets we have seen have pretty much said the same thing about operating considering her age and small size the anesthetic and op are more likely to finish her off than the lump :( and that if it is a rectal hernia the op may not be effective, both have suggested leaving it be and dealing with it only if causes her problems or pain .

for the last few weeks we have been washing her leg to keep her clean and try to minimise and urine burn she seems happy in herself but im starting to wonder if we leave it and it becomes a problem she could become ill quickly and not be fit for any op

so im thinking we get the vet to do the op while she is fit but that could kill her right ? but by doing nothing that could kill her right ? im really stuck on this one the washing isnt really a problem but its getting to be everyday now
is 8 too old for rabbit ops ? is dwarf to smaller breed for an op like this ? should i take her to another vet ? both he vets she has seen are usually excellent with our rabbits, are there any rabbit specialist vets in or around harlow ?

any advice welcome
 
A specialist might be worth a look to confirm what it is. They might also be able to do an ultra sound or xray with her conscious - again just to confirm the type of lump is what they think.

Eight year old rabbits can have ops, but it is more risky than a younger rabbit. Another thing that could help you with the decision is a blood test. This would show her organ function. One of the reasons for the increased risk is older rabbits are more likely to have age-related problems such as poor organ function or heart issues that effect the aneasthetic, so the blood test would give you a better picture of her overall health.

Is she spayed? Uterine cancer is a common cause of lumpiness in older females, their mammary glands run from chest to groin and they can get lumps anywhere along them.

To help her feel better in the interim, shaving the fur that's getting damp will help stop the urine soaking the fur and sitting against the skin (it will run off instead) and make washing her easier. Also once you've washed apply a thin layer of vasline - that will act as a barrier between the urine and skin and help prevent the soreness.
 
yup she was spayed by the rescue we got her from and most of her fur on the affected leg has gone :( is it safe to use vaseline she wont lick it off ?
the vet did say he would x ray her before operating but would partially sedate her for that too as she is very lively
 
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