Recurrent stasis,dilemma, beloved 10yr old, poss bladder cancer:
Our 10 yr old beloved bunny is booked with trusted vet tomorrow 10 am for euthanasia. We would do anything to prolong his days if he is not in pain. It looks as if he has a growth in his bladder. We have nursed him through three really acute life threatening episodes of stasis, since late March, and recently he is having difficulty peeing normally. He has bad arthritis in hind legs and hips and has been on metacam for s few months-- otherwise when not in stasis he has been happy affectionate active and full of spirit.He has dense catracts and very little vision but copes well.
We do not want him admitted, or to undergo an operation but vet has succeeded in doing xray(which showed bad arthritis) and 2 ultrasounds which show a shadow seemingly in the bladder. Recently his letter training broked how and he hold his urine for hours, then runs around depserate to find a place to pee, and does huge dilute pees. (Kidneys not brilliant). She found his urine was dilute and contained bit cells with large nuclei indicative of rapid uncontrolled growth--ie posible cancer.
In thi last episode we have been giving vetagesic injections fro pain but then we realised it was slowing him down so much he appreared to be at deaths door. He has improved a lot since we stopped them. He has been given metaclop injections by vet and oral solution by us, but his is now much reduced.
We have copious pees and poops again after 4 days of 2 hourly care through the night, and yesterday and today he shows an amazing improvement-- yesterday grazing happily, eating forage we collect for him, interacting and affectionate-- and yesterday started eating the Oxbow critical care mix from a spoon not syringe-- I've mixed in Slippery elm, cranberry supplement from Healthspan, Bio lapis and it seems to have done wonders.We are now just on Critical care, metacam twice a day, Zantac every 8 hours and fibreplex on treats. We cut down the metaclopromide Emeprid gut stimulantto just 5 mls once or twice a day because it was giving him horrible pangs at the higher dose and then his poos would stop completely.
The dilemma is this-- he looks like he is in respite. But it could quickly crash, maybe when our trusted vet is not available, we might have to accept a less well-planned euthanasia if he went into sudden decline. Despite all our efforts the poos though copious are still extremely small and very hard. Last two times of stasis we got some larger ones when he got better but this time no improvement after 2 weeks of treatment. Dropping have been getting smaller and drier over past year, but no obvious solution . We think the stress of admission and aggressive interventions by vet are not justifiable esp for an elderly single rabbit.
Vet says no gut obstruction, no urine retention so strategy has been frequent syringe liquid, meds and critical care and hurry him round the kitchen to keep the gut active. That has been hard to do as it feels so mean and his mouth mush have been sore-- but now he is taking in willingly off the spoon and so much happier.
Another beautifuol sunny day for him. But should we put off the decision as he seems so happy and well? I think we have to go ahead tomorrow.
ps WE COULDN'T BOND HIM for good reasons, so he is 90% house rabbit and we are his warrren-- he loves cuddles and grooming and lots of attention.
Our 10 yr old beloved bunny is booked with trusted vet tomorrow 10 am for euthanasia. We would do anything to prolong his days if he is not in pain. It looks as if he has a growth in his bladder. We have nursed him through three really acute life threatening episodes of stasis, since late March, and recently he is having difficulty peeing normally. He has bad arthritis in hind legs and hips and has been on metacam for s few months-- otherwise when not in stasis he has been happy affectionate active and full of spirit.He has dense catracts and very little vision but copes well.
We do not want him admitted, or to undergo an operation but vet has succeeded in doing xray(which showed bad arthritis) and 2 ultrasounds which show a shadow seemingly in the bladder. Recently his letter training broked how and he hold his urine for hours, then runs around depserate to find a place to pee, and does huge dilute pees. (Kidneys not brilliant). She found his urine was dilute and contained bit cells with large nuclei indicative of rapid uncontrolled growth--ie posible cancer.
In thi last episode we have been giving vetagesic injections fro pain but then we realised it was slowing him down so much he appreared to be at deaths door. He has improved a lot since we stopped them. He has been given metaclop injections by vet and oral solution by us, but his is now much reduced.
We have copious pees and poops again after 4 days of 2 hourly care through the night, and yesterday and today he shows an amazing improvement-- yesterday grazing happily, eating forage we collect for him, interacting and affectionate-- and yesterday started eating the Oxbow critical care mix from a spoon not syringe-- I've mixed in Slippery elm, cranberry supplement from Healthspan, Bio lapis and it seems to have done wonders.We are now just on Critical care, metacam twice a day, Zantac every 8 hours and fibreplex on treats. We cut down the metaclopromide Emeprid gut stimulantto just 5 mls once or twice a day because it was giving him horrible pangs at the higher dose and then his poos would stop completely.
The dilemma is this-- he looks like he is in respite. But it could quickly crash, maybe when our trusted vet is not available, we might have to accept a less well-planned euthanasia if he went into sudden decline. Despite all our efforts the poos though copious are still extremely small and very hard. Last two times of stasis we got some larger ones when he got better but this time no improvement after 2 weeks of treatment. Dropping have been getting smaller and drier over past year, but no obvious solution . We think the stress of admission and aggressive interventions by vet are not justifiable esp for an elderly single rabbit.
Vet says no gut obstruction, no urine retention so strategy has been frequent syringe liquid, meds and critical care and hurry him round the kitchen to keep the gut active. That has been hard to do as it feels so mean and his mouth mush have been sore-- but now he is taking in willingly off the spoon and so much happier.
Another beautifuol sunny day for him. But should we put off the decision as he seems so happy and well? I think we have to go ahead tomorrow.
ps WE COULDN'T BOND HIM for good reasons, so he is 90% house rabbit and we are his warrren-- he loves cuddles and grooming and lots of attention.
you clearly have done your best for him and I am sure he knows how much you love him xx