Advice please! Has anyone had experience with chemotherapy for cancer in rabbits???

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum but in desperate need of advice! About a week and a half ago we took our indoor bunny, Blueberry, to the vet as he was sneezing and it looked like he was having some trouble with breathing. He was checked over and given antibiotics as he had a respiratory tract infection.

We then returned to the vet on Friday for a follow-up to see if the antibiotics were working or if he needed a different anti-biotic but the vet noticed two lumps on either side near his rear legs (size of ping pong balls). We then arranged for him to return next week for an X-ray so that they could see the lumps and remove them. However, yesterday (Saturday) morning we took him to the vet again as he was eating a little but definitely was not his usual energetic self. To our devastation, the vet found a few more lumps, which weren't there less than 24 hours before, by his front legs and under his chin. We were told that it's almost certainly cancer and a biopsy will be done tomorrow to find out more about it.

However, the vet did advise that we had 3 options, either Chemotherapy or to try steroids or to put him to sleep. He advised that chemo isn't very successful in rabbits and he wouldn't recommend it, so I decided to proceed with steroids, which they immediately started.

We visited him at the vets today and i'm now wondering if we made the right decision or if we should give chemotherapy a go. We're absolutely heartbroken as we love him sooooo much and he has a companion, who he's very closely bonded with and as she's deaf she relies on him quite heavily. I would do anything to save him but at the same time I'm not sure what the side effects of chemotherapy for rabbits are and if it's worth putting him through it, as I don't want him to suffer either. I feel really stuck.

Has anyone had any had any experience with their bunny's having chemo???

Any advice would be really appreciated!

Many thanks,

Tamz xx

Tamz said:

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum but in desperate need of advice! About a week and a half ago we took our indoor bunny, Blueberry, to the vet as he was sneezing and it looked like he was having some trouble with breathing. He was checked over and given antibiotics as he had a respiratory tract infection.

We then returned to the vet on Friday for a follow-up to see if the antibiotics were working or if he needed a different anti-biotic but the vet noticed two lumps on either side near his rear legs (size of ping pong balls). We then arranged for him to return next week for an X-ray so that they could see the lumps and remove them. However, yesterday (Saturday) morning we took him to the vet again as he was eating a little but definitely was not his usual energetic self. To our devastation, the vet found a few more lumps, which weren't there less than 24 hours before, by his front legs and under his chin. We were told that it's almost certainly cancer and a biopsy will be done tomorrow to find out more about it.

However, the vet did advise that we had 3 options, either Chemotherapy or to try steroids or to put him to sleep. He advised that chemo isn't very successful in rabbits and he wouldn't recommend it, so I decided to proceed with steroids, which they immediately started.

We visited him at the vets today and i'm now wondering if we made the right decision or if we should give chemotherapy a go. We're absolutely heartbroken as we love him sooooo much and he has a companion, who he's very closely bonded with and as she's deaf she relies on him quite heavily. I would do anything to save him but at the same time I'm not sure what the side effects of chemotherapy for rabbits are and if it's worth putting him through it, as I don't want him to suffer either. I feel really stuck.

Has anyone had any had any experience with their bunny's having chemo???

Any advice would be really appreciated!

Many thanks,

Tamz xx

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I haven't but there was someone on here a few years ago who's Bunny did

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/s...el-Syndrome-in-Rabbits&highlight=chemotherapy

I am sorry to hear about your sick Bunny

I haven’t got any experience of this but I’m sending lots of vibes for your bunny xx

Gentle nose rubs for your little bun xx

I should wait for the biopsy results before making any definite decisions. The result will provide much more accurate information, in particular the prognosis after using Chemotherapy as a treatment.

Sending lots of vibes for your bunny. You must have been really shocked

Thanks everyone! Will wait for the biopsy results tomorrow and see what it suggests.

It's been such a shock, feels like a nightmare I can't wake up from, within less than 24 hours the lumps developed so quickly. He's usually such an energetic bunny with such a strong personality and love of life, he's such major part of our family (definitely king of our house) it's so hard to see him in this situation.

Tamz said:

Thanks everyone! Will wait for the biopsy results tomorrow and see what it suggests.

It's been such a shock, feels like a nightmare I can't wake up from, within less than 24 hours the lumps developed so quickly. He's usually such an energetic bunny with such a strong personality and love of life, he's such major part of our family (definitely king of our house) it's so hard to see him in this situation.

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I really hope he can pull through xx

Sending good wishes for your Bunny.

No experience but I really hope your bun pulls through, sending all the best for you, he sounds like a huge part of your family.

Thanks so much everyone for all your well wishes! Blueberry appreciates it!

He’s been doing a lot better than expected and vet says he’s been eating on his own today! He’s such a fighter

Biopsy results came back today and confirmed that it’s lymphoma affecting his lymph nodes The problem is that the vet says there isn’t enough research published to suggest a treatment which would be successful.

If anyone has any information on treatments for lymphoma in the lymph nodes which has worked, please please please let me know. We’re really desperate

Many thanks!!!

Tamz said:

Thanks so much everyone for all your well wishes! Blueberry appreciates it!

He’s been doing a lot better than expected and vet says he’s been eating on his own today! He’s such a fighter

Biopsy results came back today and confirmed that it’s lymphoma affecting his lymph nodes �� The problem is that the vet says there isn’t enough research published to suggest a treatment which would be successful.

If anyone has any information on treatments for lymphoma in the lymph nodes which has worked, please please please let me know. We’re really desperate ��

Many thanks!!!

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So sorry to hear that Lymphoma has been confirmed AFAIK Lymphoma in Rabbits is treated using the same chemotherapy drugs as are used for Cats

http://www.ivghospitals.com/service/oncology/feline-lymphoma/

Maybe your Vet could contact an Exotics Specialist ?

I’m so sorry it has been confirmed as lymphoma he does sound like a fighter, I’m sending lots more vibes. As Jane has said, perhaps your vet can consult an exotic specialist to liaise with.

No experience but didn't went to hop off. Sending lots of hugs and vibes for your little one xxx

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Hi everyone,

Just an update to let you all know that we had to make the very difficult decision to put our sweet boy down today and we're absolutely heartbroken.

The vet was an exotics specialist and consulted with other exotics vets over possible chemotherapy treatment using Espar. However, after long and extensive discussions with the vet, we decided that the chemotherapy was just too risky and we didn't want to risk making him worse with the possible side effects. So instead we decided to take him home on Thursday evening, with his steroids and anti-biotics, so that he could enjoy whatever time he had left. He was sooooo excited to be home, running around everywhere (although he got tired very quickly due to his breathing problem) and had a really good day on Friday, with lots of jumping on the sofa and lots of treats! It was almost like having our old Bluey back and it filled us with so much hope that maybe the steroids were working and we'd be able a few weeks/months with him.

However, on Saturday night he started to deteriorate and his breathing became more laboured, we had to syringe feed him more, which was in turn really stressing him out and made his breathing worse with all the stress. By this morning he wouldn't move from his spot in front of his water bowl. It's like her wanted to eat and tried to eat the treats we tried to give him but would just take the treat in his mouth, pause for a second to try to eat it, but it would just then fall out of his mouth. He managed to eat a few pieces of vegetables and a few bits of softer treats, but very slowly and would freeze with the food in his month every few chews. It was at that point we decided to take him back to the vet and although he perked up a bit after being in the oxygen tank for a while, the vet advised that the steroids weren't working and he was only going to get worse. So we made the difficult and reluctant decision to put him to sleep. I decided to stay with him during the process, and a part of me regrets it as I don't think I was prepared with how quickly he would go once the injections were in. I can't stop replaying it in my mind and the look in his eye when he nodded off.

I've cried non-stop the entire day and I'm not really sure how to cope. I feel guilty for the decision I made and I'm not sure if I made it at the correct time or if it was his time to go. His partner, Mimi, won't come near us and runs away to hide every time we approach her. We're now worried about her as she's hardly eating anything

If anyone has any advice on how to help her, I'd really appreciate it. I've tried to put in a rabbit cuddly toy which I rubbed on her and Bluey over the last few days, but she seems more scared of it than anything.

Thank you all so much for all of the advice and support over the last week and a half, it's really helped.

xxx

I'm so very sorry you had to let him go,you did the last kindness by him,so don't feel guilty.Binky free little Blueberry.

I'm so very sorry to read your sad update about Bluey

I really do not think you should be feeling any guilt at all. You showed compassion for Bluey and helped him, even though the decision was heartbreaking for you. I can also understand how you will be replaying in your mind the pts process. In my view the feeling of guilt and the replaying in your mind are both very normal feelings to be experiencing at this time. I think many of us would have had very similar feelings.

I am sorry that Mimi is behaving in this way. Some rabbits will demonstrate feelings of grief more than others in this type of situation. I would just observe her very carefully and make sure that she is eating enough. Hopefully she will soon find the cuddle toy more of a comfort. It makes a sad situation even sadder for you and it must be distressing to see her like this.

Sending lots of hugs.

I am sorry to see this update but please take comfort that letting him go Is the kindest and most selfless thing we can do for our companion. I have lost rabbits of which I wish I was able to PTS and it is something that goes around my mind over a year later. You did the right thing and the best thing although it is hard now it will get better in time. Sending you lots and lots of hugs tonight xxx

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I’m so sorry you did the best and kindest thing for Blueberry. I hope that Mimi is feeling better soon, maybe she can be tempted with her favourite foods.

Thinking of you and sending hugs xx

So very sorry I think you made a selfless and compassionate decision, even though it broke your heart

Mimi will need you to try to be strong for her. She will pick up on the distress all around her. She will find comfort in her familiar routine re feed times, cleaning out etc. She will also need you to seem 'yourself' I know from personal experience how hard this is to do. When I am coping with a bereaved Rabbit I try to keep my own grief away- ie I take myself off to the loo or somwhere to cry.

Some different toys/environmental enrichment can also help a bereaved Bunny. Something to investigate and focus on.

Maybe in time you may want to post a tribute to Bluey in the 'Rainbow Bridge' part of RU

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/forumdisplay.php?35-Rainbow-Bridge

RIP Bluey