Difficult Decision - Cagney

Yo Folks - Oh blimey I think I'm definately in for Gold Fish next time round :roll: rather than bunnies :!: :!: but then knowing me I doubt it :roll:

Cagney developed a small hard lump on her manibular jaw couple of months ago - there are now definate signs that this is increasing in size and she had dropped a little weight - albeit ever so slightly -

At the mo she is eating well and enjoying life so following a lengthy conversation with my bunny savey vet this morning I now have two options:

1. Referal to a specialist Vet for her - my own Bunny Savy Vet who I have the greatest respect for has mentioned to me that in her opinion due to the very invasive and low success rate of surgery she feels a specialist would be the best option to give Cagney the best hope of coming through.

or:-

2. Start her on injections combined with Metacam to hold back progress of the growth as long as we can knowing that at some stage in the near future between Deborah and myself we will need to make a decision if her quality of life deteriorates.

I,m really hopeing I'm doing the right thing for her but at the moment I'm
favoring option two slightly more I think, I know there is some success with such an invasive operation but I just don't feel I can put her through it with the high risk of infection etc also.

This little lady has a charmed life with her pal Buffy so I really feel that I just now want to enjoy her for as long as we have and when the time comes we will make that step together.

But in the meantime - this morning she enjoyed a frolic in the sunshine following her visit to the Vets and warm snuggles with her pal Buffty

Awww such a difficult decision. I can't offer any advice other than that I am sure you will make the right decision .

Is the lump definitely a growth and not an abscess? In the case of the latter, there would be the option to treat with penicillin injections (as I am at the moment with two of my bunnies).

Vera

I'd definately opt for specialist referral. There have been several Bunnies on here who have had Mandibular abscesses surgically treated followed by longterm Penicillin and anti-inflammatory medication.
Bluebunny's Alfie was written off be a few Vets but was eventually seen by one who agreed to treat him and he is now doing really well.

If Cagney were my Bun I'd want her on Penicillin Injections now aswell as pain relief until surgery by a Bunny Specialist can be done.

But you know Cagney best and so are the only one who can really decide

Janex

Hi Lany,
I would opt for the less invasive option as treatment of abcesses can be so painful and unpleasant and there is of course the anesthetic risk. Penicillin injections can be very succesful at keeping infections at bay even where they do not clear up entirely affording good quality of life, especially when combined with metacam. I have had several rabbits on them long term.

doorkeeper said:

Hi Lany,
I would opt for the less invasive option as treatment of abcesses can be so painful and unpleasant and there is of course the anesthetic risk. Penicillin injections can be very succesful at keeping infections at bay even where they do not clear up entirely affording good quality of life, especially when combined with metacam. I have had several rabbits on them long term.

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Awww thanks for this Louise - which Penicillin have you found works best and in what doses? - my vet has popped her on 0.6 of engemycin at the moment every three days with two drops of metacam daily.

She is fine and bouncy in herself today and eating really well but would like to have a chat to my vet re the Penicillin option when I go back next week?

Thanks Folks for all your help and advice.

Oh sending vibes. XXXX

Here's one of my favorite pickies of her -




And here are the two cheeky Girls together - Inseperable Girly pals

It feels really wierd really at the moment you just wouldn't think there was anything wrong with the lovely Cagney but I love her to bits and she will certainly be even more spoilt than usual by both Buffy and her mum of course

awwww Lany I am so sorry to hear that your lil girl is poorly sending vibes you will do whats best for her I wouldnt like to choose as she is your bunny