I could really do with some advice from fellow rabbit owners. Last night I discovered a tumour rupture on the underside of our elderly doe's (10 years) abdomen. She had been diagnosed with mammary cancer over 18 months ago & our vet's advice was it's too risky for her to undergo anesthesia/surgery due to her age and health. She's been doing brilliantly since that time and I'm so so pleased she's outlived her initial diagnosis.
So I jumped into a cab straight away & took her to the local Veterinary Hospital; saw a very sympathetic vet who said, despite the rupture, her vital signs were all excellent, she was still feeding, drinking and alert etc. He told me we have a couple of options open to consider: administer metacam and an anti-biotic to prevent infection of the wound & see how she goes OR consider the dreaded euthanasia route as the problem of the tumours obviously won't go away. I discussed it with my husband last night when I returned in the wee hours & he has gone this morning to obtain the anti-biotic. Buns was her usual self this morning, feeding, alert etc. She was ravenous!
I'm just wondering what would other rabbit owners do in this situation, though? We would like to have her with us for as long as possible, she is absolutely part of our family and has been for a decade! My husband said it would be wrong to book euthanasia when she is her lively self. But this has been a long time coming....I know she can't stay with us forever. We have 2 children who adore our pet, our younger daughter is especially attached to her. They do not know life without her as the rabbit is 2 years older than our eldest child. But I'm very worried we will be trying to prolong her life & something could possibly happen at Christmas or when the kids are off school & nursery, which would taint a very special time of year. Is it best to prepare them in some way now??
Thank you for reading & any advice welcome xx
So I jumped into a cab straight away & took her to the local Veterinary Hospital; saw a very sympathetic vet who said, despite the rupture, her vital signs were all excellent, she was still feeding, drinking and alert etc. He told me we have a couple of options open to consider: administer metacam and an anti-biotic to prevent infection of the wound & see how she goes OR consider the dreaded euthanasia route as the problem of the tumours obviously won't go away. I discussed it with my husband last night when I returned in the wee hours & he has gone this morning to obtain the anti-biotic. Buns was her usual self this morning, feeding, alert etc. She was ravenous!
I'm just wondering what would other rabbit owners do in this situation, though? We would like to have her with us for as long as possible, she is absolutely part of our family and has been for a decade! My husband said it would be wrong to book euthanasia when she is her lively self. But this has been a long time coming....I know she can't stay with us forever. We have 2 children who adore our pet, our younger daughter is especially attached to her. They do not know life without her as the rabbit is 2 years older than our eldest child. But I'm very worried we will be trying to prolong her life & something could possibly happen at Christmas or when the kids are off school & nursery, which would taint a very special time of year. Is it best to prepare them in some way now??
Thank you for reading & any advice welcome xx