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Does anyone have experience with cancer in a bunny?

N

NyxTaryn

Young Bun
Hi, sadly my rabbit Kibeth has recently started having difficulties with her breathing - she was breathing very heavily, seemed lethargic, and kept hiding so of course we took her to the vet.

They put her on oxygen and did an x-ray which showed fluid in her lungs. They drained most of the fluid and kept her on oxygen and she started to perk up and her respiration rate starting going down, so we decided to take her home with some antibiotics to give her and monitor her closely here. Sadly, she quickly went downhill at home and her heartrate and respiration rate went up again, so back to the emergency vet.

They gave her a different type of antibiotic, more oxygen, steroids, and a bunch of other meds, but she was still breathing very heavily. She was still eating quite happily and didn't have any problems with stasis or anything. Meanwhile, they got the results back from the fluid they drained which showed no signs of bacterial or viral infection, so the vet decided to do an ultrasound. This showed up a mass of some kind in her chest, which they believe is cancer, which is causing fluid build up/pressure on her lungs and is pretty close to her heart.

At this point, they are recommending we put her to sleep, as they don't think surgery would be successful. So I'm trying to decide if we should try surgery or something like radiotherapy or let her go. She's only about 3 (age is an estimate as she's a rescue rabbit) and is otherwise very healthy - we've had her with us a year and this is the first time she's had any health issues. She seemed fine (maybe slightly tired/dopey when we stroked her sometimes, but she does tend to melt when you pet her, lol) until about a week ago. We'd even taken her to the vet a few days before she got ill for her boosters with nothing noticed by the vet and she was still eating and running around happily, then all of a sudden she went downhill so fast.

I hate the thought of her struggling to breath or suffering in any way, but she's so young and she's such a lovely rabbit that I'm wondering if it's worth trying treatment options for her. Has anyone had any similar experiences or any rabbits who've undergone surgery or radiotherapy for cancer? If it would only prolong things for a couple of months and she'll suffer, then I don't want to do it, but if there's a reasonable chance she can recover or get another happy year or two with treatment then it might be worth trying.

Also, does anyone know of any vets (I'm based in Manchester) who might be able to do this sort of surgery, radiotherapy, steroids or anything else that might help her? The vet she's at now is good with rabbits but I'm not sure if they offer those kinds of services.

Thanks for your help and advice.
 
NyxTaryn said:
Hi, sadly my rabbit Kibeth has recently started having difficulties with her breathing - she was breathing very heavily, seemed lethargic, and kept hiding so of course we took her to the vet.

They put her on oxygen and did an x-ray which showed fluid in her lungs. They drained most of the fluid and kept her on oxygen and she started to perk up and her respiration rate starting going down, so we decided to take her home with some antibiotics to give her and monitor her closely here. Sadly, she quickly went downhill at home and her heartrate and respiration rate went up again, so back to the emergency vet.

They gave her a different type of antibiotic, more oxygen, steroids, and a bunch of other meds, but she was still breathing very heavily. She was still eating quite happily and didn't have any problems with stasis or anything. Meanwhile, they got the results back from the fluid they drained which showed no signs of bacterial or viral infection, so the vet decided to do an ultrasound. This showed up a mass of some kind in her chest, which they believe is cancer, which is causing fluid build up/pressure on her lungs and is pretty close to her heart.

At this point, they are recommending we put her to sleep, as they don't think surgery would be successful. So I'm trying to decide if we should try surgery or something like radiotherapy or let her go. She's only about 3 (age is an estimate as she's a rescue rabbit) and is otherwise very healthy - we've had her with us a year and this is the first time she's had any health issues. She seemed fine (maybe slightly tired/dopey when we stroked her sometimes, but she does tend to melt when you pet her, lol) until about a week ago. We'd even taken her to the vet a few days before she got ill for her boosters with nothing noticed by the vet and she was still eating and running around happily, then all of a sudden she went downhill so fast.

I hate the thought of her struggling to breath or suffering in any way, but she's so young and she's such a lovely rabbit that I'm wondering if it's worth trying treatment options for her. Has anyone had any similar experiences or any rabbits who've undergone surgery or radiotherapy for cancer? If it would only prolong things for a couple of months and she'll suffer, then I don't want to do it, but if there's a reasonable chance she can recover or get another happy year or two with treatment then it might be worth trying.

Also, does anyone know of any vets (I'm based in Manchester) who might be able to do this sort of surgery, radiotherapy, steroids or anything else that might help her? The vet she's at now is good with rabbits but I'm not sure if they offer those kinds of services.

Thanks for your help and advice.
Click to expand...


I'm really sorry to hear this heartbreaking news :(

Yes I have had bunnies with cancer, and my most recent one was unable to have surgery or radiotherapy. We treated it in the best way we could and he had a good few months of quality life together with his pal.

It might be worth getting a second opinion before you think of doing anything.
Have you heard of Ashleigh vets?

http://ashleigh-veterinary-centre.com

Aidan is currently the clinical director of the Avian and Exotic section of the practice and well worth seeing.

Sending you loads of vibes and good luck xx
 
I had an older bunny who had two different types of cancer two years apart. The first surgery was a success, but the second type of cancer was too close to critical structures to get good margins surgically. My vet contacted a vet teaching hospital that was willing to try radiation. However, it was more experimental with no guarantee that she would have a better outcome. Since she was otherwise doing well at the time, we chose not to give up remaining good times for an uncertain outcome.

Your decision will not be easy. Please know, I support you in whatever decision you make. Only you know if your bunny is happy and comfortable.
 
NyxTaryn said:
Hi, sadly my rabbit Kibeth has recently started having difficulties with her breathing - she was breathing very heavily, seemed lethargic, and kept hiding so of course we took her to the vet.

They put her on oxygen and did an x-ray which showed fluid in her lungs. They drained most of the fluid and kept her on oxygen and she started to perk up and her respiration rate starting going down, so we decided to take her home with some antibiotics to give her and monitor her closely here. Sadly, she quickly went downhill at home and her heartrate and respiration rate went up again, so back to the emergency vet.

They gave her a different type of antibiotic, more oxygen, steroids, and a bunch of other meds, but she was still breathing very heavily. She was still eating quite happily and didn't have any problems with stasis or anything. Meanwhile, they got the results back from the fluid they drained which showed no signs of bacterial or viral infection, so the vet decided to do an ultrasound. This showed up a mass of some kind in her chest, which they believe is cancer, which is causing fluid build up/pressure on her lungs and is pretty close to her heart.

At this point, they are recommending we put her to sleep, as they don't think surgery would be successful. So I'm trying to decide if we should try surgery or something like radiotherapy or let her go. She's only about 3 (age is an estimate as she's a rescue rabbit) and is otherwise very healthy - we've had her with us a year and this is the first time she's had any health issues. She seemed fine (maybe slightly tired/dopey when we stroked her sometimes, but she does tend to melt when you pet her, lol) until about a week ago. We'd even taken her to the vet a few days before she got ill for her boosters with nothing noticed by the vet and she was still eating and running around happily, then all of a sudden she went downhill so fast.

I hate the thought of her struggling to breath or suffering in any way, but she's so young and she's such a lovely rabbit that I'm wondering if it's worth trying treatment options for her. Has anyone had any similar experiences or any rabbits who've undergone surgery or radiotherapy for cancer? If it would only prolong things for a couple of months and she'll suffer, then I don't want to do it, but if there's a reasonable chance she can recover or get another happy year or two with treatment then it might be worth trying.

Also, does anyone know of any vets (I'm based in Manchester) who might be able to do this sort of surgery, radiotherapy, steroids or anything else that might help her? The vet she's at now is good with rabbits but I'm not sure if they offer those kinds of services.

Thanks for your help and advice.
Click to expand...

Poor Bunny :cry: I have encountered similar scenarios in a few of my past Rabbits. It sounds as though the Vet suspects that Kibeth may have a Thymoma. Some information here :

https://www.michvma.org/resources/Documents/MVC/2018 Proceedings/graham_03.pdf

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Miscellaneous/Thymoma.htm

Perhaps you could speak with your Vet about a referral to a Specialist, the Vet could forward all the clinical details/diagnostic results to the Specialist so these would not need to be repeated.
I know of a Vet who does perform surgery in some cases of Thymoma. But the Vet is based in Kent, so a long way south for you. There is an Exotics Practice in Chorlton, Ashleigh Vets and they have three Exotics Specialists- Aidan Rafferty, Lianne Foxall and Filipe Martinho

http://ashleigh-veterinary-centre.com/contact/

I do not know if any of them have the same Surgical experience with treating Thymomas as the Vet I know of down south. But maybe you could give them a call and ask.

Very best wishes for whatever you decide xx
 
Last edited:
Thank you to everyone for your kind words and advice. It is actually ashleigh vets she was seeing so at least I know we're at a good place for rabbits.

Sadly, we decided to put Kibeth to sleep this morning. We went in to see her and speak to the vet, but he didn't think any treatments would be a success as the tumour was adherent to her heart. When we saw her she was clearly struggling to breath (though still took dandelion off me because rabbits, lol). It was a hard decision but she was obviously suffering, her breathing was laboured without the oxygen after only a minute or so with us, and we couldn't stand to see her like that or put her through any more treatments. The chance of success was very, very slim and in the meantime she was struggling to breath and clearly suffering.

Ashleigh vets were very kind with us and we had a chance to say goodbye before bringing her home for burial. I'm heart-broken, but I know we made the right decision for her, as she couldn't breath properly on her own and would probably have died if they'd attempted a surgery.

Now we just need to work out what to do about her mum, who is on her own now. We considered bringing her with us to the vets to say goodbye, but decided against it as she hates the vets and car journeys and would have been upset seeing her baby suffering. The vet suggested showing her Kibeth's body so she understands where she's gone, which apparently can help, but I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not. Maybe it's better for her not to know she's gone, or to think she's just left the nest, as it were.

Has anyone else tried this or do you have any advice about what to do for a bereaved companion? When we're ready, I'll try bonding her with another bunny so she won't be alone forever, but for now I'm not sure what to do.

Thanks again
 
NyxTaryn said:
Thank you to everyone for your kind words and advice. It is actually ashleigh vets she was seeing so at least I know we're at a good place for rabbits.

Sadly, we decided to put Kibeth to sleep this morning. We went in to see her and speak to the vet, but he didn't think any treatments would be a success as the tumour was adherent to her heart. When we saw her she was clearly struggling to breath (though still took dandelion off me because rabbits, lol). It was a hard decision but she was obviously suffering, her breathing was laboured without the oxygen after only a minute or so with us, and we couldn't stand to see her like that or put her through any more treatments. The chance of success was very, very slim and in the meantime she was struggling to breath and clearly suffering.

Ashleigh vets were very kind with us and we had a chance to say goodbye before bringing her home for burial. I'm heart-broken, but I know we made the right decision for her, as she couldn't breath properly on her own and would probably have died if they'd attempted a surgery.

Now we just need to work out what to do about her mum, who is on her own now. We considered bringing her with us to the vets to say goodbye, but decided against it as she hates the vets and car journeys and would have been upset seeing her baby suffering. The vet suggested showing her Kibeth's body so she understands where she's gone, which apparently can help, but I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not. Maybe it's better for her not to know she's gone, or to think she's just left the nest, as it were.

Has anyone else tried this or do you have any advice about what to do for a bereaved companion? When we're ready, I'll try bonding her with another bunny so she won't be alone forever, but for now I'm not sure what to do.

Thanks again
Click to expand...

I am so sorry that you had to let Kibeth go :cry: You can be assured that she had great Veterinary Care, sadly there are some illnesses that just cannot be made better or managed :cry:

With regards to your other Doe. I think you made the right decision about not taking her to the Vets. If she travels badly and gets stressed at the Vets anyway, doing so may have caused her more distress on top of the bereavement .

I always find that for a bereaved Rabbit it can help to make some subtle changes to their accommodation, adding new toys , even just an empty cereal box stuffed with hay with a couple of treats hidden in it. Things to keep Bunny mentally stimulated.

RIP Kilbeth :cry:
 
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Many people let the remaining rabbit see the body, it is up to you.
 
Very sorry you lost Kibeth, I lost my little Frankie bunny to the same thing. It was really hard going knowing we couldn't really do much for her to try and beat it :(

Sleep tight Kibeth xxx
 
So very, very sorry. You have done the right thing in ending Kibeth's distress, but I know what a heart breaking decision it is to make. Binky-free at The Bridge, beautiful girl. Xx
 
NyxTaryn said:
Thank you to everyone for your kind words and advice. It is actually ashleigh vets she was seeing so at least I know we're at a good place for rabbits.

Sadly, we decided to put Kibeth to sleep this morning. We went in to see her and speak to the vet, but he didn't think any treatments would be a success as the tumour was adherent to her heart. When we saw her she was clearly struggling to breath (though still took dandelion off me because rabbits, lol). It was a hard decision but she was obviously suffering, her breathing was laboured without the oxygen after only a minute or so with us, and we couldn't stand to see her like that or put her through any more treatments. The chance of success was very, very slim and in the meantime she was struggling to breath and clearly suffering.

Ashleigh vets were very kind with us and we had a chance to say goodbye before bringing her home for burial. I'm heart-broken, but I know we made the right decision for her, as she couldn't breath properly on her own and would probably have died if they'd attempted a surgery.

Now we just need to work out what to do about her mum, who is on her own now. We considered bringing her with us to the vets to say goodbye, but decided against it as she hates the vets and car journeys and would have been upset seeing her baby suffering. The vet suggested showing her Kibeth's body so she understands where she's gone, which apparently can help, but I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not. Maybe it's better for her not to know she's gone, or to think she's just left the nest, as it were.

Has anyone else tried this or do you have any advice about what to do for a bereaved companion? When we're ready, I'll try bonding her with another bunny so she won't be alone forever, but for now I'm not sure what to do.

Thanks again
Click to expand...


I'm so sorry for your loss but it was totally the right decision. And I am glad you were in the hands of Ashleigh Vets, who can be wonderful in these circumstances.

I did feel given the symptoms you described that your poor wee rabbit was at end stage :(

I always give the remaining partner a chance to see the rabbit that's passed away. I feel it helps with closure and then the rabbit isn't waiting day on day for him/her to come home. It's a personal decision.

I think the best thing (if you don't mind continuing the circle of rabbit-keeping) for a bereaved rabbit is another companion.

Sending hugs x
 
So sorry that you had to let your little girl go, you did the right thing by her. Binky free Kibeth xxx
 
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