Harley's thread - Confusing update #56

I just had a devastating phone call from the vet. Harley's blood results came back. It doesn't seem he has EC after all. The blood results are pointing to lymphoma.
He's booked to see the exotics vet on Friday again, but I don't know how we go forward from here, what chances he has etc. I know nothing about lymphoma other than it being a deadly form of cancer He mentioned it in the bone marrow and possibly liver involvement but I was a bit too stunned to ask questions.
He offered steriods or chemo. He said chemo is very intensive so that is a worry as he's not good. But I don't know how steroids would help?
I'm scared I won't be able to afford chemo. I don't know how much it will cost but looking it up in dogs it seems that it can be thousands of pounds. If I had it I'd pay it without a thought but..
I'm just stunned at the moment. I can't believe this can be happening. He's barely 6 months old. This is so wrong

Edit 17/09/19: I've changed the thread name as lymphoma is considered unlikely now - update on #38

So sorry to hear this, I have no experience so can't offer any advice, just hugs for you and little Harley. I hope the vet can give you a bit more advice, steroids may just help in terms of being a powerful anti-inflammatory but I'm not sure how that would affect lymphoma symptoms.

Am really sorry to read your news and can imagine how overwhelmed you must feel. Hopefully the vet can give you some more information about the options in terms of success rates and costs. Thinking of you both xx

~ILoveMyBunny~ said:

I just had a devastating phone call from the vet. Harley's blood results came back. It doesn't seem he has EC after all. The blood results are pointing to lymphoma.
He's booked to see the exotics vet on Friday again, but I don't know how we go forward from here, what chances he has etc. I know nothing about lymphoma other than it being a deadly form of cancer He mentioned it in the bone marrow and possibly liver involvement but I was a bit too stunned to ask questions.
He offered steriods or chemo. He said chemo is very intensive so that is a worry as he's not good. But I don't know how steroids would help?
I'm scared I won't be able to afford chemo. I don't know how much it will cost but looking it up in dogs it seems that it can be thousands of pounds. If I had it I'd pay it without a thought but..
I'm just stunned at the moment. I can't believe this can be happening. He's barely 6 months old. This is so wrong

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Oh no, I am so sorry. Until the Specialist has seen the results and assessed Harley then try very hard not to focus on Lymphoma being a certainty. My Lord Herbert was at one stage thought to have Lymphoma, but as it turned out he did not.

I have had one Rabbit with confirmed Lymphoma, I opted for palliative care for him (which included use of a corticosteroid) rather than Chemotherapy as I simply could not afford the chemo and the Bunny was not insured.

Although I am not a Vet and so my comments here are purely 'unqualified', I would be extremely surprised if the Specialist confirmed a diagnosis of Lymphoma. For a start being on Fenbendazole (Panacur) can affect blood test results re Liver function and give some results which may indicate a problem with bone marrow function..............

I can totally understand how your mind has gone into a spin after receiving the call from your current Vet. I too find it near on impossible not to always think 'worse case scenario'. But for now try to live in the moment with Harley, who is blissfully unaware of all the worries about his health. If the Specialist does confirm a diagnosis of Lymphoma then you will always have our support when it comes to making decisions about how to manage his condition.

I dont think now is a good time to bombard you with links to various sources of information. So I will just send Harley many vibes and send you lots of hugs xx

Thanks for getting back so quick and for being so supportive. You're all so wonderful.
I'm in a bit of shock at the moment in all honesty. He's suffering badly with the head tilt and the rolling (though possibly improved very slightly on the rolling the past few days) but other than that he seems so strong. He's got so much fight in him and sheer strength, as you find out when you try giving him medication. He's eating as though someone will take his food away at any moment. The amount of hay he goes through is unbelievable.
He seems so strong. If it wasn't for the tilt and rolling you'd never know anything was wrong.
I just can't believe it.
It's hard for me to remember exactly what the vet said now as it really took me by surprise but he said it's looking like it is lymphoma and made it sound like it almost certainly is. But maybe I'm wrong? It's hard to remember the phone call now, it was such a shock.
What could/woud be done to confirm the diagnosis?

Edit: I'm waiting for a call back (hopefully) as I forgot to ask if I should be continuing meds (fenbendazole, sulfatrim, metacam) or not. He's out of metacam so I'd need some more if he should be on that :?

Edit 2: I forgot to mention he also said he was anemic. Can I do anything to help boost that? He gets a lot of dark leafy greens.

~ILoveMyBunny~ said:

Thanks for getting back so quick and for being so supportive. You're all so wonderful.
I'm in a bit of shock at the moment in all honesty. He's suffering badly with the head tilt and the rolling (though possibly improved very slightly on the rolling the past few days) but other than that he seems so strong. He's got so much fight in him and sheer strength, as you find out when you try giving him medication. He's eating as though someone will take his food away at any moment. The amount of hay he goes through is unbelievable.
He seems so strong. If it wasn't for the tilt and rolling you'd never know anything was wrong.
I just can't believe it.
It's hard for me to remember exactly what the vet said now as it really took me by surprise but he said it's looking like it is lymphoma and made it sound like it almost certainly is. But maybe I'm wrong? It's hard to remember the phone call now, it was such a shock.
What could/woud be done to confirm the diagnosis?

Edit: I'm waiting for a call back (hopefully) as I forgot to ask if I should be continuing meds (fenbendazole, sulfatrim, metacam) or not. He's out of metacam so I'd need some more if he should be on that :?

Edit 2: I forgot to mention he also said he was anemic. Can I do anything to help boost that? He gets a lot of dark leafy greens.

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I'd ask the Vet if there is any chance that the abnormal blood test results could be medication induced. Although this relates to a dog, have a read

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3693032

Thanks Jane, I'll take a look at it now.
It's agonising having to wait until Friday. His appointment should have been today at our local surgery but the car is off the road as it needs it's MOT (my Mum's just taken it up so hoping it passes, if not I have no idea how I'll get him all the way to Swansea )
I just can't believe this is happening. I didn't think it could get any worse than losing Maple at 2 1/2yrs. This little bun has stolen our hearts. We all love him so much. To potentially be losing him this young. I just can't imagine it.
He's so incredibly strong. I can't imagine him as having cancer.
Just... Agh

My goodness, I never thought about it potentially being drug induced. I'll mention it to the vet just in case when I see him. If it isn't EC I assume he'll be coming off the fendendazole and sulfatrim? I hope they don't forget to call me back as I don't know what I should or shouldn't be giving him. I imagine the metacam should be continued but I don't have any left.
Thank you so much Jane and all of your for your support. Feeling lost and broken right now so it's really appreciated.
I'm not ready to be going through this again. He has so much life ahead of him. This is so unfair.

~ILoveMyBunny~ said:

Thanks Jane, I'll take a look at it now.
It's agonising having to wait until Friday. His appointment should have been today at our local surgery but the car is off the road as it needs it's MOT (my Mum's just taken it up so hoping it passes, if not I have no idea how I'll get him all the way to Swansea )
I just can't believe this is happening. I didn't think it could get any worse than losing Maple at 2 1/2yrs. This little bun has stolen our hearts. We all love him so much. To potentially be losing him this young. I just can't imagine it.
He's so incredibly strong. I can't imagine him as having cancer.
Just... Agh

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At the moment try to hold on to the fact that there is a good chance that he does NOT have cancer. There are so many other possibilities that need to be ruled out first. In my unqualified opinion the effects of the medication on his blood test results being one. Also, Harley does not sound to be in the least bit bothered by his problems, his Rex 'greedy' gene is clearly firing on all cylinders !! He sounds to be happy within himself and I think he'd want you to tag along with the 'happy Bunny' ride. I do know what a big ask that is, having cared for numerous chronically and/or terminally ill Rabbits over the last 22 years. But if you can live in the moment with Harley, enjoy every second with him . All the 'what ifs' are out of your control, but having good quality time with Harley now is not. He will pick up on any upset. So allow yourself a good cry in the loo or something. But try to feed off Harley's positive attitude, it will help both of you.

Hope the car passes it's MOT xx

Thanks Jane. I know you're absolutely 100% right, I've learned over the years just how sensitive rabbits are to emotions. They pick up on everything. I know I shouldn't show him anything. But I'm so devastated right now, it's so hard.
He's struggling with the mobility, the rolling is quite bad. If he's out of his pen he just rolls endlessly. But that aside he's most certainly his normal self. As you say his greedy rex gene couldn't be working better. He's in a constant state of starvation (apparently) and needs to eat everything in sight.
It's a wonderfully positive thing to see when you've just seen him rolling badly.
But hiding this from him is hard. I feel so broken and negative. I've held on to hope before and had it shattered and I can't shake the negative feeling.
There's nothing Harley loves more than running. To think that he may never run again is devastating.
I'm sorry, I just feel so broken

I'm so sorry you've received such awful news. I know it's so hard at the moment but try and focus on the fact that the tests are indicating lymphoma and nothing's confirmed until you see the specialist on Friday.

Friday seems such a long way away but hopefully it means you will have a few days to absorb the shock and maybe get a chance to write down a list of questions for the specialist. I know it can sometimes be difficult to remember everything during the consultation itself.

Lots of hugs for you and nose rubs for Harley. I can only imagine how difficult it is for you right now xx

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~ILoveMyBunny~ said:

Thanks Jane. I know you're absolutely 100% right, I've learned over the years just how sensitive rabbits are to emotions. They pick up on everything. I know I shouldn't show him anything. But I'm so devastated right now, it's so hard.
He's struggling with the mobility, the rolling is quite bad. If he's out of his pen he just rolls endlessly. But that aside he's most certainly his normal self. As you say his greedy rex gene couldn't be working better. He's in a constant state of starvation (apparently) and needs to eat everything in sight.
It's a wonderfully positive thing to see when you've just seen him rolling badly.
But hiding this from him is hard. I feel so broken and negative. I've held on to hope before and had it shattered and I can't shake the negative feeling.
There's nothing Harley loves more than running. To think that he may never run again is devastating.
I'm sorry, I just feel so broken

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(((((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))))))))))))) xx

Sending lots of vibes for Harley.

Thanks all.
The car failed the MOT due to and emissionse problem and can't be fixed or retested until Friday about an hour before the appointment. There's no way we'd make it.
I have no idea what a taxi will cost to Swansea, it's about half an hour away, or even if they'll take a rabbit on board. I'll see if a friend can take me but it's an added stress we don't need. I'm not sure how or if I'm going to be able to get there.
To add to things I've just found a not-so-great looking lump on Snowflake. It was there before but it's got bigger suddenly. Literally the last thing we needed today. Now she needs to see a vet too. This is unbelievable.

~ILoveMyBunny~ said:

Thanks all.
The car failed the MOT due to and emissionse problem and can't be fixed or retested until Friday about an hour before the appointment. There's no way we'd make it.
I have no idea what a taxi will cost to Swansea, it's about half an hour away, or even if they'll take a rabbit on board. I'll see if a friend can take me but it's an added stress we don't need. I'm not sure how or if I'm going to be able to get there.
To add to things I've just found a not-so-great looking lump on Snowflake. It was there before but it's got bigger suddenly. Literally the last thing we needed today. Now she needs to see a vet too. This is unbelievable.

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Hopefully a friend can give you a lift to the appointment. Where is the 'lump' on Snowflake ?

It's just in front of her ear under all the fluff. It's a round skin-tag like lump, but fairly large. I remember noting it about a year ago but it was smaller. I've kept an eye on it but hadn't noticed until today that it's suddenly got bigger. I don't know how it got so big without me noticing but it's definitly something I want to get checked.
Not sure how well this will show it as the little pain wouldn't keep still:

I really should have seen it sooner I've been so focused on Harley the last month or two that I really haven't been as thorough as usual with the others.

~ILoveMyBunny~ said:

It's just in front of her ear under all the fluff. It's a round skin-tag like lump, but fairly large. I remember noting it about a year ago but it was smaller. I've kept an eye on it but hadn't noticed until today that it's suddenly got bigger. I don't know how it got so big without me noticing but it's definitly something I want to get checked.
Not sure how well this will show it as the little pain wouldn't keep still:

I really should have seen it sooner I've been so focused on Harley the last month or two that I really haven't been as thorough as usual with the others.

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Looks like a papiloma to me, but obviously that's just a guess. The shope Papilloma virus is BENIGN

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/viral/Shope_papillomavirus.htm

Lord H has several in his ears, one on his right eyelid and a few near his willy. If it is growing a lot now, growing quickly and or bothering her the Vet may suggest removing it. Some nodules can shrink and fully resolve over the course of a year or so.

Just sending vibes for you all, so sorry you are having such a stressful week. x

Thinking of you and sending lots of vibes and hugs xx

Just wanted to send some love and support. I will have everything crossed that it's not lymphoma. Try to stay positive and until you get a definite answer. Xx

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