Nancy's Peripheral AmeloPeriphera Sad update 13 May 22 p20

Nancy has had a small growth/lump just inside the left hand side of her mouth for a while now. My vet had been monitoring it. It has not stopped her eating. She is on daily Metacam for arthritis and does not show pain from it.

On Monday she had an elective dental. A recent health check showed one of her teeth was growing towards her cheek and if left would cause problems, possibly another abscess, so we felt a quick dental now, rather than waiting for her to have problems, was the best way forward.

Whilst under GA we opted to have a biopsy of the small growth and also an xray.

My vet rang yesterday with the results of the biopsy which indicated a Peripheral Ameloblastoma. He explained this type of tumour is unlikely to spread to other organs and is usually localised, but can affect the jaw bone as it grows.

He also explained it is extremely rare. The lab had only ever seen this in 4 other rabbits and were quite 'excited' about it and referred to other specialists before passing the results to my vet.

To remove the tumour will involve major surgery and possible facial reconstruction. I have every faith in my (Exotics) vet to do this, however it was his suggestion to continue to monitor as we have been doing and if/when it starts to affect her adversely we will have 'the decision' to make.

Nancy will be 9 soon, is an EC bunny and given these two factors we decided not to put her through such major procedure.

The lab have asked if we are happy for Alex (vet) to give them feedback on how this progresses with Nancy which I have agreed to. Apparently of the other 4 rabbits the lab were aware of, one was a lot younger than Nancy and had the tumour successfully removed, one was put to sleep immediately on receiving diagnosis and there was no feedback on the other two.

I realise there is more than one lab doing such tests and wondered if anyone else has experience of this type of tumour?

Please could I ask you keep my girl in your thoughts.

Oh I am sorry to hear this. The only oral tumour I have had experience with was a Fibrosarcoma. I hope that Nancy can remain comfortable for as long as possible. I agree with your decision not to opt for aggressive surgery.

I'm also sorry to hear this. I've no experience, but wish your girl good health for as long as possible xx

I'm so sorry to see this about beautiful Nancy. Sending her loads of vibes and I hope that she can remain happy and comfortable for a long time yet.

I don’t have any experience of this but I would have made the same decision as you in the same circumstances. Sending lots of vibes xx

I am sorry to hear this - for what it's worth I think you have made the right decision, and you might well be pleasantly surprised and it never really bothers her. Fingers crossed xxx

Sending Nancy plenty of positive vibes, and some for you too

Lots of vibes for Nancy from me, too. I hope it will continue not to bother her and that she'll stay comfortable. And like the others, I would've made the same decision you did.

Quick update on Nancy one year on from diagnosis.

We thought we would have to let her go a few weeks ago. Her tumour had been growing and significantly protruding from her mouth. She still had a good appetite and enjoyed life, continuing to hop round the garden and groom Will, but was struggling to eat and had clearly lost weight. We also needed to bathe it regularly to avoid debris building up on it - she did tolerate this well.

However after a long weekend away with my (adult) son looking after the buns, the debris had built up and it wouldn't bathe off. The tumour also bled a little. So we stopped and arranged a vet appointment with the amazing Alex.

He hadn't seen her since December and was surprised how quickly it had grown.

She had lost around 500 grams and Alex was unable to clean it without making it bleed. He asked how she was generally and after giving her a thorough health check, he suggested a debulking procedure. He said if it went smoothly it should take no longer than a dental. We had previously said we would not put her through lengthy surgery to totally remove the growth, but after much deliberation we agreed to the surgery on the basis that if it turned out that nothing could be done that he would let her go whilst under GA.

So on 22 March we said our goodbyes and handed her to Alex's care. I got the phone call just before lunchtime. She had been stable under GA and he had been able to remove a large piece of the growth. We picked her up at 7pm that day and brought her home to Will.

She was a bit groggy for a couple of days, but now, 2 weeks later, she is like a new bunny. She us eating anything and everything and has already gained 150 grams. Alex was very pleased with her at her secon post op check.

I don't know who is the more fantastic- Alex for suggesting and then carrying out the procedure (he even swapped shifts so he could perform it sooner) or my amazing little trouper Nancy for being such a fighter. (She will be 10 in July)[emoji177][emoji195][emoji177].

Before and after pics below.

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What an uplifting update I am so pleased. I was only just wondering how Nancy was when I saw your other thread about Will. Sending lots of love to her.

Awwww so pleased that she came through the procedure well and I am sure that she is more comfortable now

Pleased she came through the OP well,sending healing vibes for lovely Nancy. X

Brilliant

Great news

What a lovely update [emoji3590]

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Oh bless her, what a little fighter, really pleased that it went so well

Omi said:

What an uplifting update I am so pleased. I was only just wondering how Nancy was when I saw your other thread about Will. Sending lots of love to her.

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Thank you. I haven't been on RU in ages. But everyone here appreciates all things bunny than on Facebook.

[emoji177][emoji195][emoji177][emoji195]

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It warmed my heart to read that you and your vet worked together to get Nancy more quality time with you and Will.
She does not look like a 10 year old.
Sending vibes you will have much more time together.

What a brilliant update! Well done Alex and well done Nancy!!

Nancy is being helped to the Bridge later this morning. Last Thursday she had breathing issues, mouth breathing and wheezing. She spent the day at the vets where she had oxygen and was syringe fed. Bloods and urine samples were obtained and sent for analysis. She rallied and was treated for a respiratory infection. She had a further check Monday and seemed brighter and had maintained her weight over the weekend. Her vet, Alex, warned the breathing are likely to be caused by the tumour as, although the external mass was removed, it will be internal too.

However she wasn't her usual self and we were supplementing her with critical care, which she fortunately liked. But refused banana and was sometimes tooth grinding as if in pain a few hour's before her Metacam was due.

Yesterday she was due her triple booster. It was the first Morning since the breathing episode that she charged over for breakfast and barged Will out of the way. However at the vet check late yesterday afternoon he said her breathing was laboured again and she was very agitated. He didn't do her booster but gave further antibiotics and increased her Metacam dose.

This morning she is wheezy again and does not want to eat, even through the syringe.

We always said that when Nancy refused treats, we would know she is very poorly and so with very heavy hearts, we made the decision to end her suffering.

Thankfully Alex is in today.