Experience with lumps?

[MoominBunny]

Hi everyone!

First time posting here, I’m just a little bit stressed and was hoping for some advice. Sorry in advance that this is a long one but I’m worried there’s some clue we’re missing!

My little bun Moomin is 8 years old, she’s been pretty much in perfect health until now. For context her partner died of presumed E. Cuniculi a year ago, she was then put on a course of meds after this and the vet gave her the all clear although she was never tested for it. We also cleaned everything thoroughly after this.

Two weeks ago she stopped eating and was stomach pressing and seemed very uncomfortable, so I took her to the vet for suspected stasis. As expected, when we got there they confirmed she was suffering from bloating and so had stopped eating - we couldn’t really figure out what but they gave us some motility drugs and some painkillers and we went home.

After a couple of days of meds and force feeding, she seemed pretty much back to normal - eating, drinking, pooping, and behaving her usual self. We continued the meds for a full week on advice of the vet, and once we stopped she seemed fine for a few days. She was eating her hay, greens and also eventually went back onto her pellets.

However, after a couple of days off her meds, she slowed down on eating - she wouldn’t eat her pellets anymore, only greens and hay, and she wasn’t eating as much as normal of those either, she also wasn’t pooping much. By Sunday evening we had to force feed her again, and called the vets first thing on Monday. They didn’t have an appointment until today, but in the meantime she was eating a little more and pooping again so we agreed to wait until today. I noticed yesterday she seems to have a slight sore hock, so we put some soft blankets down for her in the meantime. She didn’t seem to be uncomfortable but was sitting strangely, holding her foot up. She’s also sitting and lying in her litter box, which she’s never done before.

I took her to the vet today and he checked out her stomach and foot. When checking her stomach, he noticed a hard lump in her abdomen which he seemed concerned about. He said it could either be a growth, or it was possible it’s just that her bladder is inflamed, but he had never felt one this hard in his experience.

In the past she’s not had bladder issues. We need to take her for an ultrasound, the earliest appointment is on Friday. He gave her an injection for pain and some painkillers for home in the meantime. I’m confused because I also noticed the lump, but only since a couple of days ago. If it had been there longer I feel like I would’ve noticed because I’ve been giving her stomach massages every few hours the gas. I also feel like the vet would’ve noticed when we took her in 2 weeks ago if it was there then? So I’m confused how it could’ve come so quickly, or we all missed it… It doesn’t seem to hurt her even slightly when we touch it, and it’s beneath the skin. It’s small, maybe the size of a 20p coin.

Since we got home she’s behaving normally if a little sluggishly (I think just from the meds) and is eating hay, but seems to be drinking a lot more than normal. I’m watching her like a hawk so worried I’m imagining symptoms. She’s still sitting a lot in her litter box.

Has anyone got any experience with a lump like this that WASN’T something horribly serious? How likely is it that this is going to be something terrible? I’ve been googling and spiralling since the vets and Friday seems a long long way off at this point… I’d also really appreciate any advice for things worth asking the vet about whilst we’re there.

She’s a sweet angel and very understanding of everything going on so I’m not too worried about having to give meds or force feed if needed - even the vets always comment on how sweet and well behaved she is when she’s there. I’m just really worried and hoping she’s going to be ok.

Thanks to anyone who made it all the way through this, apologies for the incredibly long post!

 

[Shimmer]

A few thoughts that may or may not be relevant here:

Is she still on any pain meds? They can make a huge difference.
Have her teeth been checked? If she's consistently off a certain type of food, that's the first thing that comes to mind.
Is she pooing OK? Size, shape, texture, quantity.
Did the vet check her blood sugar levels? It is an indicator of gut blockage or partial blockage if it's high.
Common causes of a blockage / partial blockage include ingested fur, and backed up faecal matter (which gets drier the longer it sits there). There could also be something external to the gut but pressing on it (eg abscess). Deffo needs further investigation.

Sore hocks: do her nails need trimming? Does she have arthritis (eg spine, leg joints)? Anything that means her weight isn't evenly distributed over her feet will encourage sore spots, and ought to be addressed. The blankets are a good idea (assuming she doesn't ingest that)

I would be inclined to ask about xrays done of her skull (teeth) and abdomen (for blockages, gas, & anything abnormal), assuming she is fit enough for sedation.

 

[MoominBunny]

A few thoughts that may or may not be relevant here:

Is she still on any pain meds? They can make a huge difference.
Have her teeth been checked? If she's consistently off a certain type of food, that's the first thing that comes to mind.
Is she pooing OK? Size, shape, texture, quantity.
Did the vet check her blood sugar levels? It is an indicator of gut blockage or partial blockage if it's high.
Common causes of a blockage / partial blockage include ingested fur, and backed up faecal matter (which gets drier the longer it sits there). There could also be something external to the gut but pressing on it (eg abscess). Deffo needs further investigation.

Sore hocks: do her nails need trimming? Does she have arthritis (eg spine, leg joints)? Anything that means her weight isn't evenly distributed over her feet will encourage sore spots, and ought to be addressed. The blankets are a good idea (assuming she doesn't ingest that)

I would be inclined to ask about xrays done of her skull (teeth) and abdomen (for blockages, gas, & anything abnormal), assuming she is fit enough for sedation.

Thank you for the reply!

She is back on the pain meds since today, we’ll keep them going until we’re told otherwise. Her teeth seem absolutely perfect apparently, shouldn’t be causing her any issues - same for her claws, we keep them trimmed. Is it possible she’s got issues that aren’t visible from the outside?

She’s pooping ok, not as much as usual and they are a little small. Yesterday they were small and hard but today they’re getting more like normal.

The vet seemed to think her sore hock was quite minor, so we’re putting some bepanthen on it and monitoring. She’s not one for eating/ chewing her blankets usually but I’ll keep a close eye on that too, good point!

The blockage is a good point - that’s what they were looking for when they found the lump. The vet doesn’t seem to think there’s a blockage but do you think it’s worth insisting on an X-ray anyway? Would it be picked up otherwise in the ultrasound do you think?

Thank you again for the help, I’m spiralling over here a bit and my boyfriend is doing the whole annoying “it will be ok” thing he means well but it’s not helping!

 

[Shimmer]

I've never had ultrasound done on a rabbit, only Xrays, so I can't help with that. My vet has to book someone to come in to do ultrasound examinations - so Xrays are the default option for me.

Teeth issues often can't be seen while a rabbit is conscious. Tooth roots can also cause issues - and are only seen on xrays. Both the roots and crowns continually grow. Pressure from the roots can make eating some types of food much more painful.

Sore hock may be just due to the current situation - she's sitting differently because she's in discomfort.

You are doing a wonderful job under stressful circumstances.

 

[MoominBunny]

I've never had ultrasound done on a rabbit, only Xrays, so I can't help with that. My vet has to book someone to come in to do ultrasound examinations - so Xrays are the default option for me.

Teeth issues often can't be seen while a rabbit is conscious. Tooth roots can also cause issues - and are only seen on xrays. Both the roots and crowns continually grow. Pressure from the roots can make eating some types of food much more painful.

Sore hock may be just due to the current situation - she's sitting differently because she's in discomfort.

You are doing a wonderful job under stressful circumstances.

Ah really? Interesting, for us we have the opposite - ultrasound is the default. Let’s see what they find, hopefully an X-ray afterwards won’t be necessary but from what you mention about the teeth, it might be.

Her sore hock already seems to be bothering her much less at least, so the painkillers are doing something!

Thank you so much for the advice and kind words, will keep this thread updated as we have more news

 

[bunny momma]

Sending positive vibes for your bunny and you. I know how stressful it is to have to wait for answers. How soon after the ultrasound will you get results?

 

[MoominBunny]

Thank you! I’m not sure, I’m hoping same day but I think it depends if they will be able/ need to do further testing after the ultrasound that same day…

 

[Shimmer]

If it looks external to the guts, they could look at a fine needle aspiration of the mass. That helps to determine what it is by the cells that are removed. Ultrasound is used to guide the needle, if it's appropriate to do it.

 

[MoominBunny]

Good to know, thank you! So hopefully we have some conclusive answers on Friday… For now am trying to stay hopeful that it’s something minor and easily resolved that doesn’t require surgery