Heidi cancer update March 15 2024

[InspectorMorse]

IM, Graciee, KCG,
She is almost 11, yet you would not know it by looking at her. She has remained relatively healthy until she began using her litterbox less a couple months ago. She was very good with litterbox usage for pee and poo so she had a vet visit last month and we decided not to sedate her for an x-ray. I regret that decision.
My heart is heavy.

We can only make decisions based on the information we have at the time. Last month you were unaware of the mass on her leg and so the risks of sedation for an X-ray were probably greater than treating her symptomatically. It might be the case that palliative care is still the best option for her. Limb amputation for an 11 year old Bunny is a major procedure, regardless of if there’s metastatic disease or not. I am sure that you will make any decisions regarding major surgery based on what is best for Heidi. Only you and a trusted Vet are in the position to make that judgement.

Heidi is oblivious to the serious nature of her situation and as long as she can be kept comfortable she will be happy. She won’t have the worries of ‘what ifs’, as long as she feels OK within herself then in her world all is well x

 

[Zoobec]

I’m so sorry Bunny Momma you always do the best you can for her and you weren’t to know she had this last month. Sending lots of vibes and hugs xx

 

[Omi]

I am really so sorry to read this update about Heidi. Sending her lots of vibes and I hope that there is a cancellation so that the operation can be done sooner.

 

[bunny momma]

We can only make decisions based on the information we have at the time. Last month you were unaware of the mass on her leg and so the risks of sedation for an X-ray were probably greater than treating her symptomatically. It might be the case that palliative care is still the best option for her. Limb amputation for an 11 year old Bunny is a major procedure, regardless of if there’s metastatic disease or not. I am sure that you will make any decisions regarding major surgery based on what is best for Heidi. Only you and a trusted Vet are in the position to make that judgement.

Heidi is oblivious to the serious nature of her situation and as long as she can be kept comfortable she will be happy. She won’t have the worries of ‘what ifs’, as long as she feels OK within herself then in her world all is well x

Thank you for your insight.
She is quite good with hands on care, and handling; so at least that is in favor of her having more time with or without the limb. I just hope the pain med will be sufficient to keep her comfortable.

 

[bunny momma]

I’m so sorry Bunny Momma you always do the best you can for her and you weren’t to know she had this last month. Sending lots of vibes and hugs xx

Thank you for your kind words. It does make me wonder if this is growing quickly, or if her extra weight masked the growths last month.

 

[bunny momma]

I am really so sorry to read this update about Heidi. Sending her lots of vibes and I hope that there is a cancellation so that the operation can be done sooner.

Thank you. It was such a shock because she has been so healthy over the years. She is very clean and grooms herself until every piece of her soft rex fur is in place.

 

[joey&boo]

I'm so sorry. Sending so many vibes for you both xx

 

[Pets mum]

Oh poor Heidi, really hope the meds keep her comfy until her op. Sending her loads of vibes bless her, and a big hug for you xx

 

[Craig 1965]

Sending millions of vibes for Heidi. I hope her op can be done sooner. Huge hugs to you. Xx

 

[bunny momma]

I'm so sorry. Sending so many vibes for you both xx

Thank you. I was unable to sleep last night and was in a daze most of Thursday.

 

[bunny momma]

Oh poor Heidi, really hope the meds keep her comfy until her op. Sending her loads of vibes bless her, and a big hug for you xx

Thank you. I need to be extra vigilant that she continues to eat and does not go into stasis again.

 

[bunny momma]

Sending millions of vibes for Heidi. I hope her op can be done sooner. Huge hugs to you. Xx

Thank you. Today she was enjoying a good bunny floof.

 

[dollyanna]

I'm so sorry to hear this, I hope she stays well and happy in herself until you can make the bigger decisions of surgery or not. Keep eating Heidi xxx

 

[bunny momma]

I'm so sorry to hear this, I hope she stays well and happy in herself until you can make the bigger decisions of surgery or not. Keep eating Heidi xxx

Thank you. I am sending eating vibes to your Freja.

 

[dollyanna]

Thank you. I am sending eating vibes to your Freja.

Thank you xx

 

[MimzMum]

Poor Heidi I'm so sorry you're facing this worry with her when you've still got Raven's issues and of course all the trials your human family is facing. Sending (((((Huge hugs))))) your way and many vibes for all good outcomes. xxxxx

 

[bunny momma]

Poor Heidi I'm so sorry you're facing this worry with her when you've still got Raven's issues and of course all the trials your human family is facing. Sending (((((Huge hugs))))) your way and many vibes for all good outcomes. xxxxx

Thank you.
I know you understand how difficult it is to possibly have to make a decision when there is no good choice.

 

[InspectorMorse]

Thank you.
I know you understand how difficult it is to possibly have to make a decision when there is no good choice.

Another thing to bear in mind regarding amputation is Heidi’s breed and predisposition to sore hocks and feet. Obviously a tripod Rabbit will need to take more weight on the remaining three legs. If there is already any issues with bald/inflamed/sore hocks or feet then losing a limb would make this problem worse over time. I am only mentioning this as it has been what I have had personal experience of. I have cared for 3 tripod Rabbits. Two normal coated, Cerys and Harry and one Rex, Megan. Harry and Cerys both did really well on three legs. Sadly Meg did not. She lost a hind leg and although her remaining hind leg had only a minimal amount of fur loss at the time of surgery after losing the other leg she recovered from the surgery but very quickly she developed a sore hock on her remaining hind leg and sore feet too. I had no choice other than to let her go just two months after the surgery

I am only mentioning this to enable you to make a fully informed decision. I am 100% certain that you will do what is in Heidi’s best interests. I am so sorry that you are having such a traumatic time regarding health problems in your beloved Rabbits and your human family too

 

[bunny momma]

Another thing to bear in mind regarding amputation is Heidi’s breed and predisposition to sore hocks and feet. Obviously a tripod Rabbit will need to take more weight on the remaining three legs. If there is already any issues with bald/inflamed/sore hocks or feet then losing a limb would make this problem worse over time. I am only mentioning this as it has been what I have had personal experience of. I have cared for 3 tripod Rabbits. Two normal coated, Cerys and Harry and one Rex, Megan. Harry and Cerys both did really well on three legs. Sadly Meg did not. She lost a hind leg and although her remaining hind leg had only a minimal amount of fur loss at the time of surgery after losing the other leg she recovered from the surgery but very quickly she developed a sore hock on her remaining hind leg and sore feet too. I had no choice other than to let her go just two months after the surgery

I am only mentioning this to enable you to make a fully informed decision. I am 100% certain that you will do what is in Heidi’s best interests. I am so sorry that you are having such a traumatic time regarding health problems in your beloved Rabbits and your human family too

Thank you Jane.
I do my best to think of the positive news, however small, though some days I want to pull the covers over my head and stay in bed.
I appreciate the information you shared about your mini rex and I am sorry you had to let her go. My vet said they do not do as well with missing rear legs.
Heidi's is a front leg and she is already not bearing weight on it, so wouldn't her other legs be bearing more weight making her more prone to sore hocks even if I opted for palliative care?
She does have a tiny bald patch on one of her rear hocks, and a very small callus on the other which are stable.
It does make me think that given the loss of use of her front leg, that she may benefit from her losing a little of her 1.8kg, yet keeping her eating to avoid another stasis scare is more important atm.
Sending you hugs.

 

[joey&boo]

For now I think there is some hope that amputation could well be the best treatment option for Heidi. My Joey was the same age & appeared otherwise healthy when he got his tumour but Heidi has more things going for her. That its her front paw, that she is good with hands on care and not overly active & prob smaller than Joey. If we had opted for Joeys amputation (his xrays showed undiagnosed arthritis of spine which clinched our decision to offer only palliative care) his treatment would have been meticulously monitored & if he wasn't happy we'd have opted to pts without struggling on. In my research I read some rabbits cope brilliantly.

I'm so sorry you've got so much to deal with bm. Sending lots of postive vibes for Heidi, Raven & you