Some suggestions Needed

[EJay]

My pet has a tumor in her uterus and requires surgery to remove it.

The thing is she is 9+ years old and I am unsure of what to do. Currently she has GI stasis and I am working on trying to get her gut moving again. (It’s day 2 and she hasn’t really pooped much but she is lively, and eating on her own.)

When I brought her in 2 days ago. The vet insisted/pushed for the surgery and tried to book it in for the following day. She wanted to keep her overnight and take care of the GI stasis to get her ready for the surgery the following day. I thought that would be too stressful for my rabbit. She was already scared and to leave her in an unfamiliar place with no monitoring during the night plus surgery next day did not bode well with me so I said no.  Only agreed to an x-ray and blood work. The x-ray showed there was no spread of the tumor (she did have 3 tiny dots on her liver but since my bunny is old it could be benign and told me not to worry too much about it) in her body and her blood works came out all good.

What worries me is that she did mention the mortality rate is around 25% since my rabbit is older. 25% is a lot!

I have already spent 600+ on emergency drop in, x-ray, blood work and meds. Surgery with pre op and post op care will be 500+ extra if I decide on going through with it.

My bunny is pretty hardy and I think if she did go through with it she’d do well but there is always the what if. The possibility of complications worry me and I want the best for my pet.

I want second opinion from other rabbit savvy vets but do not know where to start looking.
If anyone knows of other veterinarians who are rabbit savvy and has over 15+ years of experience in the Montreal area that would be much appreciated.

Thanks  =)

(If I posted in the wrong area sorry in advance)

[jerseygirl]

Tough decision! I think I would have hesitated also, if she is currently not well.
I had a look around on the vet list that I know of and only one is listed. Montreal Bird & Exotic Animal Hospital. http://www.birdandexoticvet.com
Is this where you have already been?
There is a rescue you could ask who they take their rabbits to. http://www.secourslapinsquebec.org/ 

It also might be worth asking the Montreal SPCA who they use for rabbit vet care.

Would a more detailed scan need to be done before surgery?

Sending many {{{{{vibes}}}}} out for your girl.

ETA: Maybe put Montreal in the thread title also. That way, anyone browsing the forums from the same city might notice the thread. 

[Q8bunny]

I don’t have any great advice to give other than: if not removed, what is your bun’s prognosis re: quality of life and length of survival etc. Then you compare to 25% mortality rate during surgery for an elderly bun. Whether you go ahead with the surgery or just provide palliative care for your bun’s remaining time with you, is ultimately something you’ll need to decide since you know your bunny best. A second opinion can’t hurt, obviously, but I fear that ultimately the decisionmaking will come down to the same few factors.

(((((((((bunny)))))))))

[EJay]

@Jerseygirl = Hello and thanks for your response. =)
Yes, that is the one I currently go to. It’s my first time seeing the veterinarian. All the previous ones I’ve know have long gone. So I feel nervous cause she seems young and she had a trainee following her around which made me even more nervous. (I don’t want my rabbit to be someone’s practice patient.)

The veterinarian said nothing about needing a more detailed scan.(Thought she did give an option of an ultrasound but it would have to be done at the bigger vet clinic in Laval since they do not have that kind of equipment. 440+tax) She just simply said there was a tumor on her uterus and that if she did the surgery she would just remove the tumor and uterus. So I am guessing it’s a straight forward surgery. The tech told me it should take 30min-1hr max, if all goes well.

Thanks for the vibes and link, I will ask them. =)

@Q8bunny = Hello and thanks for your response. =)
Before the x-ray she said that my bunny may have a few weeks to a month.(presuming the tumor was malignant and spread. If it was than the surgery would be off the table since there is no point in one.)
After the x-ray she didn’t really say other than push for surgery.

Inside, I have already made my decision. I want it to be removed. I saw the x-ray and it did not look malignant. I know if the tumor is left alone it will grow and obstruct her from pooping. My bunny is pretty hardy and she doesn’t even behave like a senior rabbit so I feel she will pull through fine. (Once the GI stasis is taken care of.) =)

I just want it done by the most experienced. Montreal Bird & Exotic Animal Hospital does not have monitoring at night so that worries me and the vet I saw has only worked there for 7years and that doesn’t feel long enough. I want someone that has more than 7years under their belt and that can monitor her over night after the operation.

[Q8bunny]

That makes sense. I hope you find a vet you’re comfortable with soon. Let us know how things go if you have the chance… (((((((((bun bun)))))))))

[EJay]

~ Update ~

I found a veterinarian I’m comfortable with (15+ years experience/skilled and he used to be my old vet.) He preformed the surgery today.
He called a few minutes ago to tell me that the surgery was successful but that he found tiny specks of peritonitis while removing her uterus/tumor.
He checked all her organs (minus the liver) and found them all to be in good health. Tumor was intact and not bleeding/did not spread. No puncture holes or what not. He has no idea where the peritonitis could have started. The last time she had a blood work her organs all checked out as healthy and functioning well.

The vet told me she is stable, on antibiotics and is getting ready to wake up. ;u;
He said she will be monitored closely since she has an infection.

Does anyone know what peritonitis is? Is it dangerous? How can bunny’s get it? Will it go away after antibiotic treatment? ;u;

[Wick & Fable]

“Peritonitis is usually infectious and often life-threatening. It’s caused by leakage or a hole in the intestines, such as from a burst appendix. Even if the fluid is sterile, inflammation can occur.

Symptoms usually include pain, tenderness, rigid abdominal muscles, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
Antibiotics are almost always needed, along with surgery or drainage.”

— As stated by google, for humans.

For rabbits:

“Peritonitis is the term used to describe inflammation of the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of the abdominal organs. Peritonitis can be very severe in rabbits and life threatening in many cases. For this reason it is essential to identify and treat the cause as soon as possible. ”

”

Intensive medical and supportive treatment is generally necessary. This consists of fluid therapy to treat the shock, broad spectrum antibiotics, strong painkillers, and assisted feeding. In severe cases, abdominal lavage under general anaesthesia is also performed. Abdominal lavage consists of profuse flushing of the abdominal cavity with warm sterile saline in order to remove the contaminating material and ‘clean’ the abdominal cavity as much as possible.

As part of treatment, it is also necessary to identify the cause of peritonitis and remove or treat it when possible. It is often a waiting game to see if the rabbit responds to treatment, which can take many days or weeks of intensive treatment.”

— Those are passages from online….. it seems it is dangerous, but treatable if you’re committed to the treatment.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Q8bunny]

Poor girlie… it’s a good thing she had the surgery, then… it will have vastly improved her chances now that she’s getting treatment and the tumour’s been removed. Hoping all the best for her. (((((((((brave bun bun)))))))))

[Bam]

Hopefully the peritonitis will be cured with antibiotics. I don’t know if it could be a reaction to some molecules or other the tumor cells have produced. Tumor cells produce lots of signaling molecules to enable their own proliferation and disable the body’s defenses. Maybe getting the tumor out will stop the inflammatory process? I’m glad she had the surgery. Many many healing vibes for her!!!

[Deleted User]

Hi EJay, so sorry to hear about your bunny’s health troubles. It sounds like she has had a good life with a very caring owner

I’m sorry that the vet cannot determine the cause of peritonitis. I am not familiar with what causes it in rabbits. I know that in humans, peritonitis is serious and it can be caused by something such as appendicitis, which is why appendicitis requires emergency surgery. But I think that it is secondary to infection, like a ruptured abscess, which releases pus and causes infection. Sorry, I work in a hospital but I am not a medical professional. I have just acquired some very limited medical knowledge lol.
  
Does the vet know what kind of infection she has? She is not septic is she?

[EJay]

Thank you all for your replies.

@Wick ~ Dear lord that doesn’t sound good at all. I don’t know if I can keep on hemorrhaging mulla.

@Q8bunny ~ Thank you for the best wishes I too hope she gets better soon.

@bam ~ Thanks for the healing vibes. My bunny needs all the positive energy she can get. ;u;
I went to go see her in the evening and the vet said she is stable but he’s concerned that she’s really weak. She really hasn’t fully woken up and she has no appetite and won’t take in any of the force feedings. ;u;

@BunNoob ~ I don’t know he only said he found tiny specks of peritonitis. I had forgotten to ask him when I went in the evening to visit my pet. She isn’t septic. After the successful surgery, early afternoon, she was good and stable but when I went to go see her this evening the vet said she was still stable (boarder line) but he’s worried that she’s really weak. She’s older than 9 (possibly 10+) and the surgery may have possibly took a toll on her. He said he was going to be taking her home with him with the incubator and monitoring her at his place during the night. ;u;
Tomorrow he’ll give me an update…I am hoping it will be good news.

[Q8bunny]

Wow. I must say, that is one heck of a vet, to bring her home with him for round the clock observation. I so hope she pulls through… if only because she’s obviously surrounded by people who care about her well being.

[jerseygirl]

Adding some {{{vibes}}} for your girl? Is that her in your avatar? Such a sweet little face!

You’ve been so brave to go ahead with surgery. I would have made that choice also (and been a nervous wreck!). Even if my rabbit passed during procedure, I would take solace that is was a gentle passing. Had she not had the surgery, the peritonitis could very well not been discovered.

I have to wonder if it is a result of the stasis she had OR the cause for the stasis, perhaps due to ulcers in the gut?

It’s wonderful your vet is taking her home to care for her. This surgery would be a shock to her body but it sounds as if they are doing all they can to keep her stable. Keeping her warm and appropriate pain management are critical.

Again, sending many {{{recovery vibes}}} her way, I hope you are doing okay also!

[Deleted User]

That’s really awesome of your vet!

I’m sure that it’s rough for her, but it’s wonderful that she has a vet that is truly concerned with her well being! Sending healing vibes for the sweet little floof And positive vibes for you! Don’t lose hope, she may pull through this!

Keep us updated, I’d love to know how she’s doing! And I agree with Jersey, very tough decision to make but I think you made the right one

[EJay]

~ Update ~

Bad news

She passed away last night peacefully.
He said that she started eating a lot in the evening and was doing well but then after an hour or 2 when he went to go check on her she had passed in the same spot he had left her. There was no signs of distress or anything she seemed to have passed peacefully in her sleep. =(

Thanks for all the cares. I will be going in, in the afternoon to pick her up.

[jerseygirl]

Oh, I am so sorry. You must be heart broken. Im glad the vet is of the opinion she passed in her sleep. Though not there with you, it would have been a gentle way for her to slip away.

***Binky Free Little One***

[Bam]

I’m so very sorry. I’m glad she seems to have passed peacefully, with a tummy full of good food.

****Binky Free, little bun**** You were very dearly loved.

[Deleted User]

So sorry to hear that

I hope that you can soon recover emotionally (and financially) !! You did everything you could for her.

((((((binky free)))))))

[Q8bunny]

I’m so sorry to hear it… you really did do your best for her, and I’m sure she was aware of how much you loved her. She is at peace now…
(((Binky free, sweet bun.)))

[EJay]

Thank you for your kind replies ~

@jerseygirl ~ I actually dreamt last night she was enjoying some veggies. So when I got the call and he said he had given her the veggies I packed and he gave some other herbs he picked from his garden last night, I was very happy to hear that. She went peacefully with a happy full belly.

When I went to pick her up the vet mentioned that he smelled something foul in her mouth. He had checked her teeth but it looked fine. He thought that possibly she had a cavity. (probably only noticeable with x-ray.) Could be the reason for her peritonitis. Also it could have been ulcers like you mentioned. Before her surgery the vet did prescribe ranitidine in case she did have them.

@bam ~That’s what I thought too. She died with a happy tummy.

@BunNoob ~ Emotionally I am slowly accepting she is gone. Not entirely sad since she went peacefully. I am content she went out sleeping with a belly full of yummy foods. Financially, I spend a total of 1606.70$, (combination of the 2 vet clinics) I have no regrets. I managed to pay it all.

@Q8bunny ~ Thank you =) I am happy knowing that the vet I picked was there to look after her till the end. So I know she died peacefully with a happy little belly full of yummy food.

[Deleted User]

I didn’t mean that the money was a big deal, I’m just sure it was expensive! Of course it was worth it for your lovely bun

[Author]

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