She is five, she freeroams and i handle her and her partner gogo as little as possible because they're both rescues and work on a pet-me-with-your-eyes policy. We cut their toenails a week ago and didn't notice the growing mass on her tummy till we took her to the vets last night because her poops were questionable for a few days but her demeanor was absolutely fine and we just changed hay brands, and her husbun gogo was fine so it was probably just nothing.
But it wasn't. There was a large tumor and multiple abnormalities throughout her body. We got a second opinion from an exotic specialist today, who felt and found the additional abnormalities throughout her body that meant removing the initial tumor was pointless and we should enjoy the time we have left.
Even if we found the biggest tummy tumor months ago, removing it would have been traumatic and might not have prevented the other growths forming across her body, it might not have been the first one to develop even though it was the most aggressive and obvious.
I want to post this because I'm sad and I'm writing about my experience to get it out. But maybe you have low contact buns and you can maybe check their tums for lumps and abnormalities against their behest.
Tummy checks for lumps werent on my to do list, and they might not have prevented my situation but they could save your buns and your heartache. And they will be my behavior moving forward
As a break and psa tldr
Lady wasnt eating all her cecotropes (because the tumor was blocking her ease of access)
Her poops became inconsistent (because the cancers were fucking with her gut)
Her demeanor and energy/vibe started to diminish (right at the end before we took her to the vets*)
These are all go to the vet immediately flags. Each one minus Demeanor/vibes can get a pass for 24 hrs if they're still eating and pooping and its new to you bunny cause they can be fickle.
*Her demeanor changed at the end of the week where she was dropping the odd cecotrope, but she was eating well the whole week so it didn't seem like a stasis issue just a getting old thing. Dont shoot me down for negligence. She was horny for pellets and eating like a champ, i thought this was aging., ive managed a few stasises i l know what and how they are.
This is cancer i cant change fix or do anything, letting lady go before its unbearable, uncomfortable and diminishing to her life is the right and kind thing. Going out on a high, eating nanners, one last good free roam and enjoying rubs
and fusses before stasis and sickness overwhelm her is the honest and kind decision.
She leaves behind her husbun Gogo, i know to show him and give him time with her when she's moved on. But he needs to make a new companion, ive reached out to a shelter to adopt. What is the time scale for moving him on? I knew this was part of a bonded pair, id like advice moving forward please
by trialsmatt