It's been a long time since I've been on here. I still have Thumper, a black mini-rex with a white nose and Pegasus, a white mini lop with grey himalayan markings. He often has one ear up so he resembles a unicorn, hence his name Pegasus.
Last night he was very lethargic and didn't seem to want to eat. His belly was very doughy. Nonetheless I gave him a bit of simethicone which I know is for gas, even though he didn't seem to show symptoms of having gas. I had to go to work so it was a quick desperate attempt to do something. He took the syringe quite well. I held him close to my face and then he started licking me, somethinmg he never normally does. That was another sign that something was wrong. It was as if he meant to say, "Daddy, please help me, I'm hurting."
While at work, I'm allowed to surf the internet so I studied and suspected it was an upper respiratory infection. He had sneezed a few times a few days ago.
When I got out of work I took him to a local rabbit-savy vet. By then he was acting almost his normal self. They assured me that he was fine, no infection. But they discovered a mass about the size of a walnut on his right shoulder. It's irregular in shape and rather lumpy. They think it needs to be removed. They quoted me between $500 and $1000. That seems to be a lot of money to me. I'm not wealthy and that will be a real strain on the budget. They left it to me to decide if I wanted a biopsy before or after removal or not at all. I love Pegasus dearly but I don't relish the idea of prolonging matters if the tumor is cancerous and spreads. I could spend a lot of money only to see him die anyways.
They said they could use a needle, take a sample and biopsy it so I'd have an idea if it's benign or not.
Pegasus is 6 now (he was estimated to be a year old when I got him) He is VERY tightly bonded to Thumper. I know she would miss him terribly if he died. He should have another 7 or so years of life if he survives and lives to a typical age.
I have another bunny, Nigel. He is a grey Jersey Wooly. He simply adores people and loves to lick their faces and hands. Nigel does not like Thumper and the feeling is mutual so I haven't bonded the three together.
Any thoughts, ideas or advice?
Last night he was very lethargic and didn't seem to want to eat. His belly was very doughy. Nonetheless I gave him a bit of simethicone which I know is for gas, even though he didn't seem to show symptoms of having gas. I had to go to work so it was a quick desperate attempt to do something. He took the syringe quite well. I held him close to my face and then he started licking me, somethinmg he never normally does. That was another sign that something was wrong. It was as if he meant to say, "Daddy, please help me, I'm hurting."
While at work, I'm allowed to surf the internet so I studied and suspected it was an upper respiratory infection. He had sneezed a few times a few days ago.
When I got out of work I took him to a local rabbit-savy vet. By then he was acting almost his normal self. They assured me that he was fine, no infection. But they discovered a mass about the size of a walnut on his right shoulder. It's irregular in shape and rather lumpy. They think it needs to be removed. They quoted me between $500 and $1000. That seems to be a lot of money to me. I'm not wealthy and that will be a real strain on the budget. They left it to me to decide if I wanted a biopsy before or after removal or not at all. I love Pegasus dearly but I don't relish the idea of prolonging matters if the tumor is cancerous and spreads. I could spend a lot of money only to see him die anyways.
They said they could use a needle, take a sample and biopsy it so I'd have an idea if it's benign or not.
Pegasus is 6 now (he was estimated to be a year old when I got him) He is VERY tightly bonded to Thumper. I know she would miss him terribly if he died. He should have another 7 or so years of life if he survives and lives to a typical age.
I have another bunny, Nigel. He is a grey Jersey Wooly. He simply adores people and loves to lick their faces and hands. Nigel does not like Thumper and the feeling is mutual so I haven't bonded the three together.
Any thoughts, ideas or advice?