Jerica
01-06-2006, 12:26 AM
I've posted some threads about my rabbit and I'm still so conflicted. She is 6 yrs old and has uterine cancer and the mastitis cysts that come from it. A few weeks ago she was attacked by one of my dogs and my friends puppy, but she healed very well and is perfectly fine from that. However she is not spayed yet so still has the uterine cancer. I am hoping that in Feburary the
2nd yr vet tech students at my college will be able to spay her and it will cost me less than to go to a vet, I know how bad that sounds. Pros of going to a vet, he's experienced, cons are one vet I've talked to says it'd cost $95 because the procedure is more complicated and there is more bleeding because of the cancer. She could still die during the spay or even after cause the cancer could have spread already.
Pros of letting 2nd yr vet tech do it, costs less (not sure how much), cons are not experienced, but overseen by a vet, she could die during the spay or even after because of the cancer maybe has spread already. However if no spay is done she will very likely die sooner. If she dies during surgery it will be peaceful. She is already 6 yrs old and is a polish dwarf, for dwarf rabbits that is an old age. Generally they say they will live 5-7 yrs. Should I do the procedure, pay out the money so she can live how ever long she can? Should I not do the procedure and see if she can live well without it? Should I put her down considering her old age, the fact she can still die after the spay, and then (as bad as it sounds) not have to pay the money? I am a 1st yr vet tech student and I really want her to have the spay, but what if she dies a day afterwards? The spay gained me nothing, because she could have lived that extra day without it. Can an old rabbit even survive that invasive procedure since not only will she be spayed, but basically have all her teats removed because of the mastitis cysts? That is a lot of cutting, bleeding and stress to put her through even if she is asleep during it, but could she recover?
What do I do for my old girl? She's an awesomly sweet bunny, very calm, let's me hold her on her back and scratch her belly, she licks me sometimes, and has such an awesome personality. I have recently noticed that she has quit using her litterbox now, that worries me because all 6 yrs of her life she has used it faithfully only pooping a little outside of it, but always urinating in it, now she barely uses it at all. Same bedding is being used in it, she has been moved around from home to the college back home, but she never quit, up until a week or so ago she was still using it, why isn't she now? She is still so bright eyed and although doesn't go racing around the room anymore, she hops around and her fur is still shiny (which doesn't always reflect health, but still). She still loves her carrots.
She has gotten a bit skinny the last week, but I just got back from visiting my dad and my mom was caring for her and thinks she may have forgot to feed her 2 days in a row!!! That worries me as to how well she would care for her if she stays here instead of coming to live in the shed. I just don't know if she can handle any cold, she's always been in a heated place, but the shed is just a shed, no insulation or anything. Another option is to give her to someone who will take good care of her, but even if I could give her up, who would want a 6 yr old cancerous rabbit? Oh so many things to consider, so many options, but what to choose? Sorry this post is getting so long, I don't blame anyone for not reading it all through, but so much is on my mind. It's hard enough thinking of this, but the fact I also have a dog who is soon to be 12 and may start with health problems. It's so overwealming. What do I do?
2nd yr vet tech students at my college will be able to spay her and it will cost me less than to go to a vet, I know how bad that sounds. Pros of going to a vet, he's experienced, cons are one vet I've talked to says it'd cost $95 because the procedure is more complicated and there is more bleeding because of the cancer. She could still die during the spay or even after cause the cancer could have spread already.
Pros of letting 2nd yr vet tech do it, costs less (not sure how much), cons are not experienced, but overseen by a vet, she could die during the spay or even after because of the cancer maybe has spread already. However if no spay is done she will very likely die sooner. If she dies during surgery it will be peaceful. She is already 6 yrs old and is a polish dwarf, for dwarf rabbits that is an old age. Generally they say they will live 5-7 yrs. Should I do the procedure, pay out the money so she can live how ever long she can? Should I not do the procedure and see if she can live well without it? Should I put her down considering her old age, the fact she can still die after the spay, and then (as bad as it sounds) not have to pay the money? I am a 1st yr vet tech student and I really want her to have the spay, but what if she dies a day afterwards? The spay gained me nothing, because she could have lived that extra day without it. Can an old rabbit even survive that invasive procedure since not only will she be spayed, but basically have all her teats removed because of the mastitis cysts? That is a lot of cutting, bleeding and stress to put her through even if she is asleep during it, but could she recover?
What do I do for my old girl? She's an awesomly sweet bunny, very calm, let's me hold her on her back and scratch her belly, she licks me sometimes, and has such an awesome personality. I have recently noticed that she has quit using her litterbox now, that worries me because all 6 yrs of her life she has used it faithfully only pooping a little outside of it, but always urinating in it, now she barely uses it at all. Same bedding is being used in it, she has been moved around from home to the college back home, but she never quit, up until a week or so ago she was still using it, why isn't she now? She is still so bright eyed and although doesn't go racing around the room anymore, she hops around and her fur is still shiny (which doesn't always reflect health, but still). She still loves her carrots.
She has gotten a bit skinny the last week, but I just got back from visiting my dad and my mom was caring for her and thinks she may have forgot to feed her 2 days in a row!!! That worries me as to how well she would care for her if she stays here instead of coming to live in the shed. I just don't know if she can handle any cold, she's always been in a heated place, but the shed is just a shed, no insulation or anything. Another option is to give her to someone who will take good care of her, but even if I could give her up, who would want a 6 yr old cancerous rabbit? Oh so many things to consider, so many options, but what to choose? Sorry this post is getting so long, I don't blame anyone for not reading it all through, but so much is on my mind. It's hard enough thinking of this, but the fact I also have a dog who is soon to be 12 and may start with health problems. It's so overwealming. What do I do?