Opinions guys? U/D Back from the vets

Thank you guys

I'm really not sure I could go through with it. I know it sounds selfish but I'd never forgive myself if I put her in a position that resulted in losing her earlier than we would have. She has so many health problems already, it just makes me extremely nervous.

I also KNOW for a fact that my mum wouldn't even consider driving me to another vet. She'd tell me there was nothing wrong with the vet we had (which there isn't, but she won't appreciate that there may be better bunny vets elsewhere. Although I have to say our bunny vet is brilliant). It's hard to make her understand and unfortunately I am pretty reliant on her for transport and any significant finances upfront

I hope you can all understand.

FluffSlave wrote:Thank you guys

I'm really not sure I could go through with it. I know it sounds selfish but I'd never forgive myself if I put her in a position that resulted in losing her earlier than we would have. She has so many health problems already, it just makes me extremely nervous.

Surely the whole point is that having the spay will increase her chances of a long and happy life ten fold. Not doing the operation will only give rise to possible further health problems and almost certainly a premature demise.

But what if I do the spay in a few weeks, say, and we can't bring her back round this time? Then I've lost my rabbit now, instead of having an extra few months with her.

It is a tough decision and yes, it's probably very selfish of me to put it off. But I think it's hard for you to understand the stick I'd get for "spending more money on that rabbit". No one in my family sees the bunnies the way I do. They don't understand that I love them just as much as they love their dogs, and they're just as special to me. Unfortunately I'm in a situation where I'm still reliant on them for funds and getting my animals to and fro the vets, and if they don't approve of the decision, I can't go ahead with it.

FluffSlave wrote:But what if I do the spay in a few weeks, say, and we can't bring her back round this time? Then I've lost my rabbit now, instead of having an extra few months with her.

I do understand really I do.

However you need to look at what is best for Willow. Yes the op will be risky to a certain extent but without it her quality of life will just deteriorate quickly if this is malignant. At least if the worst happened and she did pass away under anaesthetic you could comfort yourself in the knowledge that she passed in peace and not in pain.

Sorry to read your sad update.
 

FluffSlave wrote:But what if I do the spay in a few weeks, say, and we can't bring her back round this time? Then I've lost my rabbit now, instead of having an extra few months with her.

 
It is a really awful thought and a dilemma, along with all the other considerations you have. Given what you describe about her incontinence it's difficult to predict her quality of life over the next few months anyway, so if you did lose her under GA at least you know she didn't suffer. It would be a gamble whatever decision you make and I guess if it is cancer then it might not be possible to remove the cancer completely anyway. It's an awful position to be in being reliant on family for help. There's no way my dad would understand (he'd be horrified) if he knew Artie cost me £800 and then only 3 weeks later another £600 but thankfully I didn't need his blessing or consent. I can imagine how hard it must in your situation.  
 
It would be hard to face the possibility of losing her to GA for a spay but it *may* be the right time to take that route as it's no longer just a preventative but potentially a cure. Would there be a possibility of your vets seeking advice from a  rabbit specialist vet as to if and how to go about it?

I know it's the right choice to make, it's just the thought of it that kills me.

My vet did say that she would be willing to try the spay again, but my mum shut her down pretty quickly. However, if this problem isn't clearing up within the week my vet hopes it should be, it might be a subject to broach with my mum. If I put it to her in the terms she thinks of it as, I can explain the fact that either way we'll end up with the same result - we'll either lose her under GA or lose her in the spring, and this way Willow might have much longer. It would be comparable with what it would cost to have her PTS as well. The only downfall is if the cancer has already spread, then we'll have put her through all of that for nothing and I'd be needing to borrow two large sums of cash from my mum.

I hate being reliant on my mum. I buy everything my animals need and I always pay her back in installments for the money I borrow for vets bills, it's just being 19 I don't have that kind of money to give in one lump sum yet.

I am so sorry that you have not had the best of news     

When my Hollie went to be spayed she reacted badly to the anaesthetic and had to be brought out of it immediately. However at the second attempt a few weeks later all went well and she has since had a dental under a GA.

I understand your worries about spaying Willow and that you are in an awful position. I have everything crossed that this is nothing more than a UTI.

Sixer wrote:I am so sorry that you have not had the best of news     

When my Hollie went to be spayed she reacted badly to the anaesthetic and had to be brought out of it immediately. However at the second attempt a few weeks later all went well and she has since had a dental under a GA.
I understand your worries about spaying Willow and that you are in an awful position. I have everything crossed that this is nothing more than a UTI.

I didn't know you'd been through it with one of yours as well. Esme stopped breathing under GA for her spay and my local vet didn't want to try again. That's how we ended up seeing a specialist instead. She had no problems second time. Esme's nearly 6 now and I've never had to face her undergoing another GA, so good to read that Hollie coped well.

Thank you Sixer

The vet thinks that Willow's bad reaction might have been due to her carrying Pasteurella. I expect she still carries it. She had that outburst not long ago, and her breathing is always quite "panty" but never too audible. Does Pasteurella go away with treatment, or just calm down? Either way, my vet has said she suspects that Willow has lesions on her lungs.

FluffSlave wrote:.... Either way, my vet has said she suspects that Willow has lesions on her lungs.

Poor little angel. Mega get well vibes for Willow and mega   for you!

My heart goes out to you, what an awful situation to be in and so difficult when you are not completely independent to travel where you wish or spend as you feel is necessary.

Personally, whatever the difficulties, I am pretty sure my decision would be to put Willow in for the spay before the cancer (if it is that) has much of a chance to spread to other organs. But it might be worth giving the abx time to work first anyway. And I know it would be an incredibly difficult thing to do, both to make the decision and manage the logistics.

We're here for you and Willow, whatever you decide     

Thank you Sparky, it really means a lot

I look at her and the thought of her not being around is just unimaginable. She's the most friendly, amazing girlie and it would be so dull and wrong without her there

I know that there is a more than likely chance she might not come home from the spay, but I don't know if I could live with the "what ifs" if I didn't go ahead with it.

I'm still not 100% sure what I want to do. I want to give the anti-biotics time to work and see if they do anything. If not, I'll discuss the spay with my mum and my vet, and go from there.

You guys are an amazing support. Having someone who I can share my stress and worry with, who actually understands, means the world to me. You guys get what a huge part of my life they are when no one else does

I actually spoke to my mum this afternoon and she was suprisingly ok with trying the spay, as I put it to her as a life-and-death situation, and she agreed.

So, if there's no improvement in a week she's got to go back to see the vet, and I guess we'll at least discuss it then.

I'm so nervous and so stressed!    

Sparky wrote:........Personally, whatever the difficulties, I am pretty sure my decision would be to put Willow in for the spay before the cancer (if it is that) has much of a chance to spread to other organs. But it might be worth giving the abx time to work first anyway. ..........We're here for you and Willow, whatever you decide     

Once again, I agree with Sparky. We are here for you whatever you decide. We know how much you love Willow and how well you have taken care of her.           

FluffSlave wrote:I actually spoke to my mum this afternoon and she was suprisingly ok with trying the spay, as I put it to her as a life-and-death situation, and she agreed.

So, if there's no improvement in a week she's got to go back to see the vet, and I guess we'll at least discuss it then.

I'm so nervous and so stressed!    

Yay for mum  

Give her a nose rub 

I'm really glad your Mum seems more open to it than you thought she might be   

Please try not to feel too negative about attempting the spay again. As a couple of hoomins on here have mentioned, they have been through the same experience with their buns.

I would advise you to at least plant the idea in your vet's head now and ask her to investigate what the safest possible method of anaesthetising Willow would be. Let me know if she would be interested in what our vet used for me, and we'll find out (bear in mind I went through a second GA yesterday and am still fine).

What would the cost of the scan be that the vet mentioned? If it's relatively cheap it might be worth considering that first.

It would be around £40 for the scan, Sparky. Our vet has said all this would do would confirm her diagnosis which she is almost 100% sure about anyway. Either way, if Willow pulls through, she'll be spayed and much better off so I'm not too worried about doing it. I guess the scan would confirm if the cancer had spread(?), but I'm on a limited budget of what my mum will lend me.

I think I'd rather wait the week before talking to my vet, as best case scenario (for my nerves, at least!) would be that this clears it up.

I too am glad that your Mum will consider Willow being spayed. I am sure my vet's would also be very happy to advise on their anaesthetic procedure/s if wanted. They must have carried out this at least 8 times on my buns (this doesn't include Hollie who had a bad reaction first time out at a different vets).

Thinking of you and sending vibes for the lovely willow xx

Thank you both, if my vet needs any info I'll let her know and be in touch

How is she hunni?

There's no real change Katie

She's been on the anti-biotics since Monday, so there's still another four days to see something happen, but at the moment they don't seem to be doing an awful lot (other than making her very grumpy that her Mini Shredded Wheats are contaminated!)

She's otherwise fine in herself though - eating, drinking and generally her friendly, perky, nosy self

I hope Willow makes a good recovery and if she does need surgery that it goes well. Lots and lots of vibes and noserubs for Willow   

Come on Willow! We are pulling for you!

Thank you Paul and Holly

Poor Willow. Sending tons and tons of vibes for her, and i hope that any surgery she does need goes smoothly and she has a speedy and successful recovery! xxxxxxxxxx