rabbit mammary tumors

Question
We have a pet lop rabbit.  She will be 7 years old in Sept.  We found a growth near her chest and brought her to a vet.  We were told that she had 3 tumors and he felt they were malignant.  He thought that it was in her mammary gland on her right side.  He felt surgery was not a real option because of her age and size of the tumor.  I feel helpless and can't just sit by and wait for her to die.  My children are scared.  Is there any alternative type therapy that I could try?  She seems healthy otherwise.  Her vital signs were good, she weighs 5.7 lbs. and her temp was 102 degrees.  Thank you very much,
Helen

Answer
Dear Helen,

If she is otherwise healthy, then I feel that surgery might be the best option.  Spaying her will also be very important, since many mammary tumors are estrogen sensitive.  If she is not spayed, her ovaries will continue to produce the substance that likely promoted those tumors in the first place, so her risk of recurrence will be high.  Spaying will reduce this risk, and surgically removing the tumors while they are relatively small and manageable will increase her chances of long-term survival.

No, there are no natural remedies for cancer.  I wish I could tell you otherwise.  But she has a better chance if you have a good vet who is experienced with rabbit anesthesia and surgery.  You can find one here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

At the age of seven, she's not old.  Many rabbits are living well into their teens.  So having this procedure done might be her only chance to reach that old age.  Leaving it untreated will pretty much be a death sentence, though no one can say how much time she would have.

I hope this helps you make the right decision for everyone.

Take care,

Dana