infection or testicular cancer, either painful?

Question
I have a 8 yo male dwarf mix rabbit. 3 days ago I noticed his one of his testacles is very large, swollen. It's slightly discolored (you can see 3 white circles inside). There is no discharge. He doesn't squirm or move upon palpation. He's been eating and drinking, and feces look normal. He's still eating his favorite treats -- but doesn't rush to them as fast as he used to, but he still eats them.  He's also been making "bodily noises" -- i've never heard him make this sound before, but the sounds i heard just sound like our digestive sounds "gurgling". After taking him to the vet, w/o lab results, she thinks its an infection or testicular cancer (given his age and the spots).

My concern is, that although I'm sure if untreated, this will shorten his life, but is he in pain? I read that rabbits are stoic, but he's eating/drinking, acting same. I just need to know if I'm making him suffer by not doing the surgery.

Answer
Hi Michelle. It is impossible to tell you if your bunny is in pain. I can not "feel" for him. They have no way of telling us how they "feel". This I do know. No matter what I have been told I know all animals feel pain just like we do. In the wild their lives depend on their ability to cope with it. They simply do not cave in to it the way we do. This of course does not answer your question. The problem is that each individual has a different pain level and I am sure the same applies to animals. Some people have cancer for years and do not know it until close to the end because they did not "hurt". Others hurt long before the doctors can find it. If your bunny sits humped up with his ears laying back on his back he may be in pain. If he grinds his teeth he would be in very bad pain. Surgery may or may not eliminate the "pain". If it is cancer and has spread beyond the testes he may still be in pain after the surgery. Of course if it is an infection surgery would eliminate that pain but there will be a few days that he would be in pain from surgery and at 8 years old I am not sure I would want to put my bunny through that. If it is possible that this could be an infection why doesn't the vet put the bunny on antibiotics for a while and see what happens? If it clears up, or at least improves, that would be great. If it persists then you most likely have your answer. She could also start him on some short term pain meds while doing the antibiotics. If the antibiotics don't help the pain meds could be continued for life term as he would probably appreciate them. I would talk to the vet about this and see what can be worked out. I hope I have helped. Let me know what you and your vet decide to do.    Pat