I'm having a nightmare with my bunnies at the moment.

Poor little Misty died last week and despite doing a post mortem my vet couldn't see what had caused her death but said to keep an eye on the others (I have five other bunnies and they all bounce around together during the day).

The day after Misty died I noticed Daisy was chesty and Dylan had an upset tummy so off they both went to the vet. I was given antibiotics for them both. Dylan now seems fine and has solid droppings again.

Sunday eve when I picked Daisy up I noticed one of her nipples was huge. Yesterday morning there was diarrhoea in one of the hutches but this is shared by three bunnies and none had dirty fur. One was quieter than usual so she and Daisy went to the vet yesterday. Munchkin (the quieter one) seems fine but the vet thinks poor Daisy has cancer.

Daisy is a rescue bun. She lived next door to one of my client's (I'm a mental health worker) and my client was concerned she and the other rabbit there were being neglected as they never left their hutches which were in the sun and she only noticed them being fed occasionally. I was going to bunny nap them but fortunately the owners agreed to rehome them and were clearly pleased to be rid of them. I was told they were both 18 months. I was also told they were two boys (both were girls) so I think they told me what they thought I wanted to hear so I would take them.

Sadly one of the bunnies died after about a year but Daisy has kept on going, despite having to have an eye removed and her teeth ground down every couple of months.

Because of her uncertain age (she was clearly older than 18 months) I decided after discussion with the vet not to spay her so now the poor love probably has cancer. I didn't know until I joined this site just how high the chances are or I may have risked the anaesthetic for her as she has to have it anyway for her teeth.

As Daisy is still chesty she isn't having her op to remove the lump until tomorrow but the vet said bunny cancers spread so quickly it needs to be done asap and she recommended I took the risk. I can pay extra to get the lump analysed but there would be no treatment if it is cancer and I am having to borrow the money from a friend for the op anyway as I've spent a fortune in vet bills in the last week (one of my cats was spayed last week).

I brought Daisy home and let her bounce around in the front garden (they are usually in a fenced off area in the back yard as they burrow so quickly). I'll do the same after work today in case she doesn't make it tomorrow.

I feel very guilty I didn't have her spayed but I know I made what I thought was the best decision at the time and after consultation with my vet.

I do have another two unspayed female bunnies. One is Misty's sister, Munchkin, and the other her Mum, Molly. Molly's age is unknown as she was another rescue but Munchkin is two and a half as I had her from tiny. I am now wondering if it would be best to get Molly and Munchkin spayed, even though they are not young - and Molly could be quite old. I asked the vet nurse but she couldn't advise me and said bunnies only live until about six, whereas I thought it was older than that.

If I get another young bunny I will get her spayed as soon as she is old enough now I am aware of the risks but am finding it a more difficult decision now they are older and have never had an anaesthetic. I've always been told that bunnies are a high risk under anaesthetic.

Sorry this is so long but it is all going around in my head and I am hoping someone will be able to help me get a bit of perspective.

If Daisy does survive the anaesthetic and the cancer hasn't spread then she could live out the rest of her normal life. If it has spread it could just be weeks before she goes to Rainbow Bridge. The vet said it is a huge plus that I noticed it so quickly but Daisy gets handled twice a day as she doesn't clean herself and I need to keep wiping her bottom or bathing her.

She is a fantastic bunny. Very big and white and with a gorgeous temperament. She was agoraphobic when I got her as I don't think she had ever been outside her hutch. She doesn't go out so much now but did when she was younger. She loves her food.

Molly (who is also a white bunny) always runs to find Daisy when I let them out in the morning and they snuggle up together for most of the day. It is so sweet to see.

Animals are soooooo stressful Why can't they live forever?!!!

Lumps

I'm soo sorry for your terrible time! They are indeed stressful especialy cos we have to make all the decisions for them that affect their livelihood. They cause us so much worry and heartache and pain but at the end of the day they are soooo unbelievably worth it. I am going through the same decision process as whether or not to get my 2 female bunnies spayed cos it seems a shame to risk the op when they are so healthy but will be an even bigger risk if i wait longer! Wished I'd had them done when I first got them and before I got sooo attached! Hope things go better for you now and keep us posted as to what happens with Daisy!