Rabbit returns home for Easter after cancer treatment at WSU

A crimson bandanna hangs from the corner of a "crib" where a tiny lionhead rabbit named Henry snuggles and patiently waits for his owners to come home.

On the bandanna, "I am a cancer survivor" is printed in white above a Washington State University Cougar logo.

It is a reminder that only weeks earlier a potentially deadly tumor - known as a thymoma - was discovered growing in Henry's chest. Today, the 10-year-oldrabbit is back home, healthy and ready to spend Easter with his family after receiving life-saving treatment at WSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

"WSU gave us hope and has given us more time with Henry, which was all we wanted," his owner Robin Jones said. "My husband and I are from New Mexico, so when we moved up here, we had no skin in the game as far as the rivalry between WSU and the University of Washington - but now we are WSU forever."

Jones and her husband welcomed Henry into their home when he was just a young kit. They immediately fell in love with Henry and his adopted brother, George, who joined the family a short time later.

My husband and I are from New Mexico, so when we moved up here, we had no skin in the game as far as the rivalry between WSU and the University of Washington - but now we are WSU forever.

"Both of our bunnies are just like our little sunshines," Robin said.

Unlike the typical dog or cat, it took some time for Henry to fully trust the Joneses. Once he did, his personality proved irresistible.

"Henry is so cute and sassy," Robin said. "He loves to run around and do happy hops, and he just loves treats - bananas the most. He is super loving. He'll run to us, and he'll start honking or oinking. That's how he greets us, which is so cute. He's just a little sweetheart."

After noticing subtle behavioral changes, Robin took Henry to a local veterinary clinic in Bremerton, Washington. There, an X-rayrevealed a large mass in his chest, prompting a referral to the Center for Bird and Exotic Animal Medicine in Bothell. Further testing confirmed the mass was a thymoma, a tumor that can press on the lungs and make breathing increasingly difficult.

"They said we needed to go to WSU because WSU was the only place that could treat what Henry had," Robin said. "There was no question, we were going to drive six hours to Pullman."

At WSU, they were introduced to veterinarian Dr. Marcie Logsdon of the teaching hospital's Exotics Department, who explained that while thymomas do not usually spread, their location in the chest can make them dangerous. Fortunately, they often respond well to radiation therapy, which can shrink the tumor and improve breathing. Logsdon recommended Henry undergo a series of radiation treatments using the hospital's linear accelerator (LINAC).

Henry received four radiation treatments over the course of two weeks, beginning March 4 and concluding March 11. He remained at the hospital for monitoring before returning home.

"When we went to pick him up, we got back in the truck, opened his carrier, and he jumped onto me and started giving me kisses," Robin said. "I just started crying because I missed him so much."

Logsdon said the tumor has already begun to shrink and will continue to do so. Many rabbits experience remission for eight months to a year and a half, with some able to undergo additional treatment if needed.

"Henry's doing so good. He's running around, honking, jumping and playing," Robin said. "We are just so grateful to Dr. Logsdon and WSU."

Logsdon said Henry's story is also a reminder that rabbits - often purchased around Easter - require more care than many people expect. They can live 10 years or more and need consistent attention and long-term commitment.

Rabbits, she said, require a diet rich in grass hay, which is essential for healthy teeth, and regular veterinary care is important. While they can be trained and enjoy interaction, rabbits generally do not like to be picked up and can be prone to injury if handled improperly, making them less suitable for young children. Their compatibility with other pets - especially dogs with a strong prey drive - is another key consideration.

"They can be really cool, really engaging little pets," Logsdon said, "but many people underestimate the long-term commitment involved."