Confused about my rabbit!!!

[scoobysoo]

I have a female house bunny. I read on several websites that you should have them spayed, as there's a high chance of females getting cancer, plus it calms the chewing instinct. I phoned the vet this morning, and had the following conversation with the receptionist:

"Hi, I would like to book my female rabbit in to be spayed please"

"Why do you want to get your rabbit spayed?"

"Ummm...because I don't want her to get cancer"

"That's not very likely"

"Really? I've heard that unspayed rabits have an 85% chance of getting cancer"

"There's more chance of it dying during the operation"

"MORE THAN 85%???????"

"Yes"

"I'm confused now...well, she's also a bit of a chewer, and I was also told this is because she's sexually mature and trying to make a burrow"

"It wont stop chewing"

And that was it! I'm now very confused! I know you can't believe everything you read on the internet, but about 4 sites all said the same thing.

Any pearls of wisdom?

[Nocturna666]

Hiya....

I am a nurse working at a vet surgery and I can tell you now that rabbit mortality under GA (general anesthetic) can be quite high even for simple procedures. Spaying your rabbit will reduce the chances of cancer (as neutering any animal will) but it is debateable whether it will have much of an effect on her behaviour. Spaying rabbits is usually recommened more when you have a doe and buck housed together to stop unwanted litters.

The individual you spoke to was probably a receptionist so before you make any decisions ring your surgery back and ask to speak briefly to a qualified vet or nurse - if that isn't possible, then book a consult to see a vet and take your rabbit along with you to get a full health check carried out (to make sure it is in good enough health to even start considering a GA).

Ideally, if you decide to push ahead, try and find an 'exotics' vet to do the op - these vets have trained specifically with smaller species in mind and will have far more confidence and experience with rabbits.

Its a matter of getting proper professional advice and weighing up the pros and cons. A GA and an invasive op like a spay is a substantial risk for a rabbit, but as long as the animal is young, healthy and has the right surgeon on the case then it stands a good chance of coming though.

Hope that helps.
Lulu

[RATTER15]

Its a bloody rabbit!!!!! they belong in the field!!

Of course it chews, that is how they keep their teeth short!!

You obviously have the wrong pet!!

Get a teddy bear!!!

Jeeesh!!!!!!!!

[scoobysoo]

Well we doing like being rude don't we? Make you feel all big and clever does it? Just for the record, the main point was to ascertain whether or not it is worth risking an operation, if it is going to prevent cancer along the line.
I'm sorry if you think my rabbit "belongs in a field", but since you know nothing about me, or how I look after my rabbit, then maybe should keep your nasty remarks to yourself.

[divegirl]

Hello Ratter....long time no see!!! Hope you and Carakeel are well!

Sccobysoo....I lost a bunny under a GA....she was having her teeth filed....small furries do not do well under GA. What is it that she's chewing? Can you not just give her 'safe woods' to destroy?

Lisa x

[scoobysoo]

Sorry to hear about that Lisa. I'm not that bothered about her chewing, and she does have an abundance of chew toys. However, she does have a shoe fetish, and likes to make a dash for the feet of any visitors!!
She's so lovely, and I adore her, so I wouldn't want to put her at risk...but I don't know what the bigger risk is? The operation or the risk of cancer???

[julie65]

hi scooby soo my story is identical as yours! my usual vet refuses to neuter, yet i used another vet which was nearer recently and was given a long lecture on why i should have both my girls neutered, so the answer is what on earth do you do?? i was told most girl rabbits die before the age of 5 if not neutered, mine are 5 in sept!
im far too afraid of getting mine neutered now as they arent babies anymore and i might lose them but i also agree with my usual vet who says they dont get neutered in the wild and its not likely they die of cancer. im not going to bother.

[scoobysoo]

Thanks Julie. The more I think about it, the more I don't want to risk it