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What actually happens during a spay?

podlet

Warren Scout
Hi all,

My bunny, Mia,went in for her spay yesterday and pleased to say she seems fine post the operation :D

When we collected her, we were told that a small incision was made and her fallopian tubes were knotted to prevent future pregnancies.

Now I am confused. :? :?

I googled and found the following newsletter: http://www.ohare.org/images/harelines/v8n3.pdf The article on neutering says that the entire ovary gets removed during the surgery and that extra care has to be taken to ensure that it is all removed otherwise it can still become cancerous in a number of years.

So, can someone verify for me what happens during a spay?

Also, I was wondering, why is it that unspayed bunnies get ovarian/uterine cancer? Is it because of:
a) over-use of the reproductive organs through continued breeding
b) under-use of active reproductive organs (eg. when a doe is living with a neutered buck)?

podlet :D
 
That's strange, as I thought the entire uterus was removed. Can you ring you vet and ask for clarification?
 
Warning graphic pics on this link : http://www.lbah.com/rabbits/rabbit_spay.htm

It is the oestrogen levels that can predispose a Doe to get UC. It makes no difference if they are bred from or not. It is important that all uterine and Ovarian Tissue is removed during the spay. Any residual tissue can mean a neoplasia forms at a later date.

Janex :)
 
All the uterine tissue and ovaries should be removed....any remaining not only means there is still a risk of uterine cancer but also that the rabbit may still show hormonal behaviours such as phantom pregnancies.
 
Thanks for the really useful link Jane and the clarification Sooz... :wave:

My parter collected Mia after her op and he definitely heard something about cutting fallopian tubes. We are going to phone the vet today to make sure that everything was removed...

Will double check and update you all... Can't imagine they would get this so wrong so no need to worry yet methinks Lionheadluver :roll:

podlet, x
 
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