ChristyRose
Alpha Buck
Can anyone tell me if it is true that when a doe has had babies, it cuts the risk of her developing uterine cancer?
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Uterine cancer
- Thread starter ChristyRose
- Start date
Hugo's There
Wise Old Thumper
Not as far as i am aware, I have had unneutered female rabbits here that have previously been breed from and have developed uterine cancer 
The only reliable way to prevent it is early neutering
The only reliable way to prevent it is early neutering
Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
No, it's not true
The Duchess
Wise Old Thumper
I'd say it's not true. Out of the Lymington bunnies that we took out of the breeders back garden, a good number of them have had uterine cancers. Our Netty was a breed doe and she has had a tumor removed and is currently very ill - supspected spread of the cancer and if it is, we will lose her soon. She is 3 so had plenty of litters before we got to her.
ChristyRose
Alpha Buck
I am worried that if I get her spayed that we might lose her during the op as I've heard its quite a big op for a rabbit.
The Duchess
Wise Old Thumper
Any op for any rabbit is a big deal but in good hands the risk are lessened dramtically.
This is a no brainer - risk of cancer high, risk from GA for a healthy rabbit in good rabbit hands low - and rabbit will be much happier.
VickiP
Wise Old Thumper
Everyone feels like that, I have a little doe who will be going in after Christmas - I've had one doe and 2 bucks neutered/spayed and I still feel exactly the same dread about this little doe. You have to trust your motivation, the skills of your vets, say a little prayer and just hope all will work out. As with humans and dogs/cats etc things do sometimes (quite rarely) go wrong but, we still have to take the advice of vets and trust them to do their best. Try to be brave about it and tell yourself it is the right thing - just ensure you find an experienced vet - ask how many ops they do? How often? How many times it's gone wrong anything that might put your mind at ease.
I agree with this. make sure that your vet is a good rabbit vet and used to performing this op
VickiP
Wise Old Thumper
Oh and they will do a full health check on your bunny first, listen to the heart etc the anathestic's are much better now for rabbits I've been told.
I'd say it's much better to do the op now she is young and healthy than when you have no choice when she has cancer.
Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
.......... by which time the cancer has often already spread, usually to the lungs
So even a spay wont save the Buns life I lost Meg, a 5 year old ex breeding Doe, to Uterine Adenocarcinoma She came to me aged almost 4 having had numerous litters She was spayed and a large tumour was found in her uterus. Sadly she died 11 months later as despite the removal of her cancerous uterus some cancer cells had already migrated to her lungs She actually had to be PTS because of secondary lung cancer This was Meg
Spaying really is the best option.
RubyTed
Wise Old Thumper
I'm sorry about Meg Jane!
Can I ask, please.... What's the difference between Uterine Adenocarcinoma and cancer? :? (sorry, I'm not the brightest bulb in the box!)
I agree with everyone. Spaying a healthy doe is pretty risk free....spaying a doe who already has Uterine cancer can be far trickier, and is far more likely to go wrong.
Can I ask, please.... What's the difference between Uterine Adenocarcinoma and cancer? :? (sorry, I'm not the brightest bulb in the box!
)I agree with everyone. Spaying a healthy doe is pretty risk free....spaying a doe who already has Uterine cancer can be far trickier, and is far more likely to go wrong.
Hugo's There
Wise Old Thumper
I'm sorry about Meg Jane!
Can I ask, please.... What's the difference between Uterine Adenocarcinoma and cancer? :? (sorry, I'm not the brightest bulb in the box!
I agree with everyone. Spaying a healthy doe is pretty risk free....spaying a doe who already has Uterine cancer can be far trickier, and is far more likely to go wrong.
Every rabbit we have had who has had a cancerous uterus removed has died of secondary cancer between 6 weeks and 18 months later
RubyTed
Wise Old Thumper
Every rabbit we have had who has had a cancerous uterus removed has died of secondary cancer between 6 weeks and 18 months later
That's so sad....and so preventable! 
