Pregnancy and uterine cancer

Dollie · Jul 6, 2011

I was having a discussion with someone who insists on breeding her rabbits (she wants to expand her group..) I adviced her not to. One of the reasons she thinks it's a good idea, is because - so she says - the risk of uterine cancer will decrease by 75% after pregnancy.

My girls are both spayed and in my opinion that is the only correct way to prevent uterine cancer, but it did make me curious.. Is it true? Is there any research that backs up her story?

Jack's-Jane · Jul 6, 2011

http://wildlife1.wildlifeinformation.org/S/00dis/Miscellaneous/UterineAdenocarcinomaRabbit.html

Dollie · Jul 6, 2011

Just to be certain.. (As you might know, I'm not English and I'd like to be sure I understand what it says..)

Increased incidence in older does, reaching 50-80% in some breeds for individuals over three years of age. (J34.24.w3, J213.7.w1)
In one study, uterine neoplasia was seen in does of two years and two months to seven years and six months of age, peaking at 4-5 years. (J27.64.w4)
In a study of more than 80 cases in one laboratory colony, uterine adenocarcinoma never occurred in does younger than two years; there were 20% with onset in their third year, 44% with onset in their fourth year, 15% onset in their fifth year, 9% in their sixth year and 1% in their seventh year. The average age at the time the tumour was found was 45 months. (J494.67.w1)
May reach an incidence of 60% by four years of age. (B600.14.w14)
Incidence does not appear to be affected by whether or not the doe has bred.

This means a rabbit has a 50-80% chance to get uterine c ancer and it does not matter whether she ever gave birth or not.

Thank you!

Jack's-Jane · Jul 6, 2011

Dollie said:
Just to be certain.. (As you might know, I'm not English and I'd like to be sure I understand what it says..)

This means a rabbit has a 50-80% chance to get uterine c ancer and it does not matter whether she ever gave birth or not.

Thank you!

Yes, that is correct

Roseberry · Jul 8, 2011

even it if was true, i cannot see any way that you can justfy breeding to prevent cancer, it would bring into the world loads more bunnies, so would your friend breed them too, and their babies... tell her this :wave:

Dollie · Jul 21, 2011

Sorry, never saw your respond until now.

But that's the first thing I told her: There are thousands of buns waiting in rescues and although she's planning on keeping all the babybuns so they will not end up in rescues themselves, it does mean that a bunny that wasn't born yet - didn't have to be born - takes the place that could have been for a rescuebun. But she doesn't care. Apparently it's more special if they are 'her own'. I have seven animals and only three of them were young when they came to live with me, but they don't mean even a bit more to me than my other four do..

Sometimes you just can't make people understand.

Pregnancy and uterine cancer

Dollie

Warren Scout

Jack's-Jane

Wise Old Thumper

Dollie

Warren Scout

Jack's-Jane

Wise Old Thumper

Roseberry

Mama Doe

Dollie

Warren Scout

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