What bloodwork and tests does my rescue rabbit need before spaying?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Snowy. I recommend that the patient has been dewormed and is in good physical condition prior to be spayed. Bloodwork is recommended to check for any abnormalities in internal organ function as well. I hope this information helps!

It is recommended for pet rabbits to be spayed because of the very high risk of uterine cancer in this species - around 50% of intact female rabbits are estimated to get uterine cancer, which is a huge number. It's true that wild rabbits don't have surgery to be spayed, but they also have many more health problems and shorter lifespans than pet rabbits :) The cost to spay a rabbit will vary depending on what part of the country you live in and which specific clinic you use, so I would recommend calling around to some local vets who do this surgery to ask about costs.

Thanks for reaching out about Fluffball and including photos. The best methods to determine is she is intact of not are (1) take a radiograph as many of the sutures used are recognized; (2) an ultrasound to identify a uterus and ovaries; or (3) blood hormone levels. Observation for female nesting or aggression might lead to answer also. As per trying to bond with the other rabbits, there is no reason not to try, although not all rabbits get along whether spayed or not. Good luck.

Spaying is always a good idea as it will prevent accidental or unwanted litters. A spayed doe may also live a longer and healthier life. If Midnight is almost 10 years old though, age may be a factor in determining if she is a candidate for anesthesia. Discuss your concerns with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating rabbits.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Spaying female rabbit involve giving general anaesthesia (either by injections or by inhaling anaesthetic gas) and performing surgery to remove the ovaries and the uterus. The abdomen is clipped once the bunny is asleep, then a small incision on the abdominal wall is made and finally the ovaries / uterus are removed. There are usually 3-4 stitches inside the abdomen and some stitches to close up the abdomen and the skin. Most of the rabbits are back to normal very quickly after the surgery (within 1-2 days), so hopefully Oreo will also recover rapidly. You will need to make sure she is kept warm at home, she eating as normal and passing normal stools. She will likely be prescribed a few days or pain killers to go home with.

Great question, The only way to ensure the safety of performing a routine spay operation is to have your small animal veterinarian perform a pre-surgical exam along with pre-anesthetic blood testing. After the exam and blood, if anything looks abnormal, further testing such as X-rays and ultrasound can be done prior to surgery. Keep in mind, veterinary clinics vary as to their equipment, so, to insure your pets safety, its alway good to have your cat monitored on an EKG/Blood pressure monitor. Nutrition is important, feeding a good quality adult diet either recommended by your local veterinarian or purchased through Petco or feed store should be adequate. The important things is that it agrees with your cat over time such as providing normal stools and volume, maintains nice haricot, and maintains normal weight. Changes in diet should always be done slowly. Please feel free to set a consult with me if you have further questions regarding her upcoming surgery. Thank you, Steve Popish, DVM

The fact that Alice is an adult rabbit now does not increase the risks when you have her spayed, It is a good idea to have her spayed due to the uterine cancer risk and also avoiding spraying, which females sometimes do. So you can have her spayed now, preferably at a veterinary office that treats a lot of bunnies.