Bunny question (serious answers only)?

Question

My bunny is 5 years old, and at the moment I'm trying to save up money to get her spayed because I know of the danger if you don't. Is she too old though? The vet said she isn't too old, but does anybody have an answer? I'd like a second opinion. I want her to live as long as possible, but if the spaying would hurt her then I don't want to do that. So which would be my best option, to spay or not to spay?

Answer 1

Frankly, I'd be worried about putting a five year old bunn through anaesthetic - the older a rabbit gets, the more risky and the more likely they are to die under anaesthetic. I know vets and breeders who don't recommend anaesthetic, unless it's an absolute necessity, after four or five years of age - the HRS recommends no later than six years in this article -
http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/spay-neuter.html#too-old
It's a difficult decision, but I think you need to seriously consider whether anaesthetic might be too risky.

I don't know about veterinary science in the U.S. (I'm also guessing that's where you're located), but in Europe, some rabbit veterinarians will use gas to anaesthetise rabbits, instead of injecting anaesthetic - gas is safer and less likely to cause death, they consider in Europe. You might want to ask your vets about this.

If you want to get other vets' opinions, I've got lists of recommended rabbit-savvy vets on my site at
http://au.geocities.com/leaswebsite/links.html#bunnyvets
- just click on these links, and then on your country/state - and you could begin by telephoning them and asking them lots of questions.

These articles might be of interest to you too -
http://www.rabbit.org/care/elderbun.html
http://www.rabbit.org/chapters/san-diego/health/vet-talk/elderly.html

Very best of luck to you and your bunn, whatever your decision :-)

Answer 2

I agree with the previous poster here. 5 years old is actually pretty young for a rabbit these days (especially once they are spayed!) It's been proven that female rabbits who are not spayed only live to be about 5-6 years old on average. This is due to the fact that female rabbits are extremely prone to develop cancer of the uterus, cancer of the ovaries, and cancer of the fallopian tubes. If a female gets spayed, she can't develop any of these, and therefore will live longer...in fact, a spayed female usually lives to be 10 years old or older. Trust your vet, get her spayed, and enjoy many more years of love and fun with your bunny!

Answer 3

Definitely spay. It will be better for her physical and mental health. It won't hurt her; she will be under anesthetic. She might be drowsy the next day, but will heal up fine.
As the vet said, 5 years is not too old.

Answer 4

At her age I don't think I would do it. Just keep her away from boy bunnys. She is a senior bunny, so the spaying might be to hard on her.

Answer 5

i have a rabbit that is 8 years old and i didn`t spay her as long as you keep her a away from the boy rabbits she`ll be fine.

i would say not to spay.

Answer 6

Dont listen to these people who don't know anything about rabbits. I for one for years bred quality show rabbits. Listen to your vet, or if you really feel the need, talk to other vets. Rabbits do for one, live much longer than 5 years. Just listen to your vet who knows better and has more experience than these people.

Answer 7

Definately spay. They are only tooold when they are around 8 or 10.

Answer 8

Is she experiencing any problems in heat? Exposed to the out doors, or other rabbits, If yes to any of the above, I would get her fixed. Check w/local vet or pet connection, there may be a clinic that will do it cheaper.

Answer 9

Rabbits dont live much longer than that. Just keep her away from the boy bunnies. Only let her go out chaperoned.

Answer 10

god made life for everything, and if u spayed it or not,it will die when god want, so be happy with her now a days and don't think about what will happen tomorrow.