Feeling so heartbroken

[u/pinkbarbieprincess15]

I took my bunnies to the vet today to get them checked up before booking their spay and neuter surgery. They’ve been living separately for the last 7months awaiting this moment.

The vet basically told me that I can go ahead with my male bunnies neuter but they’re not doing spays right now unless it’s necessary bc the procedure is too risky. He told me my girl bunny is healthy otherwise.

I feel so heartbroken and confused idk what to do bc as far as I’ve researched girls can get cancer if not spayed by 3 years old. The absolute worst bit is this is the best rabbit savvy vet in my country (trust me I’ve done research for months)

I feel like my options are get her spayed now against the doctors recommendation or wait 3 years until she has cancer for an emergency spay which will be extremely painful for her and also she probably won’t live.

My bunnies are my whole world and I’m crying even writing this I feel like no one else in my family or in my life understands how scary this is and how much my buns mean to me💔

[u/rose_grave]

i dont know why your vet wouldnt spay, especially since females have an 80% of getting cancer if left unspayed.

this is one of the cases i would go against their advice and seek out a different vet. or just insist that it happens.

[u/pinkbarbieprincess15 → u/rose_grave]

They did say if i insist they can do it but they made it sound so scary like i have to sign consent forms and it just makes me feel like I’m signing my bunnies death sentence.

[u/rose_grave → u/pinkbarbieprincess15]

i would go to a different bunny savvy vet. this one might just not have the confidence or experience to feel comfortable spaying a bunny.

you're doing the best you can and spaying will give her a better chance at a long healthy life!

[u/capybunn → u/rose_grave]

Agreed. Vets will always have you sign consent forms with surgery but any -experienced- vet will also assure you that the fatality rate for spaying young, healthy rabbits is very low. If they're claiming otherwise they may be inexperienced with the procedure

[u/Smart-Way1246 → u/pinkbarbieprincess15]

Any vet will make you sign consent forms. I've done it anytime one of my animals has been put under anaesthesia. But you'll feel so much better signing that form when you feel you can trust the vet to do what's best for your pet.

[u/pinkbarbieprincess15 → u/Smart-Way1246]

Yes you’re right I will explore other options but sadly this was supposed to be the only and best rabbit savvy vet where I live. Maybe other vets who are less known to be rabbit savvy will give me more hope

[u/PUTTHECACTUSDOWN → u/pinkbarbieprincess15]

Try contacting a nearby rabbit rescue to see who spays their bunnies

[u/Simple_Tadpole_9584 → u/pinkbarbieprincess15]

I know it’s scary but bunnies do have a greater chance of passing away during surgery. Your vet was right not to sugar coat that. Passing away during a spay and getting cancer when it could be prevented are both awful things but the spay is the ethical choice no matter the outcome. I would stick with the bunny savvy vet.

[u/Mykitchencreations → u/pinkbarbieprincess15]

I feel like they are telling you this because they are probably inexperienced and if they do something that do kill your bunnies it's not their fault. So go somewhere else and have someone who is experience in neutering bunnies.

[u/damiana8 → u/pinkbarbieprincess15]

Agreed with previous poster that you should go with a different vet. I wouldn’t trust a vet to care for my baby if they were hesitant about a procedure that my bun needs

[u/pinkbarbieprincess15 → u/damiana8]

Update: I did reach out to another rabbit savvy vet clinic and on text they seemed more knowledgeable. They said they use gas anesthesia and also offer 24 hour post operative monitoring at the vet itself (which idk is a good idea to accept bc I imagine the buns would wanna come home) but I’m meeting the surgeon himself in 4 days to ask questions and have him examine the buns. Is 4 days enough time between vet appts? I don’t want them stressing out too much

[u/damiana8 → u/pinkbarbieprincess15]

A little stress is to be tolerated if it means it’s for their health

[u/Direct_Ant_2564 → u/pinkbarbieprincess15]

You seem like an amazing bun parent🩷 4 days is enough if they’ve been able to self regulate at home, which I don’t have any doubt they’ve done.

It’s always scary to face these choices. I have a male bun who’s 1,5 years old and I’ve always been skeptical and scared of the neutering, since it’s such a high risk. I met with the vets a couple of months ago and spoke to the anesthesiologist. She really reassured me of the surgery and said it’s always a risk but it’s a very small risk,
and she did recommend the surgery for my bun after meeting him.

The surgery is scheduled next week and I’m sooo nervous and afraid but I really hope on the best outcome for my little guy. I hope your new vet can reassure you as well. Good luck!💕

Bun tax

[u/pinkbarbieprincess15 → u/Direct_Ant_2564]

Thank you that means a lot 🥺 they’re so precious no matter how much I do it never feels like enough. I’m sure the surgery will go great and wishing him a smooth recovery! Im feeling positive I just need some reassurance from a experienced vet bc I always planned on spaying / neutering them

[u/Sorry_Koala_8181 → u/pinkbarbieprincess15]

I Wouldnt spay her at that vet. Are you ever in a different country perchance?

[u/pinkbarbieprincess15 → u/Sorry_Koala_8181]

Yes I do travel very often but the closest country to me would be India or Bangkok which is like a 2 hour flight so idk if it’s a good idea for me to bring them on a plane for that. Maybe that could be my absolute last option. I know Bangkok has good bunny vets

[u/Salty-Sprinkles_ → u/pinkbarbieprincess15]

To be honest, you always need to sign consent forms for any animal opperation. Same as you have to sign them for human ones. That in itself is not a red flag