Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Uterine disease findings after spaying in 1,928 pet rabbits
By Settai, Kanako et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2020·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Assessment of reported uterine lesions diagnosed histologically after ovariohysterectomy in 1,928 pet rabbits ().
- Species:
- rabbit
Plain-English summary
A study looked at nearly 2,000 pet rabbits that had surgery to remove their uterus and ovaries (ovariohysterectomy) to see if they had any uterine problems afterward. The most common issue found was a type of cancer called endometrial adenocarcinoma, which was seen more often in older rabbits. Many rabbits showed signs like blood in their urine or unusual vaginal discharge. The findings suggest that spaying rabbits before they turn 2 years old can help prevent serious uterine diseases, including cancer.
People also search for: rabbit uterine cancer symptoms · spaying rabbits benefits · blood in rabbit urine causes
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess variations in age, breed, and clinical signs in rabbits with neoplastic or nonneoplastic uterine lesions and to investigate potential relationships between endometrial adenocarcinoma and age at ovariohysterectomy or breed in rabbits. ANIMALS: 1,928 rabbits that underwent ovariohysterectomy for treatment or prevention of possible uterine disease. PROCEDURES: With an online questionnaire distributed to 441 veterinary hospital members of the Japanese Society of Exotic Pet Medicine, data were retrospectively collected regarding age, breed, and findings on physical and histologic examinations for pet rabbits that underwent ovariohysterectomy between January 1, 2009, and April 30, 2018. Rabbits were grouped by reported age, breed, clinical signs, and uterine lesions, and results were assessed across groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify potential relationships between endometrial adenocarcinoma and breed or age at ovariohysterectomy in rabbits. RESULTS: The questionnaire response rate was 9.8% (43/441), with data reported for 1,928 rabbits (mixed breed, 600 [31.1%]; Netherland Dwarf, 520 [27.0%]; Holland Lop, 286 [14.8%]; or various other breeds, 522 [27.1%]). The most commonly reported neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions were endometrial adenocarcinoma (1,035/1,928 [53.7%]) and endometrial hyperplasia (842 [43.7%]), respectively, and the most commonly reported clinical sign was hematuria or serosanguineous vaginal discharge (1,020/1,928 [52.9%]). As age at ovariohysterectomy increased, so did the odds (OR, 1.826; 95% CI, 1.640 to 2.033) of uterine adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results supported ovariohysterectomy in rabbits before 2 years of age as a key preventative measure to mitigate uterine disease, particularly endometrial adenocarcinoma.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33135978/