CONTEXT: I got my bunny from a farm, I do not know her exact age but more or less she will be turning 5 this October. I've been taking care of her for a little over a year, and she is unspayed. She is very comfortable around humans, social and affectionate. I would say that at home she very much displays the behaviors that a happy and calm bunny would, binkies, flopping, sleeping together with me. However, she hates being picked up and it puts her in immediate panic-escape mindset, does not appreciate having her nails trimmed, is very cautious about new places.
During our last vet visit a few months ago, particularly during a difficult nail trim, I brought up the subject of getting her spayed, and the vet recommended against it due to how stressed the bunny seemed while being handled, quick breathing and trying to escape. My close friend had a pet bunny pass away under anaesthesia before, so she agreed with the vet and I've been convinced not to spay her for the time being, but I can tell it would really improve her life – she still shows signs of being unspayed such as humping, nest building, marking territory outside of her enclosure.
I want my girl to live her happiest life and not worry about unspayed-related illnesses. She is a perfectly healthy bunny otherwise. I know that spaying is very beneficial to them, I am worried that she may be enduring an unnecessary level of frustration and at higher risk of illness solely because she was misjudged in a stressful situation, rushed into a new environment.
Have any of you met with a similar situation? I definitely intend to try and have a calmer, slower vet checkup soon and get a second opinion on the spaying matter. I have never heard before of a spaying surgery failing due to the bunny being stressed, so please share your experiences with me.
by dikmann