Uterine cancer
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Uterine cancer, also known as uterine or endometrial adenocarcinoma or uterine neoplasia, is a serious risk for intact female rabbits. Uterine adenocarcinoma is a gland-like malignant type of tumor that arises from the secretory tissue that lines the inner cavity of the uterus. The tumors usually arise from the endometrial or inside layers of the uterus.
Reported incidence rates of uterine cancer in rabbits have ranged from 50%-80% in female rabbits over 4 years of age, especially in certain breeds.[1] For this reason alone, rescues and veterinarians strongly recommend the spaying of female non-breeding rabbits.
Symptoms
Intact female rabbits over 3-4 years of age are most at risk.
- Blood in urine.
- Vaginal discharge stained with blood.
- Cysts in the mammary glands and mammary growths.
- Cloudy fluid that may come from the mammary glands.
- Behavioral changes, including aggressiveness.
- Lethargy, inability to eat, and pale mucous membranes.
- Abdominal masses
Experiences
Below are some anecdotes about encounters with uterine cancer in rabbits.
- Safe Haven Rabbit Rescue, Inc. (2020). Hope's Story
- The Bunny Burrow Rabbit Rescue. (2019). Midna's story
- u/kingbun7. (2019). Sweetpea's story
- Debbi Braunschweiger. (2019). Charlotte's story
- Bunny Bun Hub. (2019). Uterine cancer detection
- Angie Bell. (2019). Pictures of uterine cancer (Graphic)
- u/octopusbackpack. (2017). My bun-bun has uterine cancer. Advice?
- Facebook. (2016). Sweetie's Journey, Stories about other rabbits that had/have uterine cancer
- u/Minniebunny. (2014). Miss Celie will live to be an old bunny, thanks to the /r/rabbits community (more in comments).
- NYDesi80. (2011). Uterine Cancer ... Worried and Need some Advice
- Rachel Cama-Lekx. (2006). Eve's Story: The Consequences of Not Spaying
- Miriam's Bunnies. (2000). Onyx's Story
Further reading
- PetMD. Uterine Adenocarcinoma in Rabbits
- Wildpro. Endometrial Adenocarcinoma and other Uterine Neoplasia in Lagomorphs
- House Rabbit Society. Medical Bibliography
- Vetstream. Uterine adenocarcinoma
- Dr Jay E. Hreiz. (2013). Uterine Adenocarcinoma in Rabbits
The following are scientific papers analyzing the statistics of cancer in intact female rabbits.
- Harry S. N. Greene. (1959). Adenocarcinoma of the uterine fundus in the rabbit.
- Theodore H. Ingalls, William M. Adams, Max B. Lurie and Johannes Ipsen. (1964). Natural History of Adenocarcinoma of the Uterus in the Phipps Rabbit Colony
- E. Cotchin, Spontaneous Uterine Cancer in Animals, 1964, pg. 216-218.
- Th. A. M. Elsinghorsa, H. J. F. Timmermans & H. G. Ch. J. M. Hendriks, Comparative pathology of endometrial carcinoma, 1984.
- Hablolvarid, M.H., Golami, M.R., Moharami, M., Uterine Adenocarcinoma in a Rabbit, 2006.
- B. Walter, et al. (2010). Uterine disorders in 59 rabbits.
See Also
References
- ↑ British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Policy Statement on the Neutering of Rabbits