Uterine adenocarcinoma is extremely common in unspayed female rabbits, affecting up to 80% by age 5. Spaying is a highly effective preventive measure that significantly improves rabbit welfare.
Uterine cancer in rabbits causes progressive suffering including abdominal pain, respiratory distress from metastasis, weakness, and eventually death. Given the extremely high incidence in unspayed does, spaying is a welfare-positive intervention that trades a single surgical stress event for prevention of a painful and fatal disease. Veterinarians with rabbit expertise are important - rabbit surgery requires specific anesthetic protocols different from cats and dogs. Owners of unspayed does should monitor for early warning signs and consult an exotic animal veterinarian.