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bunny life span

22 9:38:31

Question
Hi im hoping you can answer this question for me...I have a 4 year old dwarf lion head rabbit.. In the last few days he has gotten a growth on the top of his foot, looks like a large grape. When we took him to the vet he stated that it was a tumor and surgery was the only way to remove it,but to think about it because he had a 50/50 chance of survival because of his age..I didnt think that he was that old of a rabbit but, yet he says that this breed only lives about 3-5 years and i am reading diferrent  articles and several different life spans for this breed...Can you help me out here and give me what you think there life span may be? And how correct this information is? He is the same playful bunny, doesnt seem to bother him, but i wanted you opinion on this kind of surgery and what his chances of survival could be...

Answer
If your veterinarian is telling you that rabbits only live 3-5 years you need to find a new vet.  Rabbits that live indoors can live well into their teens.  As for surgery we have had rabbits up to 7 years old spayed/neutered. Anything older than that I would recommend you get an organ function blood test first.  With a knowledgeable vet your rabbit should do just fine with surgery.

Good luck

Pam