Friendly to mean

Question
I don't know how old i got my lion-head bunny but about 3 weeks ago i notice 1 of her nails were black and they say not to worry it has to do with growing, but recently ever sense i notice that 1 nail shes been acting real mean! biting, acting with her nails! and i bought her new toys so she wouldn't be bored i let her run around practically everyday all day and that another thing she used to be so good on letting me get her when i would need to put her back in her cage now it takes me like 25 mins! and i read it could be hormones and she calm down if i got her fix but do i need to get her fix will her P.M.S. go away?

Answer
Hi Rhiannon,

That would sound like hormones to me.  Girls will start with the P.M.S. as early as six months....and you just don't know how accurate that description is.  A rabbit's primary goal in life is to reproduce.  Rabbits are "induced ovulators".  In simple terms, that means they are in heat all the time.  If they are not bred the hormones will continue to build.  The hormones can get to a point that she will experience a psudo-pregnancy...aka false pregnancy.  She will display behavior like she is pregnant....she will become aggressie and even build a nest.  Allow this to run it's course.  Give her nesting material and a "nest box".

Unspayed females often develop a condition that many human females have...a reproductive issue known as Endometriosis.  This can also eventually cause uterine cancer.  The earlier you have her spayed, the better for her.  

Not all vets are capable of spaying a rabbit.  This is a very invasive surgery.  In the hands of an experienced vet, the surgery is usually routine.....we have done many.  But if the vet hasn't done spays on rabbits.....things can go bad quickly.  I always suggest having a physical exam on your rabbit and to question the vet extensively on his/her experiences with rabbit spays.  The most experienced vets, especially if they don't know your rabbit well, will suggest a blood panel to check overall health.  Ask about what you should do pre-op.  If you are told to remove food...I would reconsider the clinic.  We do remove pellets about two hours prior to sedation but they have access to hay and water....and we have had rabbits chewing hay as they went into surgery.  Ask about laser surgery.  There is debate in the vet community over the cost vs. benefits.  We always do laser on the girls.  Much quicker recovery time.  We have never had any problems with the incision.  Laser also used internal self dissolving sutures.  The final close is with tissue glue.  No stitches to chew.  Also as about pain meds going home with you.  This is not negotiable.  If the vet won't send home pain meds...find another vet to do the procedure.  Many vets will give you Metacam.  It's similar to our Tylenol (NSAID).  While it is better than nothing, narcotics are much better.  My drug of choice is Buprenorphine (Buprenex) for up to 5 days (usually 2-3 is sufficient).  Some vets won't send that drug home since it is a controlled drug....an acceptable alternative is Tramadol.

Bt to answer your question directly....the behavior is most likely hormonal and a spay will significantly reduce or eliminate the behavior.