New bunny-spaying and megacolon

Question
Hi Dana,
Eleven weeks ago I got a small white bunny with a brown stripe down its back, brown spots, and brown rings around the eyes. I found her in a pet store in sorry surroundings and couldn't leave her there even though I have two already.  She was very skinny and weighed only 2 lbs 10 oz. even though they told me she was 3 mos. old. I could see and feel her ribs. In her first month with me, she gained no weight at all.  In the second month she gained 6 oz and is now at 3 lbs. She has not gained any more weight in the last few weeks but is now looking healthy, strong and "filled out," so I think she is full-grown, especially since she has typical dwarf ears.  I have several questions about her (I hope not too many!):

1) I have read your opinion that female rabbits should not be spayed till 9 months or so because estrogen is involved in bone development. Given the lack of knowledge of her true age, the apparent lack of nutrients (or proper absorption) at a young age, and the fact that dwarf rabbits mature earlier, when do you think I could get her spayed?  When I first got her, she was very aggressive and lunging at and biting anything that moved, as well as spraying urine in large arcs (got me in the chest once LOL) and putting out an incredible skunk odor. She also had an apparent false pregnancy 19 days after I got her (although she could have also just been cold). I am assuming all this means she is sexually mature, although the aggressiveness I put down to a scary childhood.  Indeed she has since become very sweet and does not even nip anymore, but still grunts and circles, marks with urine (though no arcs lately), and "skunks" up the atmosphere when excited or frightened. She is getting along well with the neutered 3-lb mini-rex type I adopted from a shelter in October, but she does want to chase and mount him more than he likes during their playtime together. If the pet store was right (though I got the impression they didn't really know), she is now approaching 6 mos.  I want to do what's best for her health but am also concerned that the urine marking might become a permanent habit and that the bonding will be delayed too long if I wait three more months to have her spayed.    

2) My other female rabbit had complications after her spay and given other experiences as well I don't have much confidence in the 4 vets I've tried in this area. I know of a good rabbit vet about 2 hours drive. Would it be too stressful/not a good idea to take the new female that far when it comes time to have her spayed?  I know I will need to find a vet closer eventually, but I don't want her first major experience at a vet's to be any more traumatic than it needs to be!

3) I have also read your responses about the megacolon-like disorder in rabbits with her coloration. Is there any way to tell if she is predisposed to this (like her early lack of weight gain, though I think she was just weaned too young), and what should I be on the lookout for? Her poops so far have been completely normal. Also is there anything special I can do to possibly head off any such problems? I have avoided feeding her any greens except parsley and celery and a bit of carrot and apple (no kale, lettuce, spinach or broccoli) and give her good-quality pellets and lots of different kinds of hay. I also gave her Benebac a few times when she wasn't gaining weight and she loves it -- is this something that would be good periodically? She seems to like her water best when it's warm; but even then, when she drinks her tummy gurgles VERY loudly and I'm worried about that.

Sorry for the length and thanks in advance,
Petra  

Answer
Dear Petra,

Your bunnies are lucky to have such an attentive and caring "mom."  :)

1.  If she's spraying and having false pregnancies, she's old enough to be spayed.  I don't think a two-hour drive would be too hard on her to get to a really good vet, since rabbits travel pretty well.  Take her buddy for company and moral support, and she should be fine.  She'll be doped up for the return ride, so if your car has a smooth, quiet ride, there should be minimal stress.

2.  If she had the "megacolon" syndrome, you would probably know it by now.  Her poops would be large and "marshmallowy"--sort of a mix of fecal and cecal material.  There's no way known to "head off" this condition.  It just shows up in certain individuals.  But not usually once they're mature.  I think your little gal will be fine.

Hope this helps!

Dana