breeding a 4-year old rabbit for the first time...

Question
My dwarf hotot just turned 4.  This spring she went through a false
pregnancy and actually lactated!!  I took her to the vet for "lumps" under her
breasts but the vet said, no cancer, just need to breed her or spay her.  I
wanted to breed her, which is why I didn't spay her, but breeders in my area
have cautioned me that she is too old to rist a first time pregnancy.  My rabbit
is lean and healthy, and I feed her organic hearty veggies and a variety of
grasses all day every day.  She is only caged at night, and is very active and
athletic and loved.  I am prepared to care for the babies (assuming that as a
dwarf she'll only have 2 or 3) but I don't want to risk her life.  Is there a pre-
pregnancy check she can undergo at the vet or is she really too old??  I figure
if she is too old I can get her spayed right away and then adopt a neutered
baby boy for her to raise as her own (I think she's a bit lonely when I'm
working....)  Please advise and thank you for making yourself available.
Belinda

Answer
Dear Belinda,

I absolutely would NOT breed her.  At her age, her pelvic bones are firmly set, and having never had babies, she will have a very high risk of a difficult birth that could actually kill her.  Late pregnancy is even more risky for a dwarf rabbit.  I just would NOT take the risk.

If you love her (and I know you do), you will have her spayed ASAP, and once she is recovered, contact your local rabbit rescuer to arrange a "blind date" with some of their eligible neutered males.  Allow her to pick her own pal, since rabbits are HIGHLY territorial and fierce.  If you bring home a "suprise pal," the most likely result will be bloodshed and misery--not cuddling.

You can find a list of local (U.S.) rescuers here:

www.rabbit.org/chapters

If you are in the UK, then the Rabbit Welfare Association will be happy to help you with an adoption of a needy, abandoned bunny:

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/

You can read all about bonding rabbits (sometimes a tricky proposition, but definitely worth the results!) here:

http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-a=00062824-sp00000000&sp-q=bonding&user=enter...


Please also read:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/breeding.html

if you're still set on breeding her.  Which I hope you're not.  :)

Hope this helps!
Dana