Uterine Cancer? Blood from vulva

Question
My wife and I have a just over 5 yr old female Dutch rabbit.  Unfortunately she has not been spayed.  The other day I noticed a pea-sized drip on the carpet and I've been up all night worrying not knowing what to do.  From all my research it seems like we are way to late to spay but if it could save her life I'd like to do it.  Although I've heard it is very risky for rabbits this age. Other than that she shows no signs of pain and hasn't been acting or eating any differently.  Also, we live in Vermont and the rabbit.org/vets page you often link to does not show any vets with experience with rabbits.  What should we do?  Please advise, and thank you for your great forum.

Answer
Hi Dean

If it comes down to saving her life and you can find an exotic pet vet in your area then its worth the risk.  Of course you need to find the vet and have the initial examination.  

To find a vet the best thing to do is if you live near a city, even a few hours try to find a 24 hour animal hospital.  Most 24 hour animal hospitals treat exotic pets, and if they don't they are required to point you to someone who does.  Remember that sometimes you have to drive a great distance to find an exotic pet vet.  I drive over an hour to work everyday and that is still the closest clinic to where I live.  It is worth it to save your bunnies life.  You obviously love her very much and I am just as worried as you are.

If you can't find a 24 hour animal hospital then get out a phone book.  Call every vet in your area and ask them if they treat rabbits.  If they don't ask them to refer you to someone that does.  Keep in mind that any vet that has a license and can read a book can treat rabbits.  I wouldn't suggest taking your rabbit to just anyone.  Try to find someone who see's exotic pets regularly.  If you find a vet that treats rabbits don't be afraid to ask them how many rabbits they treat, their surgical success rate etc.  Remember that you hire them!  Don't let them dictate what they are going to do.  A good vet should discuss your options with you and also discuss the risks.  

If you can't find a rabbit vet that way then your next choice is to start contacting local humane society chapters and SPCA's most will have rabbit specialists that can point you in the right direction.

Five years old is on the older side and you are taking a risk.  If your rabbit does have cancer and it hasn't spread then its worth the risk.  If the cancer has spread then you may just want to think hospice care and make sure that the last few months of her life are the best you can give her.  

I guarantee you that if you follow all the steps I suggested that you will find a vet somewhere.  They are everywhere and the HRS certainly doesn't list them all.  Don't give up.  

Good luck and I will pray that your little girl is ok.

Sincerely

Pam