It’s easy to understand why pet owners regularly spay pet dogs and cats. But why spay the pet rabbit, especially if she is a single pet? The reason is preventative health care: the incidence of uterine cancer in unspayed female rabbits is up to 75% in certain breeds. Uterine cancer is usually silent until well advanced. This cancer typically spreads to other body organs, especially to the chest cavity. Signs can include uterine bleeding, lethargy, and difficulty breathing. Early spaying is the key to prevention, and costs much less than trying to treat the sick rabbit later. Prevention is simple: spay your pet rabbit as early as 8-10 weeks of life. Older pets benefit from spaying as well. Our clients also find the spayed female rabbit is calmer, uses the litter box better, and is in general a much better pet. So why spay the pet female guinea pig? Most guinea pigs eventually develop ovarian cysts. These cysts are often benign and cause no apparent harm or distress. However, in a certain percentage of pets, cysts become very large and cause discomfort. Guinea pigs with large painful cysts are often less active, eat less, and lose weight. Pet guinea pigs can be spayed (removal of the entire uterus and ovaries), or in younger animals can have ovariectomy (removal of the ovaries alone), which is a simpler, quicker procedure with an improved recovery time. Questions about spaying your pet rabbit or guinea pig? We would be happy to help. Call the clinic at 317-879-8633.