Basic Health Questions

[MyBabyBunnies]

I'm looking for others who have experience with this to help me out! Since I'm bringing home an older unspayeddoe in a few weeks time, I am looking into getting her checked over. I also want to run a basic panel of tests to make sure she is in good health. But I have no idea what tests I should have run! Also, any prices you paid (I realise they vary, I am just curious) would beof help.

And, since she is unspayed, I am wondering if anyone knows of an easy andnot overly expensive way to test to see if she has cancer or not? I am not willing to risk a spay on an almost 5 year old doe without good reason to do it. If they did determine she has cancer, I would most certainly look into getting her spayed but if she is in the clear, I don't think it's worth putting her through.

Thanks!

 

[naturestee]

For blood tests, kidney and liver values are done the most often and cost about $20 with my vet. There's much more that can be done- blood cell counts, etc- but I don't know how much is necessary in a healthy rabbit.

I think they might be able to check for tumors with ultrasound, but I'm not sure.

 

[Spring]

I'd be interested as well about tests to determine about cancer. Poppy is nearly 3, so I'm nervous about uterine cancer/tumors.

 

[MyBabyBunnies]

Well if that's close to what it is here then I will get that done without a doubt!

I am emailing my local vet clinic (school makes it nearly impossible to call them!) and asking them. They don't deal with rabbits a whole lot but they do have knowledge in them and I want to get any tests done out here for my schedule's sake since it makes it nearly impossible to get her into another vet especially since I don't drive. Any invasive procedures or treatments will be done by another vet though.

If she does end up having uterine cancer, I will probably get her spayed which means sending her to the vet over an hour and a half away. It's a far drive but he spayed/neutered all 3 of mine and I'm not sure I'd trust many other vets to do it!

 

[pamnock]

Some vets are excellent at palpating rabbits and can detect abnormalities of the uterus by feel alone. A sonogram is also an option.

Pam