Spay advice and bonding

[Stormybun]

Hi!

I have a 5-6 year old female rabbit. She’s currently intact, but I have considered heavily getting her spayed. She saw the vet 2 weeks ago, and they said she looked and sounded healthy. I spoke with the vet, and they went over all of the spay procedures and clarified they thought she would be safe aside from basic surgery risks.
I also had a guinea pig have dental surgery at that same vet a few days after, and he came out well, and he’s currently doing great!

I’ve also considered getting her a friend since I think some companionship would greatly benefit her. Would this be a good idea?

I’m incredibly nervous about it, especially with her being 5-6.
(I’m not sure of her exact age, as I got her from a friends friend who didn’t care to keep track of her.)

 

[JBun]

Make sure to have the vet do blood work first. If liver or kidney function is compromised, which it more frequently can be in older rabbits, then proceeding with the spay could be risky. I'd also suggest the heart being checked prior. Intubating (if the vet is experienced) and IV access for the surgery, are further precautions that can help minimize risks as well.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Spaying_and_neutering_rabbits

Once she's spayed, if you feel she could benefit from a bun companion, I'd suggest looking at shelters and rescues, that allow bun dates with rabbits that are already fixed. But if you're able to spend a lot of time with her, or you have other pets she's formed a relationship with, and she seems to be happy in her current living situation, bonding with another rabbit isn't necessarily always the best thing. You just have to evaluate your individual rabbit and situation.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/bonding-bunnies.html

www.cottontails-rescue.org.uk/information/bonding-bunnies/

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Bonding_rabbits_together