Uterine Adenocarcinoma and Endometrial Disease
Learn what the condition is, how it may be detected early, how it is treated or managed, and which breeds or species are linked to it.
Condition snapshot
A concise guide to the condition’s pattern, detection, management and urgency.
Emergency presentation is possibleHeavy bleeding, collapse or breathing difficulty requires emergency veterinary care.
This snapshot is a general guide, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. New, severe or worsening signs require veterinary assessment.
About the condition
Uterine adenocarcinoma is a common malignant tumour in older entire female rabbits. Cystic endometrial change, infection and bleeding may occur independently or alongside neoplasia.
Blood in urine or vaginal discharge, reduced fertility, abdominal enlargement, weight loss, respiratory signs from spread or no obvious signs may occur.
Uterine adenocarcinoma is common in older unspayed female rabbits and can invade locally or spread to lungs, liver and other organs. Cystic endometrial hyperplasia, uterine polyps, infection and aneurysmal bleeding can cause similar or concurrent disease. Some rabbits have no visible discharge because blood remains in the uterus or is groomed away. Intermittent blood on bedding may be mistaken for urinary disease or harmless red urine pigment. Reduced fertility, abdominal enlargement, weight loss or respiratory signs can appear as disease advances. The risk rises markedly with age and is not removed by the absence of mating. Histopathology is required to classify a mass and determine malignancy; imaging can identify a uterine lesion and spread but cannot guarantee that a smooth enlargement is benign. Preventive ovariohysterectomy avoids most uterine disease but requires an individual anaesthetic and surgical assessment.
Intact female rabbits have a substantial age-related risk of uterine adenocarcinoma, and other small mammals develop uterine hyperplasia, infection and tumours. Intermittent blood may be mistaken for urinary disease or disappear between episodes while a mass continues enlarging. Malignant disease can spread to lungs, abdomen and regional tissue before the uterus is externally palpable. Endometrial change may coexist with fluid accumulation or infection. Reproductive history does not protect an older animal that has previously produced normal litters. Slow bleeding can produce anaemia before the owner witnesses obvious red discharge, and thoracic spread may first appear as reduced stamina or respiratory effort.
Screening & Early Detection
Desexing healthy female rabbits before age-related uterine disease develops is the most effective prevention. Investigate any genital bleeding rather than assuming it is urine pigment.
Examination, ultrasound or radiographs and blood tests identify uterine change and possible spread, but histopathology confirms tumour type. Record sex and desexing status correctly and investigate any genital blood, discharge or unexplained anaemia. Palpation, ultrasound and radiographs evaluate uterine size, contents and possible thoracic metastasis; CT may stage selected cases. Blood count and chemistry assess blood loss and operative readiness. Urinalysis helps distinguish urinary bleeding. Examine mammary tissue and ovaries because reproductive diseases can coexist. Histopathology of the removed uterus provides definitive classification. Routine health visits should include discussion of preventive desexing before age-related disease develops.
Heavy bleeding, collapse or breathing difficulty requires urgent care. Confirm the source of bleeding with examination, urine assessment and reproductive imaging. Ultrasound defines uterine enlargement and contents; thoracic and abdominal imaging stage suspected malignancy. Blood count assesses chronic loss, and every removed uterus is submitted for histopathology because appearance cannot establish tumour type.
Treatment & Management
Ovariohysterectomy is the treatment for local disease and can be curative when performed before metastasis. Advanced spread requires individual palliative or oncology planning.
Ovariohysterectomy is the primary treatment for local uterine disease and can be curative when performed before spread. Stabilise significant anaemia, dehydration or gastrointestinal stasis before surgery without delaying control of active haemorrhage. Stage the chest and abdomen to inform prognosis, but palliative surgery may still improve bleeding or discomfort in selected rabbits. Submit all uterine tissue for histopathology even when appearance seems benign. Metastatic disease requires an individual oncology or palliative plan; chemotherapy evidence in rabbits is limited. Provide analgesia, assisted feeding and careful incision monitoring. Preventive spaying of a healthy rabbit should be performed by an experienced team with modern anaesthesia rather than postponed until a mass or bleeding develops.
Ovariohysterectomy is the treatment of choice for resectable uterine disease, with staging and surgical planning matched to spread and systemic condition. Stabilise anaemia, infection and poor intake before anaesthesia when possible. Histopathology directs prognosis and follow-up imaging. Preventive desexing before disease develops offers a different risk profile from surgery in an ill older patient.
Breeds or species affected
Mini Lop
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Dwarf Lop
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Netherland Dwarf
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Dutch Rabbit
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Mini Rex
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Standard Rex
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English Spot
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Flemish Giant
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New Zealand White
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English Angora
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