Rabbits N'Rodents

Spaying and neutering rabbits

Spaying is the term for removing the womb and ovaries from a female rabbit and neutering is the term for removing the testes on a male rabbit, however the term neutering can be used for either gender. Other terms for neutering are 'fixing' or for bucks  'Castrating'.

Many people don't realise that rabbits can and should be spayed/neutered!

Why neuter?

The advantages to neutering are endless, and the main reasons are as follows:

1.Temperment - Baby bunnies are pretty docile, but as soon as those hormones kick in, your baby bunny can often turn into a grumpy teenager, temper tantrums included. At around 3 months old, most rabbits show very noticable changes in temperment. Males usually start to spray urine, and may grunt, pounce and charge at you. Females will also become more grumpy and have been known to grunt, charge and pounce aswell.  Fixing rabbits can dramatically improve overall temperment of the rabbit towards both humans and other rabbits.

2.Health- There are no real health benefits for males, but for females it stops unplanned pregnancies and stops all chances of womb cancer!  Research has shown that unspayed does are more likely to suffer fom womb cancer, and when the womb is effected, it doesn't take long for the cancer to spread throughout their body. But how prone are unfixed females? A woman I know off, who has rescued rabbits for many years, said that every female she had spayed aged 4 and over had the start of womb cancer!!! So please get your does spayed!  NOTE: letting rabbits have a litter does not lower the chances of womb cancer!  

3.Litter Training- Neutering and spaying will usually greatly improve your rabbits toilet habits and you will have more sucess in litter training. Rabbits can be trained in the same way as a cat to use a littertray. 

4.Stops unwanted litters- There are too many homeless bunnies out there and breeding rabbits is very expensive, stressful and time consuming. It requires the owner to have a vast rabbit knowledge in all areas and lots of hands-on experience with rabbits- and should never be attempted by the novice owner! Furthermore, improper breeding can result from tooth malformation and other problems if you let your rabbit breed with your friends! Don't breed, its nicer to neuter! 

At what age should rabbits be Neutered?

Males can be neutered as soon as the testicles desend, usually at around 4 months, but most vets wait till 5 months, and females can be neutered from 6 months onwards. Rabbits can be neutered at any age so long as they are in good health, however any rabbits over 2 years should have a thorough check over before the surgery. 

What is the cost?

It varies between vets, although it usually isn't that expensive and expect to pay more for females. In the UK it is usually anything from £20-40 and for females anything from £40-80 is normal, whereas in the USA is can range from $50-120. It isn't that much really when you consider all the benefits and it is permanant.

Finding the right vet

Only vets who have experience should be allowed to operate on your rabbits, and it is advised you discuss the procedure over with your vet, some questions you should ask are:

1. Do rabbits need to fast before the operation? If they say yes, then do not use this vet, rabbits cannot be sick due to a flap of skin over their stomach so fasting has no use. Fasting will only slow down the healing process and thats not good.   All vets taking on this procedure should know that.
2. Do they have any experience in fixing rabbits? Is there a high sucess rate? (9/10 means 1 out of every 10 die, not a good satistic).
3. For females, do you remove the ovaries and uterus? They should!
4. In males what method do you use- open or closed? Closed is better, and you should discuss this with your vet.  
5. Ask what anesthics will be used Isofluroene is most often used and is safe for use on rabbits.
6. What aftercare do they provide? Appropiate aftercare is essentiual, Do they use painkillers? They must use painkillers before and after the operation. They need them afterwards so as the rabbits will eat sooner. Some vets refuse, so you will need to ask in advance. Also, request that they use dissolvable stitches so as you don't have to go back and get them removed.

The Big Day

Your rabbit will be dropped off at the vets usually around 9am and will be kept there until about 4-5pm. The rabbit should be allowed and encouraged to eat right up until the surgery, and it is wise to send them to the vets with a few pellets and some to see if they will eat before coming home. If you have an unneutered, bonded pair, it is adviseable to have them both done on the same day, and if one is neutered, and the other isn't, it is best to bring them together as they  will miss their companion dreadfully. However, it is best to keep males seperate from a recovering doe, as humping can cause damage to the doe! Keep them near one another, do not prevent them from seeing and smelling each other.

During the operation you should prepare a clean area indoors for them to recover in, do not put them outside after such a major and invasive operation. If they are a house bunny, clean the cage and provide an area without hay for them to lie on, as hay can irritate the wound. Also, by cleaning the cage you can see if they are eating and drinking when they come back home by doing a poo count. After the operation they will be given painkillers and males usually recover quicker than females as it is a much more major operation in does. Once you get them home, leave them somewhere quiet with fresh water and all their favourite foods. If they are not eating within 18-24 hrs of the surgery, contact your vet immediately. 

For bunnies reluctant to eat again, I find that mashing up the pellets with warmed water and mashed banana, good at helping them to gain back their appetite. Furthermore, it is important that they rest, do not encourage them to move about too much. You will be required to go back with the bunny to the vets for a check-up a few days after the operation.

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