Neuter/Spraying Question

[DwarfGirl]

I have a 6 week old baby netherland dwarf/mini rex mix. I would really like to have him neutered but I really don't know if I will be able to afford it or not. I asked someone at a privately owned pet/feed store and she said that if I do not have him neutered he WILL spray all over. I was just wondering what all your opinions are on this. I know its best to neuter if possible and I plan to if I can manage it. But if not I'm wondering what to expect, will he definately be spraying or is there a chance he won't? Also, at what age should he be neutered? Thanks

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

Yes, you should have him neutered. He may or may not spray. I've had two males and before neutering them, I never noticed spraying. Neutering is also good as it keeps them from getting testicular cancer. Neutering will also help with litter training. You can have him neutered anywhere from around 3 months on.

It's nothing you have to do right away, just try and save up for it. The cost varies from location to location. You can call a few rabbit-savvy vets in your area and get a price. You should also have a pre-op blood panel done before the surgery to make sure he's healthy and there won't be any complications. Males usually do really well during and after surgery and heal very quickly.

Let us know if you need any help finding a vet in your area. We have a list in our Bunny 101 section. Here's the link to our WA vet listings, not sure where in Washington you are.

http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=11637&forum_id=9

 

[DwarfGirl]

I found one that does it for $75! I hope they quoted me the correct price, thats half as much as everyone else in my area!

 

[DwarfGirl]

Oh, but I have him in a cage with his sister and cant he get her pregnant before hes 3 months old? At what age should they be seperated?

 

[Butterfinger]

That amount sounds right

I had Butter neutered a couple months ago at $75 by Jones Animal Hospital. (In Washington also)

~Diana and Butter

(Edited to add...
I don't know about separation, but just to be safe, I'd separate them as soon as possible)

 

[DwarfGirl]

Oh, Hi Diana! I live in Silverdale (by Bremerton) and I just called three places, the one is $75, the other two quoted $145.16 and $125.30 + $40.50 for an exam!

Knowing you only paid $75makes me feel more optimistic

 

[Butterfinger]

Yikes! :shock: Don't go with the more expensive ones. They're ripping you off big time.

I'd say you could go to my vet, but..... It's preeeeetty far away from Silverdale. (I think it's in Tacoma, but I'm a little fuzzy on what's Tacoma and what's University Place)

~Diana

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

Oh dear, please separate them now. Keep them separated until he's neutered and has been neutered for almost 2 months. I didn't realize you had a female as well.

You can house them side by side in separate cages.

 

[DwarfGirl]

Angel--

I just checked the calendar again, and I dont know how I was so off, but they are only 4 weeks old today. I can't believe they were given to me at only 3 weeks old. They are brother and sister so yeah, I definately do not want them to mate. ButI checked around on this forum and they arent even ready to mate until at least 2-3 months.... so I shouldnt have anything to worry about yet? I do have another cage so I can seperate them as soon as needed, I just dont want to do it sooner than necessary because they really enjoying cuddling with each other. More feedback on that would be welcome



Diana--

Yeah that whole Tacoma/University Place thing is sooo confusing for me too. I think the price I was quoted is probably correct but if somehow its wrong then yeah, I would rather drive for an hour than pay twice as much or more.

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

Well, from what I have heard from Tinysmom-a breeder, a male can impregnate a female at 8 weeks. So maybe a couple more? I am not positive on that though. I'll have Tinysmom drop a line for you.

 

[DwarfGirl]

K, until I hear more, I'll plan on seperating them by 7 weeks at the latest. Thanks )

 

[TinysMom]

I have had 9 week old bucks get their mom pregnant. The key thing is the doe's age...it doesn't sound like she is ready to breed.

My thoughts on this - if they're really only 4 weeks old (can you upload photos for us to look at?)...I'd keep them together till about 6 weeks or 7 weeks at the most. Then I'd separate them. Being together will help them be less stressed if they're really that young.

But I would definitely separate them before 7 weeks of age or at that age. I've heard of does getting pregnant that young - and while I tend to doubt it can really happen - my belief is always "better safe than sorry".

Peg

 

[DwarfGirl]

Thanks, I don't have any pictures but if I find my camera I'll get some. I'm certain of their age, 4 weeks,because the owner of the mother emailed me the very day after they were born. I just got mixed up somehow when I counted out the weeks on the calendar.

 

[TinysMom]

The issue here is that the doe is the same age as the buck....and while a buck can get a doe pregnant while the buck is a young age...the doe usually has to be older to get pregnant. So while an 8 week old buck can get a mature doe pregnant - I'm not so sure an 8 week old doe can get pregnant...even from the same 8 week old buck mentioned above.

See the difference? The maturity of the doe..

Peg

AngelnSnuffy wrote:

Well, from what I have heard from Tinysmom-a breeder, a male can impregnate a female at 8 weeks. So maybe a couple more? I am not positive on that though. I'll have Tinysmom drop a line for you.

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

TinysMom wrote:

The issue here is that the doe is the same age as the buck....and while a buck can get a doe pregnant while the buck is a young age...the doe usually has to be older to get pregnant. So while an 8 week old buck can get a mature doe pregnant - I'm not so sure an 8 week old doe can get pregnant...even from the same 8 week old buck mentioned above.

See the difference? The maturity of the doe..

Peg

AngelnSnuffy wrote:

Well, from what I have heard from Tinysmom-a breeder, a male can impregnate a female at 8 weeks. So maybe a couple more? I am not positive on that though. I'll have Tinysmom drop a line for you.

Makes perfect sense to me.