Neutering Rabbits

[babydoshia]

I'd like to hear the pros and cons from some experienced rabbit owners on the choice of neutering pet rabbits.

Do the benefits outway the risks of putting a rabbit under anesthesia?
Of the vets I have talked to, most say that they do not like to neuterrabbits with no medical problem requiring a neuter. They say there is too much of a risk involved and that rabbits do not do well under anesthesia. Is this true?

If you had a single rabbit and were not planning on getting another or breeding, would you neuter?

As with many other animals, there is a risk of cancer, especially in females. Is this statistic high in rabbits?

In your experience, are behavioral issues resolved simply by neutering?

I hope you don't mind these questions. I'm just curious to what some of you think on the subject of neutering and think this may benefit some other members as well.

Thanks

-Madelon

 

[babybunnywrigley]

I'm curious to know what everyone thinkstoo. Wrigley is getting neutered on Monday and I hope thatI'm doing the right thing.

Jenn

 

[*nepo*]

Good questions, I haven't made an appointment for Nepo but I'm thinking of.

 

[cirrustwi]

In my opinion, there is no reason not to neuteran animal that is not going to be used for breeding. I feelthat the benefits far outweigh the risks. Make sure your vetis rabbit savvy, but anesthetic isn't actually a that high of arisk. I know many, many people who have had their animalsunder anesthetics for many reasons and only know of 1 having an adverseeffect. My cousin's cat was very old, but they decided to trythe surgery to save the cat's life. The cat didn't survivethe procedure. When your bunny is neutered, many behavioralproblems are eliminated or lessened, you also eliminate the chance oftesticular cancer and unwanted litters if you ever have a female who isnot spayed.

All in all, neutering/spaying is really a wonderful thing which saves more lives then it takes.

Jen

 

[Carolyn]

If you're talking about Murphy, he can handle the operation. Ask a lotof questions of the vet. Tell his answers to showrabbits and see whatshe says.

The question is: He's so gorgeous, why not consult with showrabbits fora mate and for her help if you were willing and keep one of his babiesbefore you neuter him?

I can think of 5 people on this board, right now, that would be willing to meet you half way - or more - for a Flemish.

Showrabbits is bowing out for a while. Her stock is known throughout the USA and Murphy is a direct descendent.

Good Luck in your decision. I back you All the Way, babydoshia.

-Carolyn

 

[babydoshia]

Carolyn, While I agree that Murphy is gorgeous, Iwill not be breeding him. I do not believe in breedinganimals simply because they are cuteor because Ican. I also have a previous agreement with Showrabbits not tobreed Murphy because when he was born he had a broken leg.Although this is most likely from fault of the mother, I do not want torisk it in case it is something genetic.

So none of you worry, Murphy's leg is completely healed and and doesnot bother him at all. Showrabbits of course took awsome careof him while he was a baby and the leg is almost perfectly straight.

As of right now, I am not planning on neutering Murphy. I was justcurious about it, and like I said, thought this may help others.

-Madelon

 

[lucylocket]

i think spaying a female rabbit is very important

as they can get womb cancer or ovarian cancer

we got lucy spayed 2 weeks ago on friday

and the difference is remarkable

she was always a loving rabbit

but since we got her spayed she has become such a princesis

varna xxxx

 

[m.e.]

Though I'm not sure of the cancer risk forunneutered males vs. unspayed females, but I have heard that therisk for anesthesia is somewhere around 2%.

 

[m.e.]

babydoshia wrote:

I do not believe in breeding animals simply because they are cute or because I can.

And can I just say: I love you Seriously, I think that's really wonderful of you.

 

[MyBunnyLovesMe]

I've chosen not to neuter my boys because I feel its not neccessary.

Though that does leave them with more of a chance to get cancer, Ibelieve most people neuter to change their aggressive male behaviour.

Both my males do not spray, they're not aggressive (unless one goesnear the others cage, then yes, Peppy gets defensive about his turf)

Samson likes to chew a lot, but what bunny doesn't?

They way I see it, why stress them out to change behaviour problems they don't have.

 

[dajeti2]

I will not be getting Apollo fixed. When Apollofirst joined our family we wanted to show him and eventually breed him.Sadly, his mate was called to heaven before we could even think ofbreeding them. We, as a family, are finally to the point that we arelooking into getting Apollo not 1 but 2 new girlfriends.


I also have to add that the only bad behavior Apollo has shown is hepees in front of my hubby's couch. I've tried everything to stop it butno luck. So I invested in a hand held carpet cleaner for when he pees.Now when it's time for Apollo to go to bed, while my son picks upApollo's toys, I spot clean the carpet.


Tina

 

[MyBunnyLovesMe]

My boys won't go to the washroom outside of their cages....

I think neutering is really a personal choice.

 

[cirrustwi]

Carolyn wrote:

I canthink of 5 people on this board, right now, that would be willing tomeet you half way - or more - for a Flemish.

Ok, I would fall into that group!

Honestly, I'm going on a search in late spring or early summer.

Jen

 

[dajeti2]

Carolyn, I know you are talking about me tooDearheart. I want another Flemish sobad. I'mwaiting and not very patiently.

Tina

 

[zoecat6]

My first female I spayed at about 6 months, whenI got my second and she turnedout to be a female also Ididn't think it would be necessary to spay her. At about 6months of age she changed from a passive bunny to attacking the otherfemale who was always the dominate one in the relationship.She also started spraying, I caged her until I could get her into thevet and she was spraying out over the lip of the cage. She isnow spayed and back to being her gentle passive self. I thinkspaying is well worth it...on another note is it as expensive in yourarea as it is here? It cost me $112 each to get my girlsspayed.:shock: Also they both improved immensely intheir litter training after being spayed, which was a real bonus!

 

[Pet_Bunny]

Spay $170.00 CAN

Neuter $111.30 CAN

 

[MyBunnyLovesMe]

I definitely don't have $222.60 to neuter my buns and $170 to spay my girl.... :shock:

 

[Spiced77]

i agree that sometimes, it's just a personaldecision. we got mr licks fixed because of princess - we didnot want babies. and in retrospect, he'd such a grump that ithink if he wasnt he'd be more agressive but ifthere were no spraying/agression problems, i might not have if he hadbeen an only bun. princess will go when we can sendher though, to prevent cancer. pet_bunny was aboutright on the prices where i am too.. very expensive

 

[Pipp]

I wrestled with this one for weeks!When Pipp (who is my first bunny) hit those teenage years, the sweetlittle litter-trained,gentle thing turned into a bunny fromhell.Still, I wasn't sure.

The first vet (recommended by someone who raised guineapigs)said she'd do it, but didn't recommendit.Shesaidit was notoriouslydifficult putting bunnies under, odds were high that he wouldn't makeit, and that neutering him -- she was the one who sexed the rabbit --wascrueland probably wouldn't calm himdown.

I wasn't reading similar thoughts on the net, so I opted for a secondopinion, and went to a bunny specialist. First off, hisassistantsaid they'donly lost one rabbit underanethetic in the three years she'd been there, out of "zillions", andit was old and sick. Then the vet looked at Pipp and said it REALLYwasn't a good idea to get him neutered, because PIPPWAS AGIRL! So much for the first vet. I shudder to thinkwhat would have happened had I left her there.

I made thedecision to go ahead withit in the endnot because of behaviour issues -- my love was unconditional-- but because the odds werein favour of an alteredbunnyliving longer.

I'm still getting twinges thatI'd like a whole litter ofPipps, but truthfully, she's a common dwarf,and the city isfull of pet shop and SPCA rabbits,accidental litters andother bunnies in need of rescue -- although I'm thinking she's notgoing to stand for that. Unfortunately, while her litterboxhabbits improved drastically overnight, she's still a very territoriallittle bunny (as my poor scarred catswell know).

The only thing I'd do differently is check into post op pain meds --she was really hurting that first day. (So was I!).

Sas

 

[Carolyn]

Madelon,

Wasn't suggesting you get into breeding without consulting and underthe guidance of showrabbits or a reputable breeder. I haven't, norwouldn't, advise anyone to breed any animal just because they're cuteand because they can. It was just a thought to have one litter, if youwere willing, under the watchful eye of showrabbits if you were toneuter him. I agree that breeding should be left to people that knowwhat they're doing or can learn from the best.

That said, I had no idea of Murphy's condition nor of your agreementwith showrabbits. Completely appreciate and honor showrabbits notwanting to risk the same problem in offspring by breeding Murphy.




* * * * * * *

Tina,

I did think of you. *laughs*

* * * * *

Cirrustwi,

Hope you have luck finding a 'beast'.

Tina and I just had this conversation last night on the phone how she'salready spoken to Apollo's breeder inquiring about the breedingschedule this spring.

It's going to be an interesting spring around here if the two of you find what you're looking for.


-Carolyn