Bonding older Buns – neutering necessary?

[Gary'sMom]

Hi all, I have a 7 year old female spayed rabbit who lost her bonded male partner a few months ago. A friend of mine has a 6 year old male who she wants to rehome and I would like to adopt him. He is a mini lop and very docile by nature. I told her I would only take him if she got him neutered.

However, at the initial vet visit today, the vet feels that he is too old to be neutered and that we should just try introducing them and see how it goes.

I disagree, since I’ve previously adopted 2 older male rabbits and had them each neutered around 5/6 years of age with no complications. Should I disregard the vet’s advice and insist he be neutered?

 

[Wick & Fable]

I agree that 7yo, and if in general good health, wouldn’t pose too much of an issue for a neuter? Especially because neuters are generally less invasive than, lets say a spay. My concern is mainly, if the vet themself is not comfortable with it, that adds in an additional risk. It may speak to their experience or comfort level with the procedure itself. I would feel more at ease with a vet who did not need to be convinced it would be a more safe procedure than they appraise.

All this being said, I personally have never had an older rabbit neutered, but those are my initial thoughts!

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[DanaNM]

Agree with Wick, unless he has a heart condition or something that looks worrisome in his blood work, it should be fine. Our vet neuters 8-9 year old grandpa bunnies no problem. But as Wick said, if your vet is uncomfortable with it, you might see if you can find a vet that feels more confident.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Bam]

And I agree too. Older buns can be neutered, unless the bun has a health condition that makes full anesthesia risky for him. But it’s super-important that you find a vet who is comfortable doing the procedure.

[Gary'sMom]

UPDATE: The original vet who examined him is not booking neuter appointments until July, and then we would have to wait a few weeks after the procedure to introduce the rabbits, right?  I called around to other vets, but they are all insisting that we start over and pay for the initial exam all over again if we want him neutered somewhere else.  I hate to delay everything so long (especially since my girl is older and has been lonely for several months already now).  I guess my options are either to wait until July/August to take him, or I can adopt him now without him being neutered and try introducing the buns and see how it goes?  Or is that a terrible idea?  What would’ve happened if he had a health problem and couldn’t be neutered? Would it be impossible to ever bond him with another bunny?

[DanaNM]

Although I have heard of cases of an unspayed female with a neutered male (it used to be rare to find a vet that would spay), I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a case of an unneutered male being successfully bonded long term unfortunately. They just tend to mount relentlessly and stress out the female (or they start fighting). July is honestly almost 1 month away at this point, I would just book that one and wait. I feel like it will come sooner than you think. You can have them as neighbors which will help with your girl’s loneliness, but I wouldn’t introduce them until he’s neutered. His smell and behavior will change a lot after neuter so there’s no real benefit (but is a risk of fighting which would set things back).

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[pinkiemarie]

Can you take him so he doesn’t end up in a less loving home or shelter but keep them at prebonding/neighbors for now? If you have enough space that might be a good option, although I do agree with the other people who suggested getting a second opinion from a vet who treats a lot of rabbits. Of course it’s frustrating to pay twice but if it’s an option you want him going to the vet with the most rabbit specific experience if at all possible.

[Author]

Messages