First vet visit/ neutering/spaying questions.

[Kirsty]

Hello everyone!

I got a baby Holland lop bunny in April and from what the pet store told me, most of the bunnies they sell are around six weeks of age. I believe he is around three and a half months old based on that.

The last time I had bunnies I was a kid and kept them outside. My dad set up an area on the side of the house for them to live. Even though I’ve had them before, I still consider myself a newbie since I was so young then.

This is the first time I’m keeping an indoor rabbit and also the first time I am planning on taking one to the vet for a checkup and to get him neutered (or spayed if he happened to be a female). From what I’ve read, neutering and spaying rabbits is healthy for them just as it is a cat or dog.

The rabbit book I have says they start maturing around four months of age and it is a good time to get them fixed.

There is a full grown Holland lop bunny living at the pet store I got mine. My bunny, Sawyer, is about half the size of the one at the store, so I know he is nowhere near full grown yet.

I have a few questions about this. I contacted a vet nearby that specializes in rabbits. The e-mail I received from the vet said “Please call and make apt. for exam to determine health and sex. We will be able to provide an estimate for surgery at that time.”

I want to save money and of course reduce the amount of stressful vet visits for him. 

He has started behaviors I believe show he is beginning to mature, like running around me in circles and grunting. Do you think I should make an appointment for him now? Or do you think I should wait until he is closer to the size of the one at the store? Is four months of age really a good time?

When I take him I know he will be very scared. What can I do to help him stay calm?

Thank you for any help.

[LBJ10]

If he’s almost 4 months, then you are fine having his neutered now. For girls, they generally recommend waiting until they are 6 months.

[JackRabbit]

All of mine were spayed/neutered at @ 4 months. Most vets do require a health exam prior to neuter/spay since the bunny will be under anesthesia during the surgery. Also helps to confirm sex — a number of folks have been surprised to find out their bun isn’t the sex they thought! Best to let the vet check things over and make sure bun is healthy!

[BunnyBrigade]

Most of the time, if you have a good vet, they can be very helpful in determine when is the best time to get him fixed. For instance, when I got Skipper her blood work came up funky. The vet wanted to wait till her blood work looked better before they fixed her. So that’s what I mean by helping to determine.

As for the vet visit. All my buns have their own personal blankie and stuffie. I bring the blankie and stuffie with them along with their “lunch box” just in case they get hungry or thirsty. I do this because my vet is an hour and a half away. If it’s closer than that for you I don’t see the need for the “lunch box”. When it gets real hot over here, I do pack a water bottle for them for the car just in case.

[Roberta]

Mine always have a snack pack filled with pellets in one container and salad in another so they have goodies to eat before and after surgery… Their favourite blankie in their carrier and a handful of fresh hay…

[Kirsty]

Thank you all for the great advice!!

I will make an appointment for him soon.

[LongEaredLions]

I have no more advice, but Sawyer is adorable. Sending (((((safe neuter vibes)))))

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