Help! need tips on spaying advise things

[Bun-Bun]

1. about how much does it normally cost

2. what can my bunny be exposed to if i cant [ive heard types of cancer but which ones]

3. how would she be different

4. will she still be affectionate to me

5. sometimes she will get mad and try to claw and nip at me… will this stop?

6. what questions should i ask the vet before i go into the process

7. would she be fine if i didnt get it?

8. how do i know if the vet is lying to me just so that i buy the procedure

9. how dangerouse is it when the bunny is in process

10. about how long does it take for to happen, then become their normal self again… if they stay the same

Sorry for asking so many questions but i really want to make sure its safect for my bunny. =)

 

[LittlePuffyTail]

I can try to answer some of your q’s:

– In my area it costs about $120.00 for a bunny spay but this may be way different where you live.
– Reproductive organ cancers
– When I spayed my female lop she became less aggressive
– One Q you can ask the vet is “should bunnies fast before surgery” (they should eat as normal as bunnies do not vomit).
-I believe there is a list of Q’s on the House Rabbit Society website that lists questions you should ask to find a good rabbit vet
-It’s a day surgery. I was able to pick up my spayed bunny at suppertime.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Hehe No problem bunbun-that’s why are all here! Advise and sharing our bunnies!!

1) About 200-300 is average I think….

2) Ovarian cancer is REALLY common if they are not spayed…85% can get cancer by age three…If fixed and well cared for your bunny can live 8-15 years, depending on the breed!

3) She will be calmer, happier and less territorial. She will likely pee and poo less to mark and have better litter habbits.

4) It depends on the bunny. Lots of love and care will usually make your bunny trust you-it does take a while to earn bunny trust-they are not like dogs/cats in that respect! She is more likely to be affectionate towards you after being fixed as she won’t be as territorial or hormonal!

5) It depends on how she is nipping you…Is she drawing blood? Rabbits nip affectionately, she might just be ‘cleaning you’…Tell us more about how this happens and we can help you interpret it better!

6) You should ask if the vet sees lots of rabbits/has lots of experience with doing spay/neuter procedures with rabbits. I asked a few ‘trick’ questions…a) do you fast the rabbit before surgery…Rabbits should never be fasted. if they say yes, eliiminate the vet. b) What types of antibiotics do you use. They should name specific ones (then I googled the names to ensure they are correct meds for bunnie), and the vet should say something along the lines of that they don’t normally do antibiotics, only if needed; and they should discuss pain meds with you. c) is their a pre-spay/neuter check up? they definitely should be doing this, AND running bloodwork…If they answer these questions correctly, they are probably a decent vet to go to!

7) She might be fine, but chances are she could get ovarian cancer or other types of cancer….

8) This I do not know…Maybe go with your gut feeling..It’s usually right!

9) It’s a little risky..Having the bloodwork done upfront can reduce the risk as they screen for pre-existing liver/kidney problems…Then the most important part is getting them eating again and letting the wound heal.

10) Usually horomones die down within a month or so. Interestingly rabbits can be fertile for up to a month after their surgery!!

[JK]

Aside from all the reasons above, the number one reason to spay is so that she can’t reproduce and bring more unwanted bunnies into the world.  The rescues and shelters are bulging with unwanted animals that they can’t place in good homes so unless there is a very good reason it is irresponsible to not spay especially since you have a young rabbit.  If cost is an issue some of the shelters may offer discount spaying and neutering.  Good luck.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

^^^ Super Point!!

[Beka27]

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/spay-neuter.html

this is the link to the HRS page on spaying and neutering.  it answers all of your questions very thoroughly.

i’ve never heard of anyone saying, "gee… i wish i had not spayed or neutered my rabbit." 

i have heard people lament the fact they did not have it done.  BabyBunsMum is an example of that.  she never had her rabbit spayed b/c the vet told her it was not necessary, and she’s been very upfront in that she regrets that decision.

this is something you need to think about very carefully.  your rabbit is fully dependent on you for her health and well-being.  this goes much farther than the expense or distrust of vets.  this is about responsibility towards the animal you chose to be your friend and companion.

if it makes you feel better, interview a few different vets.  get price quotes and see who you feel more comfortable with.  i can guess that they are all going to tell you that spaying is a neccessity.  if they say it is not necessary, they are not the right vet.

good luck.

 

[xnovalentine]

you’ve got the best advice already! i just wanted to add to the discussion on how much it may cost for the spay — where I live it was $260…another place in the area quoted me at nearly $350. although it was ridiciously expensive — the outcome was worth it. I still have some problems with her, but i think its just because shes young and bratty. definently consider the benefits of spaying — her personality didint change one bit. It only changed when she hit puberty and she got mean and cranky then afterwards she was miss cuddly like she was before the hormones took over. Good luck!!!

[Cadbury]

You’ve already gotten some great advice, but to add my 2 cents:

1. My vet charged $95 for the spay itself – with bloodwork, it came to $140.

2. Your bunny is almost guaranteed to get uterine cancer if not spayed – there is an 85% chance – too much to risk it!

3. Cadbury’s personality was the same, but she was less frantic about digging and chewing on things she shouldn’t.

4. Yes, I think she will still be affectionate – Cadbury’s personality did not change.

5. The clawing and nipping could stop with the spay – but if your bun is young this is typical behavior and may last until she grows up a bit.

6. You’ve already gotten great info on this – ask the vet if you should fast the bunny (no), what types of antiobiotics/pain meds he uses, how many rabbits he spays, etc (my vet was the “vet of choice” of numerous bunny rescues around here, so I felt very safe using him).

Also, if your vet also sees dogs/cats, I would ask if he has a separate bunny recovery room – it can be stressful for the buns to listen to a lot of barking either before or after surgery.

7. She could be ok if you didn’t get her spayed – but the way I looked at it was that Cadbury had a chance at a much longer life if I got her spayed.

8. I would gauge this on how he answers your questions.

9. My vet uses a heart monitor to constantly make sure all is ok. I would also highly recommend getting pre-op bloodwork done to rule out any preexisting conditions.

10. Cadbury stayed at the vet overnight because we live about an hour from the vet. SHe was a little quiet for 2-3 days, then was back to normal. Her appetite remained good, which is the important thing.

Overall, I think you should get your bun spayed – she’ll have a much healthier life. Good luck with whatever you choose!

[Lisa_43]

Great advice from all.

Nothing more to say except it is a very improtant thing to do with all animals.

[Bun-Bun]

Thank you all so much! Its really helpful! I wasnt even sure if i was gonna get her spayed because i wasnt going to let her mate but… im glad i looked it up! Who knew so much could possibly go wrong! Thanks again!

[Ali]

hi,
gidget/holland lop/male started spraying about 2 weeks ago. i read everything online and made the appt with only vet listed in this area on house rabbit and rabbits magazine. i am alittle scaried since he is only 4.5 months old and small. but with all i read, i feel comfortable with it.
i do hope it stops the spraying! he is wonderful and has really bonded with us and the “big gold bunny”aka very large, lazy gold dog.
thanks again for the info!

[Scarlet_Rose]

Hi Bunbun! You’ve gotten some great input already so I thought I would just provide you with a few discussion we’ve had based on this very subject (it’s nice to have testimonials). This is from our FAQ section:

Spay/Neuter Questions – Finding the right vet, pre & post op expectations

https://binkybunny.com/Default.aspx?tabid=54&view=topic&postid=13556&forumid=6&tpage=2#13954

First-hand advice & assurance: https://binkybunny.com/Default.aspx?tabid=54&forumid=2&tpage=1&view=topic&postid=17164#20010

 Why to Spay or Neuter your pet:

https://binkybunny.com/Default.aspx?tabid=54&forumid=2&tpage=1&view=topic&postid=22168#22239

By all means if you have any more questions just ask!

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