How to age a bunny?

[chips]

So I got Chips about 3 months ago, and the pet shop didn’t know how old she was. (or they did, but they didn’t speak much English and their was so much information to listen to I might have missed it! ). Is there anyway to tell how old she is?

The pet shop said she is a mini usagi (usagi is japanese for rabbit) but I don’t know if this is the breed or what?

I don’t know when I should be booking her in to get spayed, how late is too late? and what should I do seeing as I don’t know how old she is?! Will I be able to tell from behaviour or size or something?

L and Chips xx

 

[Monkeybun]

Never heard of a breed called a Mini usagi, so they are probably clueless.

Have you taken her to a vet at all? Made sure she is really a she? Girls can get spayed at 6 months-ish, boys at 4-5 months if their bits drop.

[LoveChaCha]

Mini Usagi isn’t a breed – (it means mini rabbit) but I’m thinking you have a Netherland Dwarf if they put it that way.

I believe there might be some vet places in Japan that have English speaking vets.. not sure ><

[jerseygirl]

Are you confident Chips is a female? I think if you take her to a good rabbit vet, they will be able to confirm the sex and give you an estimate on her age. They can sort of tell from looking at the teeth and judging from the weight if she’s a local breed. A vet familiar with rabbits there may be able to give you more of an idea.

I think you can safely say she’s about 4 months if you’ve already had her for 3. Ideally the pet store should have them at 8weeks (2 months) of age but often they are younger. So if the vets there spay at 6 months, in 2 months she should be ok to go ahead for a spay. Some will spay earlier if they’re experienced. The smaller breeds can be done 4-6 months, with larger breeds it’s better to spay later then that.  

I only know the actual birthdate of one of my rabbits because his former owners purchased him from a breeder. The others we;ve all had to estimate. With the boys I’ve gotten an idea from when their testicles appeared. This happens around 10-12 weeks on average. With the females it is harder. I think it’s a good idea to record their weight regularly because when they reach their adult weight you can sort of work backwards to estimate their age.

I’m guessing the pet shops use of the word “mini” is akin to the term “dwarf” that is widely used in pet shops. Rabbits are termed dwarf so buyers are under impression they will remain small. Also, they are small when they’re there because they are young. Too young most times.  There are dwarf versions of many breeds but the term is used loosely in pet stores it seems.

 

[chips]

Thanks for the tips.
Yeah I figured that mini usagi wasn’t the breed, but they couldn’t tell me what breed that was or what it is in English.

I’m pretty confident Chips is a girlie, the problem with it confirmed and spayed is taking her to the vets will be difficult. There are vets in Japan who speak English, I’m sure, but only in cities and I live in a small village where I am not even sure I can find one who can deal with rabbits. I am waiting for a friend to help me translate.

I’m gunna have to wait for translation and perhaps then go to a city or something to get her done. My main worry is waiting to long, by the time I get the translation done then book an appointment etc and this may take a few months.
Is getting her spayed between 5-10 months old too late?

[Beka27]

It’s really never too late to spay as long as the rabbit is healthy. The cancer risk increases significantly after 2 years of age tho, so you want it done before that. If you can get her spayed by 1 year old, that will be good. Hopefully she behaves herself in the meantime. ;o)

[BinkyBunny]

 I don’t know exactly where you are located so these vet suggestions may not work but it’s worth a try: 

 

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_t…forum_id=9

 

http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/Vet_Japan.html

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