I feel sorry for my bun

[LizziAnn]

I posted a few days ago explaining how I brought home my new bun and that he was 5 months old, spraying and humping. A lot of you said that these will stop once he is fixed. However, my vet said because he is a mini lop and very small he won’t operate on him until he is 6 months old at the end of September.

Due to his constant spraying, I can’t let him out of his cage which is a puppy pen attached to a dog crate. I wanted to ask if this is ok? I haven’t had him out for play time apart from once when he sprayed all over my bed . I feel so guilty that he can’t play and explore. Is this just how it has to be for now?

I know it is a long shot that there will be a solution but any suggestions would be great.

Thanks.

 

[JackRabbit]

Never heard of the 6 month thing unless he is extremely tiny. Both of our vets will neuter males as soon as their testicles drop. With females, they want them to be at least 4 months old and 2 lbs min. My male (Holland Lop) was 3 months and 3 weeks old when he was neutered — done within one week of the first time he sprayed. I guess each vet has to do what he/she is comfortable with.

Afraid all you can do is clean up after him until he’s neutered and the spraying stops. Do you have a hallway you could take him out to play in that would be easier to clean?

[Silverpaws]

have you got a tiled bathroom? Thats what one bun mom did, he can spray all he wants and it wont soak into anyting. Use the bathroom as play zone for a while. Try getting a second opinion on the neutering though.

[JackRabbit]

I never think of the bathroom that way — in our house the bathroom is reserved as neutral bonding territory! That’s a really good idea Silverpaws!

[Deleted User]

My boy is a mini lop too LizziAnn and he was neutered when he was around 5/6 months old weighing 2 kilo’s. My boy was a sprayer too – until this time I never thought about getting him neutered, but once I realised this could be the solution I had him booked in quick smart! And I have never looked back – bloody brilliant!!! Stupidly, we still let Henry in our room and tolerated his spraying till his op – our walls, furniture, the dog’s were already covered in bunny pee, so except for us and our bedding it didn’t make much difference (and for as gross as that sounds, I promise you I am a clean person, he he hehe). So when he went to the vets, I didn’t worry about him once! I was kept busy scrubbing and cleaning everything in my bedroom (including my dog’s, ha ha ha!) and when he came home everything was clean and fresh again – just wonderful!

In the meantime, I 3rd Silverpaws suggestion – fantastic idea! Cheers.

[LizziAnn]

The vet said his testicles have dropped and he could tell he was boy straight away. I thought it was 4 months also but my vet said no, I did try to plead but he put his foot down. He is normal size/ weight for his age.
I might try lots and lots of towels, see if that works in a hall way of something. Thank you.

[LizziAnn]

My bathroom is my bonding space also and the kitchen is about the same size as his pen but has spaces where he could go behind the washing machine and cupboards. sigh. Only 25 days till he is 6 months.
AndHenry, I wish it didn’t bother me as much but I worry about the other rabbits being able to smell him as well.
Although, this morning I have changed all of his liners and fleece and he has yet to spray/pee on them, it is usually the first thing he does so this is looking good. If this good behaviour continues he might venture onto the bed again (I am sure I will regret it mind!).

Thanks for all the good suggestions guys

[Author]

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