Mini-Rex spay question

[Willow Lien]

Hi! We recently rescued what we were told was a 3-month-old mini-rex. I think she is a rex, but not sure about the mini part. Based on my experience raising my first girl bunny (she is a mixed breed meat rabbit) from 5 weeks old, I can make a few inferences. We have had the new baby over a month now.

1. The new baby is currently 2 pounds at supposedly 4 months old. This is smaller than my other doe was at the same age. My adult girl is 7lbs now at a year old and seems to be done growing.

2. The baby has not hit puberty yet nor has any pre-puberty signs (based on my older doe’s history).

3. The new baby is gaining about 3-4oz/week. My older doe gained 6-8oz/week for the first 4 months or so.

4. Based on my older doe, the new baby seems to be about a month younger than what we were told, so maybe just now at 3 months and not four.

The new baby was very sick for a couple weeks and did not gain weight during that time. Could this have stunted her growth?

Did anyone keep records like this for a mini-rex and could share?

My vet says that she needs to be 4 pounds before she can be spayed. If she really is a mini (it is looking that way) then she may never reach 4 pounds. Has anyone else encountered a weight restriction like this? 

[Kaninmor]

Not that I’m an expert, but it seems a little strange, since you don’t know how big the parents were. When We got Kattis she was super skinny, and weighed 600 grams and the vet wouldn’t operate to spay her. At 5 years old she weight 950 grams and they have scheduled the surgery..

[Wick & Fable]

I’ve heard mainly age minimums, not necessarily weight minimums, though I understand from a vet standpoint, it’s probably easier on a larger rabbit. If you rabbit doesn’t meet that vet’s minimum, is there somewhere else you can go?

Wick is a male, and neutering is a much less risky procedure (though both are minimal risk with an experienced rabbit vet), but he’s a Netherland Dwarf and a runt, so he was barely 1lb when he was operated on. He was back to normal by the day after operation. While spaying takes more recovery time I’ve heard, I don’t know that a weight minimum is standard. How would female Netherlands be spayed then? It may be your vet.

Also: Wick was treated from 3mo to 6mo for a pesky upper respiratory infection. He’s currently 8mo, and still small. He was already an established runt, so I can’t confirm the treatment didn’t stunt growth, but the only it would is if it stressed your rabbit out to the extent where hormone release was halted (doesn’t happen unless it’s severe cases if it works like humans) or your treatment dealt with hormones… At least that’s my thought based on my medical knowledge.

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.

[Willow Lien]

Thanks Kaninmore & Wick, that is good info.

I will wait until my baby is well into puberty and take her back for a check and ask about the spay weight again. My thoughts were about dwarf rabbits as well.

There are other rabbit vets further away. I can certainly check them out. I have been very happy with this clinic, they have saved the lives of two of my rabbits now. They are a bit pricey but most exotic vets are. But if they refuse to spay her at some point because of her weight, I will have to look elsewhere. I cannot NOT get her spayed.

One Butterscotch hits puberty I will have a better idea about her age.

[Willow Lien]

I contacted my vet about this issue and they are going to have a look at her at no charge to address my concern. They said her head size matters as well. Her head is VERY small though (must be her breed?) so I am not optimistic but we will see.

[Author]

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