Rabbits lionheads and underweight?

[Chloe]

Hi so I took my 7 month old lionhead bucks to the vet on the 5th of December 2016 for their neuter operation but I was told that it would be risky as they like them to be kg before they operate on them, so I didn’t want to go through with it.

Smidge was 700g! Isn’t that classified as underweight for a lionhead, especially as he’s supposed to be fully grown? I can actually feel his spine, ribs and hip!

I’ve never had to deal with weight problems in past rabbits before but I’m feeding them both 40g of pellets each daily, veggies every day now including apple and carrots once a week and obviously the still have their unlimited supply of hay and water at their disposal at all times.

Smudge is about 900g so he is bigger than Smidge. There is no fighting over food as they have 2 of everything and I have always watched them when eating so there’s nothing going on there.

They’re booked in for their neuter now on the 30th January 2017 so they need to gain weight by then! They’re supposed to weigh around 1.3kg!

I am also going to attach a picture so you guys can identify whether they’re full lionhead or possibly crossed with a netherland dwarf?

Thank you in advance!

[Chloe]

Sorry it won’t allow me to upload picture

[Mikey]

Thats about 1.5lbs. Your vet should not have trouble operating on a bun that weight. And according to google, they are within healthy range for their weight (1.3lbs to 3lbs / 590 grams to 1370 grams). Are you sure the vet you have picked out is certified to work on rabbits?

[Chloe]

Hi yes definitely! The surgeon to operate solely operates and deals with rabbits and there were several bunny owners in the vets at the time – so I’m not exactly sure why they couldn’t? But she said ideally they prefer to operate on rabbits 1kg and above unless a netherland dwarf due to not being able to fit the breathing pipe down their throat or something? But she said it was entirely my choice, and I didn’t want to risk it began recently my doe passed away during a spay operation

[Mikey]

To work on rabbits, they should have the correct surgical tools there to work on all sizes of rabbits. I personally would look into other vets around that can do it instead, but thats completely up to you. Your vet should have no trouble working on a smaller bun, specially if theyve worked on buns before. Is this the same vet who did the spay for your female?

[Chloe]

I’ve just looked it up and it says “a small rabbit with a fully grown weight of usually between 2.5 and 3.5 lbs (1.13 -1.59 kg) and not exceeding 3 3/4lbs (1.70 kg)

Ideal fully grown weight 3.5 lbs (1.59 kg)” so Smidge at least is definitely underweight

[Chloe]

I’ve just looked it up and it says “a small rabbit with a fully grown weight of usually between 2.5 and 3.5 lbs (1.13 -1.59 kg) and not exceeding 3 3/4lbs (1.70 kg)

Ideal fully grown weight 3.5 lbs (1.59 kg)” so Smidge at least is definitely underweight

[Chloe]

No I would never take them to that vet again I assure you this veterinary practice is well trained in rabbit care, and I understand why they couldn’t operate – and they did give me a choice.

[Chloe]

I asked them many questions beforehand and they even offered me options to do their bloods before their op to see if they need a different anaesthetic, and if I wanted them to give them fluids during the op too

[Mikey]

After a quick search again, dfferent websites are saying different things for lionhead weight. It will depend a lot if they are mixed breeds or not. Getting your buns to double their weight in a month can be harmful to their health. I would try to get them to add about 200g+ to their weight instead as itll be a slow increase that shouldnt impact their health at all. You can help a bun gain weight by giving them more pellets than normal

It is worth looking into the fact that they dont have the correct tools to work on all rabbits, in my opinion. If your bunnies stay small, they would still need a breathing tube for surgery and this vet cannot provide that

[Author]

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