Should you always neuter/spay

[PEPPA GEORGIE]

My bunnies are still too young to be spayed i think but am waiting till i think they are old enough and also watching for those signs that they have reached “that age” but can anyone tell me if they have a house bunny that is not neutered/spayed and wether they are happy and not any trouble.

The vets pointed out that it is more risk to a female bunny to be spayed as op is bigger etc and i know bunnies are hard to operate on because they cant be sick and so aneasthetic is dangerous etc so makes me wonder whether or not to do it. I am sure they would be fine but really want to know if it is a necessity. So looking to hear from anyone with experience of not having their bunnies done and how they  behave etc.

My bunnies are now doing well with their litter training and only leaving occasional territoial poops which i hope will get a little less and am aware that spaying would help this..

[Miyuki]

Hello there, supposedly one of the biggest reasons to spay a female rabbit is the risk of uterine cancer. I haven’t got a percentage for you but it is supposed to be pretty high. Now here’s the part where people can yell at me. Inkblot was never spayed and I had been told that uterine cancer was a high possibility. I didn’t litter train her, she leaves some poops around but for the most part she chose to just use her cage. She seems happy enough. She does nip at feet and stuff for maybe if she had been spayed she wouldn’t do so much of that. I guess I haven’t got another rabbit to compare the behavior to.

[Beka27]

It is necessary to spay a female. They have an 80% risk of developing uterine cancer by the age of 3 if unspayed. Some of the other benefits for both males and females are: decreased aggression/territorial behavior, better litter habits, less “stinky bunny smell”, fewer destructive behaviors. Also, altered bunnies can have a friend, whereas two unaltered bunnies will fight and need to be kept separated.

[PEPPA GEORGIE]

Hello, thanks miyuki yes i have had house rabbit girls before and i only ever had the boys done. One lived untill she was 7 a really large brown bunny and she was good at using her litter tray, even though her friends werent lol.. i am really interested in peoples experiences in this area even though i prob will go ahead with the spaying i just wanted to hear about people who havent done it. I dont want to take risks either way is so hard x

[MooBunnay]

Your vet was right to point out that there is a risk, and the surgery is a bit tougher on females, however, I have all fixed bunnies and have discussed spaying and neutering with many other bunny owners, and everyone I know agrees that the spaying is worth the risk. I was also nervous before bringing in a girl to get spayed, but I did a lot of research on the post-op care and that helped me feel better that I would be prepared to take care of her as soon as I got home.

If you have any questions about what to do before and after the spaying just let us know. It is OK to be nervous, I think we all are before we take our little ones in, but you are doing a good thing for them.

[wendyzski]

Yes, there is always a risk with any surgery.

That said, some studies show unspayed females have as high as an 85% chance fo developing reproductive cancers by the age of 4. 

Buns are “designed” to grow up fast, have lots of babies, and then get eaten.  Nature doesn’t care if they are happy – they aren’t set up for the long-term.  Getting them speutered takes away a major source of stress and helps them live longer healthier lives.

[PEPPA GEORGIE]

Arr thanks for that, yes i have decided to go ahead, yes can you tell me all you know on the aftercare please so i am ready. Thanks again x I am nervous like you said but i think you are right it will benefit them lots so best to get it done, think i will be glad once it is done then i can concentrate on looking after them. x

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

It’s a hard decisioin the first time around-but there is always a risk and if you have a good vet, the risk is almost nill I’m glad you decided to forward. The aftercare if very simple-just rest them and give them the pain medication (Commonly metacam). To be extra-prepared it’s a good idea to have some ‘critical care’ on hand-in case they don’t want to eat you can just mix it up and syringe feed them to get them started. It’s really simple and easy to go through-the worst part is worrying while they are gone for the day-then getting back on their good side when they give you the ‘bunny butt’ for a few days after taking them to the vet

[PEPPA GEORGIE]

Arr that is great thanks for that i shall be prepared, want the bank holiday over now so i can arrange it and get the hard bit over. Hate waiting for things like that. Am a bit worried they will say that georgie is too young, but she shouldnt be so fingers crossed. thanks again. I was looking at the cages everyone has built on here and they look gorgeous. I only have a puppy pen and as i am home all day they run free in the living room.

[Beka27]

As far as having an unspayed female… we adopted our mini rex Meadow (the uppy-eared bun) when she was approx 4 months old. We knew we were going to spay, we were just waiting until she was old enough. Right about 5 1/2 or 6 months… she became a NIGHTMARE: Lunging, trying to bite, aggressive, very territorial. Her litter habits didn’t really get bad at that point, but in some buns they lose the good habits. We called the vet immediately for an appointment since we knew it was time, and she was spayed at about 7 months old. Almost overnight those bad behaviors decreased. Some buns will remain cranky for a month or two while the hormones dissipate, but in her case, it was immediate. Not all buns hit puberty as hard as she did… so you may or may not see the same behaviors in yours.

[Balefulregards]

I suffered through two months of an unspayed mature female. My poor arm was her love toy and she would not be put off – mounting me, biting me then falling off to do it all over again after a spray of love urine.

I worried terribly about her after the spay. She looked like she’d been through the wringer too. I got heavy Bunny Butt for several days.

She is SO much more pleasant now and healthier, as she isn’t having fertile cycles every two weeks. The other hormonal behavior calmed – and expect for some jealousy issues between her and my husband ( she will pee on his side of the bed if she feels displaced) she’s been a prefect girl.

[PEPPA GEORGIE]

Oh bless her she looks like such a lady in your profile pic, assuming that is her. It is really good to hear stories of how much happier owners and bunnies have been . Thanks x

[PEPPA GEORGIE]

Well i have them both booked in for thursday morning!!!!! Now i am nervous, but i know it is for the best, just keeping paws all crossed they be fine…. x

[Beka27]

They are going in for an initial exam with the vet, or for the surgery? They should be seen by the vet first before the surgery.

[PEPPA GEORGIE]

Both i think, they are admitted first thing and then checked and operated on later and they come home at tea time so long as all is well.. xxx

[BinkyBunny]

Oh wow…that was quick…well good for you. Keep us updated. I am sending out quick happy healing vibes for them and peace vibes for you!
Be sure to let us know if we can help with you with any post care questions. Females do tend to be a bit more miserable after but they should be at least nibbling on some food by the next morning after surgery. Hopefully the vet will send you home with some pain meds for her.

Here is a  link about pre and post care http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/…-post-care (you have to scroll down to ge to the post care)

[PEPPA GEORGIE]

Thanks for the vibes binky bunny have taken them in and am bit nervous but just cant wait for them to get home now xx

[Sage Cat]

((((((((((((((((((((((( Easy Surgery and quick recovery )))))))))))))))))))))))

[Beka27]

((((((((((((Healing vibes!))))))))))))

Keep us posted!

[PEPPA GEORGIE]

Hey they are home safe and cuddled up together bless them, i put a soft cat bed in for them and they are cuddling in it x They will obviously have to stay in the pen for a few days so they dont run about but they look happy to be home. Should i clean their wounds do you think or leave them alone, they have only inside stitches and glue on outside so they cant pick anything but dont want them to get dirty. xxx

[Beka27]

That’s great to hear! Leave the incisions alone. You will have to check them twice a day for a few days and then once a day for the next 2 weeks… but you shouldn’t have to touch them or clean them. It’s a good idea to leave them in the pen for at least 4 or 5 days, a week would be even better. Did you get pain meds for home?

[PEPPA GEORGIE]

No they dont provide and pain relief but i have to go back in 2-3 days for check up xx Thanks for all the lovely thoughts and vibes xx

[bunnytowne]

Well a lop I had HB  had perfect litterbox habits and no aggression issues.  She was such a doll…

Ruby I don’t know I had her done at 6 months and she never displayed any bad behavior. Her litterbox habits became a lot better.  Perfect. actually.

Laith he saw himself in the mirror and sprayed at 7 months and I knew was time so He went in a week later for his little boy surgery.  The spraying stopped immediately.  OH he was a busy little sprayer too. The walls the closet etc etc….

cotton never had a problem with him He was  neutered when I got him.  Well only problem I would have is marking due to anothe bunny.

He quit marking after unspayed HB found a really good home.  3 days later no more poo and pee at the edge of the territories.

Even though Ruby is pedigreed I spayed her for I dont’ want her getting cancer from not being spayed.  She looks to angora like to breed anyway.

[PEPPA GEORGIE]

Well have left them resting for today and just put treats, and food in and given them some strokes and checked them twice all seems well. Feel a bit guilty that i am not have much petting time, but they want to run round if i get them out and want them to rest. They have mainly just laid down so obviously need the rest. Bless them, they have appointment monday to check them and hopefully then all will be well xx

[Beka27]

That sounds great! I know, it’s hard to keep them cooped up when you want to let them out to play, but this is best for them right now. Don’t worry, just a couple more days!

[PEPPA GEORGIE]

Thanks, yes they seem really bright and let them stretch their legs today but they went round then lay down so that good, then i put them away. They look a little scrawny compared to how they were but all seems well. xx

[Stinky]

I’ve had 6 unaltered females who have all lived long healthy lives, and died peacefully of old age. One until nine years old, and one to almost eight years old. I’ve also had an unaltered male who lived to be four years old, but died of heat stroke. They were just fine being intact, and two or three intact females CAN live together, provided enough space. I’m considering spaying my current rabbit, but she is particularly fiesty (the reason for the spay) and I doubt it will change much.

 

Good luck!

Leah

[felmotes]

Posted By Stinky on 04/22/2009 06:38 PM

I’ve had 6 unaltered females who have all lived long healthy lives, and died peacefully of old age. One until nine years old, and one to almost eight years old. I’ve also had an unaltered male who lived to be four years old, but died of heat stroke. They were just fine being intact, and two or three intact females CAN live together, provided enough space. I’m considering spaying my current rabbit, but she is particularly fiesty (the reason for the spay) and I doubt it will change much.

 

Good luck!

Leah

you must be the exception to the rule then. every rabbit-savvy person i’ve talked to said i must spay both my buns or there’s a SUBSTANTIAL risk of cancer. i think most people aren’t willing to take such a gamble to save a few hundred dollars. i know i’m not.

i also hope the spay will help with the litterbox habbits. they’ve become perfectly awful since they matured! it’s like a regular daily poo/pee war.

but alas, i can’t get them in until mid-May. it’s clean/clean/clean up accidents until then!

[Beka27]

Stinky, that’s great that your buns lived long, happy lives! That’s definitely great to hear! I only know one person who had an unspayed female who lived a long life. That is Babybunsmum’s Baby Bun, who just recently passed away at about 9 years old. Her rabbit did encounter some health issues. She got mammary cancer at about 7 years old, but she came thru the surgery well and went on to live a couple more years. Babybunsmum has said on many occasions that if she could do it over again, she would have gotten Baby spayed when she was young, but it was not something she was aware of at the time. I think in many of these cases, the bun passes away at 3 or 4 or 5 years old and no one realizes why. They can hide illness very well, so it might be too late by the time you realize what is going on. Another member (Quantum), her bunny was just diagnosed with cancer and it is too widespread to operate. She was a recent rescue so it was not her decision to not spay.

If you have any questions about spaying, the process or pre/post-op care, please don’t hesitate to ask.

[Author]

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