Spaying?

[Oliver The Bunny!]

I recently lost my little bunny Oliver, he is my whole heart and I was having a hard time without him. I went to the county fair with my horse and saw a baby bunny for sale in the rabbit barn. The mom was also being retired and needed a home. I decided to take them home as a pair. The baby is 6 weeks (I took her early since they were staying together) and the mom is 2 and 1/2. I’m trying to decide whether or not to spay both of them. I’m planning on spaying the baby, but the previous owners said the litter the mom just had was hard on her. I don’t want to put her under all that stress when her body has already been through so much. On another note, they also told me she’s really sweet but since I’ve had her she’s been biting me and lunging at me. It surprised me because she used to be a show rabbit and was used to people touching her. She even lunged at me when I tried to get her water bowl to refill it. Should I try getting her out and holding her, I didn’t want to push her too much. It’s just making me miss my little bunny who just passed. I’m going to text the people I got her from and see if this is normal for her, if it’s not and it keeps up then I’m going to assume she’s not happy with me and ask them if they would like her back. Also, she lives in a large hutch in my room and gets out from 10 am to 7 pm in a playpen connected to the hutch (she used to live in a small wire bottom cage). She has plenty of toys and constant hay. Sorry this post is such a mess and thank you for helping!

[Bam]

I’m sorry you lost your Oliver.

The bun mom might feel protective about her kit. She could still be feeding it, even though the baby is probably also quite a bit on its own. She’s still dealing with some mom-hormones and she’s in a new environment that probably doesn’t resemble her old home. If she is eating and otherwise seems healthy, I think maybe you just need to give her some time to settle in? Try to not handle her more than you absolutely have to, give her places to hide (upside-down cardboard box with 2 door holes). She’s most likely not unhappy with you at all, it’s just that moving to a new place is stressful, she has a baby and as you said, her body is already stressed from her  having been pregnant, she’s probably had more than one pregnancy.

As for spaying her, it is the best thing you can do for her longterm health. It doesnt have to be done asap though. You can let her recuperate and regain her strenght.

[Oliver The Bunny!]

She is doing so much better now. I think I was just a little overwhelmed and stressed. I am definitely glad I got her, and I can take care of her very well. But, I think I was so upset because I’m still grieving Ollie. He was very out going and social and her biting me made me realize how much I missed him. She lets me hold her now, and she zoomies and binkies all around my room. She loves hide houses too! The baby bunny is doing well too. She is the laziest bunny I’ve ever met, all she does is nap. I decided to name the baby Judy, and the mom came with the name Gretel.

[Bam]

Zoomies and binkies and she lets you hold her 🥰 Wonderful news!

Baby animals can sleep a lot, as long as she’s eating and pooping and peeing like she should, it doesn’t seem worrisome. The mum having settled in must make the baby feel very safe and secure!

 

[Wick & Fable]

My recommendation is to have both spayed– this is not only crucial for longevity and for their individual behaviors, but also because regardless if they are related or not, a pair of rabbits where at least one is intact (i.e., not spayed/neutered) significantly increases the likelihood that they will not have a stable, long-term bond. Young rabbits will get along with most other rabbits due to lack of hormones; however, this changes when they begin developing hormones and will have the territorial/mating/dominance urges that causes rabbits to fight (again, regardless if they are related, raised together, etc…. rabbits do not acknowledge family units or “childhood friends”). It is called the baby bond phenomena. If you intend to keep both rabbits, both should be spayed to increase the chance they’ll have a stable, adult bond when both are grown.

There will likely come a time when you need to house both separately for their safety, as the baby will not be able to be spayed until 5-6mo old. 2.5yo is not an old rabbit by any means, so unless there’s something else going on, post-recovery from her most recent litter, she should be fine for a spay. Consult with your rabbit-savvy exotic vet to ensure all rabbits are healthy enough for a spay.

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.

[Author]

Messages