Spaying or neutering?

[MaddieRabbits]

So I currently have my one non-neutered male rabbit and I really would like to get him living with a partner as he just seemed so much happier when he had a friend. He has previously lived happily with another non-neutered male, however I understand this is rarely the case and I don’t feel that its worth risking this as he did have a true bond with his last friend so I’ve thought about buying a female rabbit this time round. However, I tend to stray away from females because I tend to keep Netherlands and I’ve generally found that female dwarves are quite feisty! I’ve been given a lot of advice about spaying females in order to reduce their chance of cancer as well as to sort their hormones. I was just wondering what everyone thought in terms of spaying and neutering though as I know there are so many people that keep males and females together, would most people rather have a male neutered, a female spayed or just both? I’ve been wondering this as a male procedure is obviously cheaper and less invasive, however I feel the benefits towards spaying a female are a lot more important. I think personally, I will buy a younger female and have her spayed as soon as shes matured as it seems to be what everyone recommends but I’m just interested to hear everyone elses opinions as the thought of the actual procedure being done on such a tiny bunny really bothers me!

[Sirius&Luna]

Really, you shouldn’t keep unneutered/unspayed bunnies together. The best bond is between two neutered and spayed bunnies. Obviously, there are exceptions, but it’s easier and safer if they’re both done.

I don’t know how big your nethie is, but I’ve had an 900 gram bunny neutered with no problems It really is about the expertise of the vet.

[Wick & Fable]

Wick was neutered at 932g and also had no issues. As S&L mentions, the experience of the vet is as important as the rabbit’s overall health for a spay/neuter.

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.

[MaddieRabbits]

Oh I see! So you’d actually recommend having them both done? I haven’t really considered that as Apollo has always been such a laid back, easy bunny and seems to go well with whoever he lives with, would you have them both done for hormonal reasons? I am worried actually in terms of the vet as there are soo many vets near me but I just don’t know if any of them are extremely bothered about rabbits. I previously did my work experience at a local vets and loved every second of it and I can say that the procedures I saw being done were handled very well and the animals always recovered, however when my dogs when to get stitches or be spayed a couple of times there were incidents where the stitches undid. I do know this can be a freak accident, especially with my whippets as they’re so energetic, however my mum is reluctant to use them as she believes they might cut corners. I just see spaying any female animal as a much more invasive, possibly even dangerous procedure than a males one and I really don’t want to mess up by going to the wrong vet as all the vets near me will deal with rabbits but I don’t know which is the best!

[sarahthegemini]

If you’re getting a female, she needs spaying regardless of whether she’ll be bonded so not spaying her is not an option. For the safest bond, both rabbits need to be spayed and neutered so your boy needs doing too. You need a rabbit savvy vet – not an ‘ordinary’ cat/dog vet. A skilled and experienced vet will spay and neuter with very little issues.

[MaddieRabbits]

I am indeed intending on getting a female as my current rabbit is a male and I will definitely have her spayed as I had a lot of trouble with my last female when she hit maturity and she was never spayed. I think once I’ve had her done and she’s recovered I’ll have Apollo done, or even have him done in the time that I’m waiting for the female to reach maturity as she is currently only 11 weeks old. I’ve done a bit of research and was able to find myself a silver award rabbit savvy vet using the Rabbit Welfare Association which has put my mind at rest, and when checking their Facebook I noticed they have a large variety of smaller animals in, mainly rabbits so they are definitely experienced. I’m going to call them tomorrow to find out the cost of vaccinations as well as neutering and the minimum age they require the rabbit to be as I know many vets won’t do it as soon as they reach sexual maturity.

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