UN-expected addition to our family

[Toki+Pumpkin+Elmo]

Well..  When I adopted my rabbits, I was told that they are both fixed and both females.  But it turns out that they are NOT fixed and Toki is a MALE.  I caught Toki in action while "HE" was doing his moves on Pumpkin.  I was so shocked!! I picked "HIM" up immiediately and when I flipped him over, I saw you-know-what.

It all makes sense now. That’s why Pumpkin has been acting aggressive. I’m thinking that she’s pregnant already.  I don’t know the exact date that she got pregnant though. 

Well… I guess I’ll be having babies soon~

[Floppy]

uh oh…well if you need more info…not sure if you know but theres a section
in the links area about unexpected pregnancies…goodluck, kinda sucks the place
where you adopted them didn’t know that Toki was a boy! weird.

[Gravehearted]

Very often rabbits are mis-sexed. Some vets are willing and able to perform spays on pregnant rabbits, but it is necessary to get it done immediately. Aggression may be due to pregnancy, but it also may be due to her hormones since she’s reached sexual maturity. Please get into a rabbit savvy vet right away – you may also look into the low cost spay program right in palo alto

http://www.city.palo-alto.ca.us/living/news/details.asp

 

[Sarita]

Any reputable rabbit rescue will always have them spayed and neutered before adoption – I so sorry you were misled. I would get her to a rabbit savvy vet ASAP and have her spayed – you may be able to avoid having the babies if she is not too far along. Don’t wait, find a vet today to get her spayed.

[Scarlet_Rose]

You may want to contact the place where you got them and maybe they will pay for both of the fixings they said that they had (you get to pick the vet). Mis-sexing is very common and so I recommend a trip to the vet with them in separate quarters just to be sure. I am so sorry to hear about this and truly hope that Pumpkin is not pregnant.

[MooBunnay]

oh no! I’m so sorry that your bunnies were mis-sexed!

BTW – are you sure that Toki isn’t fixed? I’m not entirely sure of the workings of neutering, but I do know you can still see their you-know-what when they have mounted a female, even if they ARE fixed, so perhaps he is fixed after all. The aggression from Pumpkin may just be that she is tired of being mounted, and you may have to separate them for a bit and re-introduce/re-bond them while Toki calms down.

You could take them to a vets office to see if they are spayed/fixed for sure. How did you know that Pumpkin is not spayed? Did you check for a spay scar? That is a good way to tell for females, though the scar can get hidden by all of their fur.

[Toki+Pumpkin+Elmo]

I got them from a lady that rescues bunnies. She was listed on rabbit.org so I thought she’s legit. She hasn’t returned my phone calls or emails yet.
I took them both to the vet today and yes, Pumpkin is pregnant. They both are not fixed. I’m trying to talk my boyfriend into keeping all the baby bunnies we’ll get. We’ll see how well it goes.

And thank you Graveheart for the site. That’ll save me lots money. As far as differences in spaying and neautering, which one is better? Which one should I do?

[Hedi]

To "fix" a female the procedure is called Spaying. To "fix" a male the procedure is called Neutering. You definitely will need to get both buns done because this will calm them down greatly. And you would need to keep them separated for over a month to allow each bun to heal from surgery and avoid another pregnancy. Male buns are still fertile for even 2 wks after surgery so if your female bun isnt fixed and he gets at her again then you will have more babies.

Female spays are usually higher than neutering for the males. You can check with your local HRS to find a bunny savvy vet to complete the operations. Some Humane Societies do them at a discount but you must make sure they are rabbit savvy.

What a few mentioned was that some vets will go ahead and do a female spay and abort the babies at the same time. Of course this can be an issue depending on how you personally look at the situation. Just make sure you educate yourself and make a decision that makes you comfortable.

 

I hope this helps!

[osprey]

Keep in mind that the boy and girl babies will have to be separated at about 2 to 3 months of age, and the boy babies may start to fight until they are fixed.  I am so sorry that you got into this predicament.  Gravehearted and I volunteer for a local rabbit rescue called The Rabbit Haven.  If you need any advice regarding the babies, you can contact Heather Bechtel, our director, at director@therabbithaven.org

Can you tell us where you adopted these bunnies?

 

[BinkyBunny]

Wow, what a nightmare. You have received excellent advice. I would also not be happy with the group that misled you. The right thing for them to do would be to help you out!

[Toki+Pumpkin+Elmo]

I just checked rabbit.org because I was going to notify them of this matter, but I dont see her under the list anymore. Her name is Julie and lives somewhere in the bay area.

As far as aborting the babies, I dont think I agree with the idea. I dont expect a large litter because it’s only her first. If it’s only 1 or 2 babies, I guess I can keep them. Besides, I dont think I’d be able to let them go once they arrive… I already have family&friends that are lining up for babies. I’m going to try my best to be as responsible as I can be with the babies.

[BinkyBunny]

hmmm. well, I don’t know of any Julie that is part of a rescue group, but then again, I don’t know everyone!  You should call the Rabbit headquarters in Richmond. 

[Sarita]

I would contact the HRS headquarters – they really need to know that someone they posted on their website (not sure if it was an educator or fosterer or rescue group – do you have an adoption contract that you can refer too?) – anyway I know they would want to know this happened.

I’m glad you have friends and family lined up for the babies too.

[Gravehearted]

Just because it’s a rabbit’s first litter, that does not mean it will be a small litter. Rabbit litters can span anywhere from 4 – 12 babies.

I also have not heard of the person you adopted through. At Rabbit Haven, we do have a Julie who works through the Scotts Valley shelter, but she only does adoptions at the shelter and would never adopt out intact rabbits.

[Author]

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