Neutering Rabbits
Female rabbits can be spayed as soon as they are sexually mature which is usually around four months of age. The risk of diseases related to the reproductive organs in females is reduced by almost 100% when your rabbit is neutered before six months of age. 80% of unneutered female rabbits over the age of four suffer from endometriosis which can predispose your rabbit to infection and lead to uterine cancer and pyometra.
Male rabbits can be castrated as soon as their testicles have descended which is usually around three to four months of age. There are not the same disease related risks with male rabbits but he is likely to live longer as he won’t be tempted to fight with other animals (rabbits, cats, etc.) due to his sexual aggression. Neutered male rabbits are often easier to handle as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my rabbits character change following the operation?
It is likely that you will see a beneficial change in your rabbit’s character; becoming calmer, more loving, and dependable once the urge to mate has been removed. If your rabbit is neutered at a young age before these destructive and aggressive characteristics have developed, then it is unlikely that they will do. Unneutered male rabbits will often spray urine to mark their territory and both males and females are much easier to litter train after they have been neutered.
Can I house more than one rabbit together?
Rabbits are social animals and enjoy the company of other rabbits. If your rabbit is left unneutered it is likely that he or she will fight with their friend due to the sexual and aggressive behaviours triggered by hormones.
Is the operation safe?
Your rabbit will require an anaesthetic to have the procedure done and this does carry a risk. Advances in drugs and knowledge have made rabbit anaesthesia much safer, and we routinely anaesthetise rabbits for neutering, dental work and surgery. We pride ourselves on our anaesthetic regime, and constantly review it and strive to improve it. We use a combination of a sedative pre-medicant and isoflurane gas administered with oxygen throughout the surgery. Rabbits are also routinely given a combination of pain-relieving medication that ensures they are as comfortable as possible during and after the operation. The vet will examine your rabbit prior to the surgery to establish any current problems that may need to be addressed before we carry out the procedure.
Is it necessary to starve my rabbit before the surgery?
As rabbits are unable to vomit, it is not necessary to starve them before the surgery. We do recommend however that you give them a food supplement called Fibreplex a few days before and after the surgery. This helps maintain good gut motility and provides probiotics and prebiotics to encourage normal digestive function, which are vital for their recovery. This is available from the surgery at a cost of ?13.25.
Is my rabbit too old to be neutered?
We would generally like to neuter rabbits before they are two years old to prevent associated diseases and behaviour. For rabbits over this age it is wise to have a thorough health check up and full blood work to rule out any abnormalities that could cause complications with the anaesthetic. This does increase the cost of the operation but greatly reduces the risk of any complications.
Are you able to tell if my female rabbit has already been spayed?
If you are not sure if your female rabbit has been spayed the probability is very high that she hasn’t. It is sometimes possible to see a scar line once the abdomen has been shaved but otherwise the only way to find out is to proceed with the surgery.
How much does the operation cost?
To spay a female rabbit costs £100. To castrate a male rabbit costs £65.00. Both these prices include the consultation prior to the surgery and two post operative checks.
It doesn’t include a ‘buster’ collar (£1.00) or the Fibreplex paste (£13.25) to use before and after the surgery.
What should I bring with me?
When you bring your rabbit in for an operation it is a good idea to bring his or her normal food and bowl along with the water bottle. Once your rabbit has recovered from the anaesthetic we will need him or her to eat and this is made much easier if the food and bowls are familiar.
What will I need to do after my rabbit has been neutered
When you collect your rabbit we will go through the post operative instructions. The most important thing is ensure that he or she eats as this helps to speed up their recovery and prevent intestinal stasis (this is also where the Fibreplex comes into play). You will need to prepare his or her housing so that any straw or hay bedding has been removed and replaced with a soft bedding or shredded paper. This will minimise bedding adhering to the surgical wound. It is important to keep your rabbit in a quiet area to avoiding startling him or her. You will need to check the wound every day to make sure there are no complications and we will show you how to do this. We will check your rabbit back after two days to examine the wound and then again a week later to remove the sutures (female rabbits only).
