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Rabbit Neutering
The Importance of Neutering/Spaying your Rabbit.
What is neutering?
Why should you neuter your rabbit?
As you may be already aware neutering involves the removal of a rabbits reproductive organs. In the case of a female rabbit, the ovaries and uterus are removed. This procedure is commonly called a spay or ovariohysterectomy. In the male rabbit, the testes are removed. This procedure is called a castration.
Why should you neuter your rabbit?
As a responsible rabbit owner and as part of our duty of care for our pet rabbit, we therefore need to prevent reproductive diseases and unwanted pregnancies by getting your rabbit neutered/spayed. In addition to the prevention of unwanted pregnancies and reproductive diseases, there are also behavioural reasons why rabbit owners should seriously consider having their rabbits neutered/spayed.
Having your rabbit neutered is one of the most important steps you can take to help your rabbit enjoy a happy, healthy and longer life.
The surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus in the female will greatly reduce, if not eliminate the risk of uterine tumours, infection and other problems. In the male rabbit, the removal of the testicles eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and infection.
Rabbits do demonstrate several sexually driven behaviours which include aggression, urine spraying, mounting and nesting. Both male and female rabbits can spray urine, marking their territory which is likely to prove undesirable if you have a house rabbit. They may also mark their territory by the strategic deposition of droppings. This territorial behaviour is expected to stop or decrease following neutering.
A sexually active male is likely to have a strong desire to mate and may attempt this ranging from other rabbits to dogs, cats, and even toys. Leading to a particularly frustrated rabbit, which is a little unfair if you put him through this unnecessary stress. The behaviour is greatly hormone dependent and reduce or stop following castration and your rabbit will be much happier.
A female rabbit is likely to have phantom pregnancies (pseudopregnancy), when she will go through the nesting procedure. She will form her nest using her fur, so will pull large quantities of fur out, usually from their tummy and will gather other items, hay, paper, anything they think suitable for a nest. They may become aggressive as they defend their territory/nest. This behaviour is likely to be eliminated, if not reduced following being spayed.
When should you neuter your rabbit?
Rabbits are usually neutered/spayed at 4 or 5 months old following the onset of puberty, however the onset of puberty can vary between 4 and 8 months. At this age the operation is easier to perform and the anaesthatic risk is reduced.
Male rabbits should only be considered to be sterile a after a period of 4 to 6 weeks after castration. Therefore they should not be introduced to an entire female until after this period. Females must be kept away from males for about 14 days after being spayed.
Choosing the right vet & prior to surgery
It is very important that you use a veterinary surgeon whose expertise is in rabbit medicine, surgery and treatment. Don't be afraid to question your vet about their experience, procedures, facilities and whether they have lost any rabbits during surgery. If they oppose your questions or appear offended, DON'T use them. You need to feel confident that your rabbit is going to receive the best level of care. I understand your hesitation, as I have gone through it with my rabbits, but I knew I was doing the best thing for my rabbits by getting them neutered and spayed. It is only natural to be worried, as with all surgery there is always a risk, but you have to do what's right to give your rabbit a long, happy and healthy life and one of those things is getting them neutered/spayed.
Please note; rabbits cannot vomit, so they do not need to be fasted before surgery. Therefore ensure they are offered food and water right upto the time of surgery and as soon as they wake up.
After surgery
You should be given pain relieving medication to take home, if not, ask for it. Your vet is likely to arrange for a follow up appointment for your rabbit.
Male rabbits usually recover quite quickly after their operation, usually in a couple of days, but females are likely to be quiet for a few days. The most important thing is to get your rabbit eating and ensure that their droppings are normal. Vets try very hard to avoid any complications by using drugs to relieve pain and stimulate the gut, but be prepared to monitor your rabbit closely and you may have to tempt them with their favourite food and treats. If your rabbit is not eating by the next morning, contact your vet for advice. Most vets use special suture techniques to prevent rabbits chewing stitches, but you should still check the operation area daily for any swelling or discharge.
In summary
Reasons for spaying female rabbits:
- nesting
- aggression
- endometrial hyperplasia
- hydrometra
- uterine infections (pyometra)
- ovarian disease
- pregnancy toxaemia
Reasons for castrating male rabbits:
- mounting
- aggression
- testicular infections (orchitis and epididymitis)
Having your rabbit neutered is one of the most important steps you can take to help your rabbit enjoy a happy, healthy and longer life.
The surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus in the female will greatly reduce, if not eliminate the risk of uterine tumours, infection and other problems. In the male rabbit, the removal of the testicles eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and infection.
Rabbits do demonstrate several sexually driven behaviours which include aggression, urine spraying, mounting and nesting. Both male and female rabbits can spray urine, marking their territory which is likely to prove undesirable if you have a house rabbit. They may also mark their territory by the strategic deposition of droppings. This territorial behaviour is expected to stop or decrease following neutering.
A sexually active male is likely to have a strong desire to mate and may attempt this ranging from other rabbits to dogs, cats, and even toys. Leading to a particularly frustrated rabbit, which is a little unfair if you put him through this unnecessary stress. The behaviour is greatly hormone dependent and reduce or stop following castration and your rabbit will be much happier.
A female rabbit is likely to have phantom pregnancies (pseudopregnancy), when she will go through the nesting procedure. She will form her nest using her fur, so will pull large quantities of fur out, usually from their tummy and will gather other items, hay, paper, anything they think suitable for a nest. They may become aggressive as they defend their territory/nest. This behaviour is likely to be eliminated, if not reduced following being spayed.
When should you neuter your rabbit?
Rabbits are usually neutered/spayed at 4 or 5 months old following the onset of puberty, however the onset of puberty can vary between 4 and 8 months. At this age the operation is easier to perform and the anaesthatic risk is reduced.
Male rabbits should only be considered to be sterile a after a period of 4 to 6 weeks after castration. Therefore they should not be introduced to an entire female until after this period. Females must be kept away from males for about 14 days after being spayed.
Choosing the right vet & prior to surgery
It is very important that you use a veterinary surgeon whose expertise is in rabbit medicine, surgery and treatment. Don't be afraid to question your vet about their experience, procedures, facilities and whether they have lost any rabbits during surgery. If they oppose your questions or appear offended, DON'T use them. You need to feel confident that your rabbit is going to receive the best level of care. I understand your hesitation, as I have gone through it with my rabbits, but I knew I was doing the best thing for my rabbits by getting them neutered and spayed. It is only natural to be worried, as with all surgery there is always a risk, but you have to do what's right to give your rabbit a long, happy and healthy life and one of those things is getting them neutered/spayed.
Please note; rabbits cannot vomit, so they do not need to be fasted before surgery. Therefore ensure they are offered food and water right upto the time of surgery and as soon as they wake up.
After surgery
You should be given pain relieving medication to take home, if not, ask for it. Your vet is likely to arrange for a follow up appointment for your rabbit.
Male rabbits usually recover quite quickly after their operation, usually in a couple of days, but females are likely to be quiet for a few days. The most important thing is to get your rabbit eating and ensure that their droppings are normal. Vets try very hard to avoid any complications by using drugs to relieve pain and stimulate the gut, but be prepared to monitor your rabbit closely and you may have to tempt them with their favourite food and treats. If your rabbit is not eating by the next morning, contact your vet for advice. Most vets use special suture techniques to prevent rabbits chewing stitches, but you should still check the operation area daily for any swelling or discharge.
In summary
Reasons for spaying female rabbits:
- prevents unwanted pregnancies
- prevents phantom pregnancies (pseudopregnancy)
- prevents or modifies sexually related behaviour
- nesting
- aggression
- prevents or treats uterine and other genital tract disorders
- endometrial hyperplasia
- hydrometra
- uterine infections (pyometra)
- ovarian disease
- pregnancy toxaemia
Reasons for castrating male rabbits:
- prevents unwanted pregnancies.
- prevents or modifies sexually related behaviour
- mounting
- aggression
- prevents or treats testicular disorders
- testicular infections (orchitis and epididymitis)