RABBIT OWNERS: PLEASE BE AWARE OF RHDV2 - A FATAL VIRUS TO RABBITS THAT IS GETTING CLOSER TO LOUISIANA
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Foster Home Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
“Why pay for an expensive medical procedure that will end up costing me more then what I paid for my rabbit? I will have only one anyway!”
Spaying or neutering is highly recommended for several reasons. One is a health issue and another is behavior.
Female rabbits are called does and does are spayed. Spaying a doe is a little higher in price than a buck because the procedure is more involved but it will be well worth it in the long run. Reproductive cancers run rampant in unspayed females (read more about that here). Uterine infections (pyometra) can occur in does over 1 year of age. Aggression, mounting, nesting, mood swings and many territorial behaviors can all be taken care of by simply spaying your pet bunny.
Males are called bucks and bucks are castrated or neutered. This is a relatively simple procedure with a big advantage. Bucks who are not neutered can become aggressive when maturity reaches, and are may be on the lookout for a doe. Even worse, they may spray urine! Spraying is unsightly to carpets and furniture and it also has an awful smell. A neutered buck is also easier to housetrain and generally more mellow.
When the rabbit reaches maturity it is safe to alter. Bucks can be castrated as soon as the testicles descend, usually around 3-4 months of age. Does can be spayed around 6 months of age. Some smaller breeds, especially the dwarfs, mature earlier at about 4 months of age and should be spayed at that time. Have your rabbit examined by a capable vet to discuss the time of altering for your particular breed.
A rabbit that is not worried about marking its territory, wondering where it can find a mate, or feels defensive is typically much calmer and easy-going. If for no other reason, please alter your pet rabbit so no unwanted offspring is produced. There are a lot of rabbits in need of homes. Rabbits produce early, fast and large litters. Not all unwanted rabbits are fortunate to end up in shelters or rescues. There are far more rabbits in need of homes than there are humans willing to take care proper care of them. To see a list of vets that see rabbits in our area, click here