|
|
|
|
Neutering Rabbits
Having your rabbit neutered is one of the most important steps you can take to help your pet enjoy a happy, healthy and long life. The main reason to have your rabbit neutered is so you can keep more than one rabbit without them fighting or causing a population explosion. But there are other advantages to. Neutered rabbits are less aggressive and territorial, and are more easily litter-trained if you want to keep your pet indoors as a house rabbit. Benefits for Male RabbitsIt's amazing what a change neutering brings to male rabbits. Male rabbits naturally want to fight off others from their territory, and for such a cuddly animal, they can be quite aggressive. In fact, many rabbits end up in shelters due to aggression problems which could be removed by neutering the animal. A male rabbit will be aggressive not only to other rabbits and animals in the house, but often to you as well, despite your best intentions. They will also spray urine to mark territory, a messy problem, and will be harder to litter train, than a neutered male. If your male is neutered, he will be a much more loving, calm and cuddly animal. He'll be less destructive and aggressive. The phrase "They'll be calmer and live longer" applies so well to rabbits. A neutered male will be able to have other rabbit friends, without fear of aggression or breeding. Benefits for Female RabbitsSome females become territorial and aggressive from sexual maturity onwards (4-6 months). They can have repeated false pregnancies, and may growl at, scratch and bite their owners as well as attacking other rabbits. Keeping two females together - even if they are sisters - can sometimes make things worse. Spaying reduces and sometimes eliminates these behavioural problems. Unsprayed female rabbits can develop uterine cancer by 5 years of age The OperationIt is important to find the right vet. A vet who is used to performing the operation. An experienced vet can neuter rabbits extremely quickly which reduces the risk of problems under aesthetic. Castration is a relatively minor operation which can be performed as soon as the testicles descend (10-12 weeks) although most vets wait until the rabbit is 4 or 5 months old, when the operation is easier to perform and the aesthetic risk is reduced. This will take an experienced vet about 10-20minutes to perform. Male rabbits remain fertile for up to 4 weeks after castration. Females must be kept away from males for about 14 days after being spayed. It's best to keep them separate (but in adjacent cages) except when you can supervise them very closely. Spaying is a bigger operation than castration. It's usually performed when the rabbit is at least 4 or 5 months old. The uterus and both ovaries are removed via the abdomen. The rabbit will have stitches and must have strict cage rest for a couple of days. For further information visit rabbitrehome.org.uk |
|
|
