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Neuter or not?

lja401

Warren Scout
Hi all,

Noel is 23 weeks old and is a house bunny who gets lots of attention. He is very loving and seems very happy - binkying and grunting happily.

We took him to the vet to get his jabs done and the vet said he doesn't recommend having him neutered. He isn't aggressive or territorial. What do you think?

Thank you,

xx
 
find a differant vet, unless there is some underlieing health issue other, than it being a risk to do, which says to me vet is nervous of doing them, so back to first comment :D


you got mounting spraying to look forward too :D
 
We said could we book him in and he said unless he is aggressive he wouldn't recomment doing it.
 
I agree with areia, if he is young and healthy then it suggests that your vet isn't very confident with bunnies so it might be worth having a look to see if you can find a vet in your area who is more experienced with bunnies :)

Even if he isn't giving any problems, 'grunting happily' could also be a slight misinterpretation of bunny body language - bunnies also grunt when they are sexually frustrated (for instance they can sometimes run around your legs in circles while making little grunting noises) so it doesn't necessarily signal happiness, it can actually be a sign of friskiness and frustration. He's still only a youngster so chances are this behaviour will develop into slightly more overt sexual advances, spraying and possibly loss of litter training.

Personally, if he is a healthy boy I would see if you can find a vet who is more confident with bunnies who can neuter him for you :)

Good luck xx
 
I agree with the above. Definitely find a more bunny savvy vet and have him neutered :)

When i first got my Daisy and found a local vet I was told 'she doesn't need to be neutered' :roll: Thankfully people on here are a lot more knowledgable about rabbit health than many vets! I didn't take his advice and found myself a better vet.
 
I personally would get him done. He might start wee wee spraying soon and that wouldn't be fun :shock:
 
My house ND bunny Benjamin remained unneutered and was very well behaved, not spraying and the only mounting he ever did was to some bunny shaped slippers someone once bought me.

He lived to be 11 1/2 years old. He was tho an only bunny and lived alongside my lurchers. I did once book him in and then backed out at the last minute as i was worried abou the risks as he did have cardiomyopothy

On saying that tho one of my two girls is neutered and Tilly will be done when she is well enough as the snuffles has ruled that out for her for the time being. Maisie the neutered one is much friendlier although i suspect Tilly associates handling with us touching and cleaning her sore nose :?

All of my dogs are neutered as i think there are enough unwanted animals in the world without creating more.

I am not sure if it is the same with bunnies but dogs in particular do need their hormones for growth ad therefore should not be neutered too early.
 
I would get him neutered. My boys are so much calmer after having the op. No more humping, fighting, spraying or taking bites out of ankles!
 
Change your vet. He will definitely benefit from being neutered and it's a really simple procedure. I would imagine the vet lacks confidence with rabbits.
 
Even if he isn't giving any problems, 'grunting happily' could also be a slight misinterpretation of bunny body language - bunnies also grunt when they are sexually frustrated (for instance they can sometimes run around your legs in circles while making little grunting noises) so it doesn't necessarily signal happiness, it can actually be a sign of friskiness and frustration. He's still only a youngster so chances are this behaviour will develop into slightly more overt sexual advances, spraying and possibly loss of litter training.



yup i used to think it was quite humourous till one day he sunk his teeth in my arm and mounted it :lol:
 
I'd put money on that vet being a bloke! 'Man-vets' seem to have an aversion to neutering male animals. If it isnt tewrritorial or aggressive to begin with that means there isnt a lot of testosterone in its system anyway so neutering will have little effect on behaviour/personality but will stop babies being made and other long term health condidntions. I know unneutered females are prone to cancer.

Lots pf people seem to think that neutering an already passive animal (most commonly dogs but applies to other animals too) will turn that animal into a vegetable. not true.

Find a woman-vet who specialises in bunnies or exotics. Not just cats and dogs. If you are struggeleing to find one then you could contact your local rabbit rescue centres and they should be able to point you in the direction of a rabbit savvy vet.
 
I have a male vet...hes picking Beebees pockets on the 18th.I want them off so I can get him a friend.Hes very skittish and hasnt tried to mount or spray me...but he pees in his bed.With a bit of luck,he will start to use a litter tray.God help him if he piddles in Mrs Buns bed!!
 
Similar to the above post - as well all the hormonal benefits -getting him neutered would mean that he could have a spayed doe as a companion should you choose to do this in the future. Rabbits are happier with a friend. :D
 
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