Buck and doe - should we neuter both?

Hi,

We're a new bunny owning family.

Max and Molly are 8 week old dutch rabbits. They seem very happy together, which is a good start.

We know Max will need a visit to the vet - probably at about 16 weeks. We know to look out for behaviour that suggests it is time. That's the easy one.

But I've heard conflicting advice on whether Molly will also need to be operated on. I have read books and online info saying she should be done - with both behavioural and health reasons given. But I've also spoken to rabbit breeders who say that the science on the increased cancer risk for non-neutered does is highly questionable. If I can spare Molly the risk and discomfort of a major operation, with low to minimal risk of adverse consequences of NOT having the operation, I would like to. But I would welcome advice from more experienced bunny owners.

Thank you, from a novice bunny owning family, on behalf of

Max and Molly

MaxAndMolly said:

Hi,

We're a new bunny owning family.

Max and Molly are 8 week old dutch rabbits. They seem very happy together, which is a good start.

We know Max will need a visit to the vet - probably at about 16 weeks. We know to look out for behaviour that suggests it is time. That's the easy one.

But I've heard conflicting advice on whether Molly will also need to be operated on. I have read books and online info saying she should be done - with both behavioural and health reasons given. But I've also spoken to rabbit breeders who say that the science on the increased cancer risk for non-neutered does is highly questionable. If I can spare Molly the risk and discomfort of a major operation, with low to minimal risk of adverse consequences of NOT having the operation, I would like to. But I would welcome advice from more experienced bunny owners.

Thank you, from a novice bunny owning family, on behalf of

Max and Molly

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Of course breeders will claim spaying does is un-necessaary - trying to justify why they don't spay their own females :roll:

Talk to your vet about it, but essentially, yes, she does need spaying :thumb: there's the cancer risk (which I'm sure you've read about), but also the fact that unspayed females can be really territorial and grumpy, meaning re-bonding the pair of them may be impossible, so you may then end up with two single bunnies.

MaxAndMolly said:

Hi,

We're a new bunny owning family.

Max and Molly are 8 week old dutch rabbits. They seem very happy together, which is a good start.

We know Max will need a visit to the vet - probably at about 16 weeks. We know to look out for behaviour that suggests it is time. That's the easy one.

But I've heard conflicting advice on whether Molly will also need to be operated on. I have read books and online info saying she should be done - with both behavioural and health reasons given. But I've also spoken to rabbit breeders who say that the science on the increased cancer risk for non-neutered does is highly questionable. If I can spare Molly the risk and discomfort of a major operation, with low to minimal risk of adverse consequences of NOT having the operation, I would like to. But I would welcome advice from more experienced bunny owners.

Thank you, from a novice bunny owning family, on behalf of

Max and Molly

Click to expand...

Hello

I would definitely get her spayed. The benefits by far outweigh the minimal risk. Not only from the point of view of protecting her from Uterine infections and cancer but also from the point of view of 'quality of life'. Entire Does are totally hormone driven. Basically they live to eat and breed. So a Pet Doe will be far more content when not a furry bundle of raging hormones. The only time I would not spay a Doe is if she had health problems making a GA and surgery very high risk or if I intended to breed from her.

There is some useful information here :

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/leaflet_pdfs/neutering28.8.07.pdf

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/info-sheets/uterine.htm

catherine09 said:

Of course breeders will claim spaying does is un-necessaary - trying to justify why they don't spay their own females :roll:

Talk to your vet about it, but essentially, yes, she does need spaying :thumb: there's the cancer risk (which I'm sure you've read about), but also the fact that unspayed females can be really territorial and grumpy, meaning re-bonding the pair of them may be impossible, so you may then end up with two single bunnies.

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Totally agree with this.

Breeders will obviously try and justify why they don't spay their own females. Females need neutering not just for these reasons above but also because 80% of female rabbits eventually get some form of cancer ''down there'' if they are not neutered.

Thank you for the quick replies. The advice is appreciated.

Yes, your doe will need to be spayed for behavioural and health reasons. There is no doubt that a very high proportion of unspayed females will develop uterine cancer by the age of 5 and it is unfortunate that some breeders, for their own reasons, may choose to dispute that fact

Please research vets and ensure you find one who has a special interest in rabbits.

catherine09 said:

Of course breeders will claim spaying does is un-necessaary - trying to justify why they don't spay their own females :roll:

Talk to your vet about it, but essentially, yes, she does need spaying :thumb: there's the cancer risk (which I'm sure you've read about), but also the fact that unspayed females can be really territorial and grumpy, meaning re-bonding the pair of them may be impossible, so you may then end up with two single bunnies.

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I agree with Catherine here ^^^

Perhaps when you take your rabbits for their first vaccination (if you haven't already) you can 'interview' your vet about their views on spaying female rabbits. If they are reluctant or say you don't need to, move on to a more savvy vet practice.

It's essential to have does spayed. People who haven't and have had them develop cancer will tell you that it's not nice at all
Also, the bonding will be easier to keep between the two of them.

Good luck xx

catherine09 said:

Of course breeders will claim spaying does is un-necessaary - trying to justify why they don't spay their own females :roll:

Talk to your vet about it, but essentially, yes, she does need spaying :thumb: there's the cancer risk (which I'm sure you've read about), but also the fact that unspayed females can be really territorial and grumpy, meaning re-bonding the pair of them may be impossible, so you may then end up with two single bunnies.

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I dont think Breeders need to justify it beyond that they are BREEDING. You may not agree with it but there you go.

My personal feeling is that as spay is a much bigger operation than a castrate, which can often be done with a keyhole procedure, it carries a lot more risk should be questioned and thought through by any owner. I have my buck fixed but my doe is intact and she is fine. I realise this goes against the RU royalty collective thought but there you go.

To the OP, I cant say if the cancer figures are correct or not. I have done no research so I cant give an opinion on that (it wont stop many though). what I do know is the number of does that die during an spay is high enough that it isn't an unusual occurrence. Now, its not a massive number, but its enough that no one is surprised when it happens.

My personal (note personal) feeling is that there may well be a link to preventing cancer in later life, but I was not prepared to risk killing my girl at just 9 months to potentially save her after 6 years. In my book, 6 years is better than 1.

There are no doubt some benefits to a spay, they become less hormonal and more cuddly. Ok, but my poppy is not particularly hormonal and she is the easiest rabbit in the world to bond, she takes to just about any buck. As for cuddles, she doesn't really like them but that's fine. I wanted a rabbit, not a teddy bear. I offer my opinion to give you some balance and to let you know that you wouldn't be the only person who didn't spay and you wouldn't be a bad person for making the decision not to put your rabbit through a major operation.

You have to make up your mind, having considered all the facts you an so listen to everyone here and take your time. Just dont feel pressured into doing something you are uncomfortable with. You are asking the questions because you want the best for your rabbits and that already puts you (sadly) way out ahead of a lot of people who keep rabbits.

Whitelighter said:

I dont think Breeders need to justify it beyond that they are BREEDING. You may not agree with it but there you go.

.

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The breeders can do what they want with their own rabbits (I wish they wouldn't, but that's life).

What I can't stand is them then trying to come up with other excuses, which then cause people to question whether spaying is right or not. If they just said that they don't spay because they want to breed, then that's fine (well, not in my books, but..), but to spout potentially harmful information whilst trying to justify their choice is not acceptable. Eg, say a breeder tells a new bunny owner that the cancer thing is a myth (as has happened to OP), just because she doesn't want to spay her own bunny, then the new owner doesn't get new female bunny spayed and it ends up being PTS to uterine cancer - that's not OK as if the breeder hadn't said anything about the cancer thing, the new owner may have had the bunny spayed.

Not having a go at you - at all - agree to disagree re the spaying thing. It's just I can't stand incorrect rumours being spread re the cancer thing that could actually impact on the welfare of a bunny

Think about it ..

If Rescues felt that the risk of a Doe dying during a spay was greater than the risk of her developing uterine cancer, do you think they would really put their hard earned cash into spaying Does before they rehome?

Surely they would leave that choice up to the individual and leave them entire?

There is very good information on the need to spay Does on the RWAF website (you can order a leaflet or look at it on line).

I was as also guided by my vet: a well-respected rabbit specialist who has access to the research.

Thank you Whitelighter for offering a valuable and balanced alternative perspective.

Thank you once again to all others who've replied.

I value all of the opinions and advice that has been given here. It is all appreciated.