Spaying while feeding kits

My doe willow had an unexpected litter just over a week ago ( we were rold she was neautreud)

The worry is she may be expecting as the male was with her, my rabbit vet has said they could spay her but it may dry out her milk whixh obviously isnt good for the kits

Has anyone had any experience on spaying a doe who is feeding?

She is having an ultrasound next week to determine if she is or not

kerrylouise said:

My doe willow had an unexpected litter just over a week ago ( we were rold she was neautreud)

The worry is she may be expecting as the male was with her, my rabbit vet has said they could spay her but it may dry out her milk whixh obviously isnt good for the kits

Has anyone had any experience on spaying a doe who is feeding?

She is having an ultrasound next week to determine if she is or not

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It's not something I would do. I believe some people on here have though and hopefully one of them will see this thread and give an account of their experiences.

kerrylouise said:

My doe willow had an unexpected litter just over a week ago ( we were rold she was neautreud)

The worry is she may be expecting as the male was with her, my rabbit vet has said they could spay her but it may dry out her milk whixh obviously isnt good for the kits

Has anyone had any experience on spaying a doe who is feeding?

She is having an ultrasound next week to determine if she is or not

Click to expand...

I know this used to happen at one of the Rescues where I worked, to prevent too many unwanted litters.

I have a feeling it's the timing that's important - I'm trying to think back to what they did! Your vet will be the best person to advise, and he could maybe consult with another if not sure or to double check?

I would wait until the kits are 3 weeks old. they can survive without milk at this stage if the doe does dry up and a three week termination can still be done.

Whitelighter said:

I would wait until the kits are 3 weeks old. they can survive without milk at this stage if the doe does dry up and a three week termination can still be done.

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Spaying a Doe at 3 weeks gestation would be a huge risk. The increase in vascular activity in the uterus means that there is a very significant risk of haemorrhage. In general it is not advisable to spay a pregnant Doe who is more than 10 days gestation.

Whilst 3 week old kits may be able to survive if the Doe's milk dries up it is certainly not in their best interests to carry out a procedure on the lactating Doe which risks denying lives already here of optimum age specific nutrition.

Whitelighter said:

I would wait until the kits are 3 weeks old. they can survive without milk at this stage if the doe does dry up and a three week termination can still be done.

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I thought the time element was two weeks, but would go with three weeks, because of the milk and feeding the little ones issue.

What does your vet say?