Spaying

I notice you guys talk about this quite a lot... is it essential for buns? Rich and I have never discussed it with Phoebo, he seems happy and I wouldn't want to do anything like that if its not necessary.

I think he's a 'proper' adult bun now - we remembered noticing a few months back when his 'bits' dropped! (I freaked out, I thought it was bunny hemaroids as Phoebo was having toilet issues at the time!!!)

it doesn't seem to have changed his behavior at all... what are the benefits for him of doing it? or not doing it?
thanks and sorry I'm always asking stuff!

X

We had Sparky castrated and have noticed a big difference in the way he is, seems to have calmed him down no end!

We've got Jezebel booked in to be spayed in a few weeks time!

Phoebo isn't naughty though (not that I'm implying any other buns are!!!) - he doesn't seem to need calming down if you see what I mean!

Hiya! Spaying is the name of the procedure for female buns, the generic term for both sexes is "neutering". The main benefit for boys is that it allows them to be paired with a lovely girlie bun and have some company without producing millions of babies!

Sometimes male bunnies even on their own can get sexually frustrated (for example he might run round your feet in circles whilst making grunting noises, or try and hump things.) My first bunny used to hump my Winnie the pooh slippers before he was neutered and would sometimes even, erm, make a mess.

They can also lose their litter training or become territorial (although this is more common in females). Male bunnies may start weeing everywhere, such as on you, or spraying up furniture, much like unneutered tom cats do.

The procedure for boys is relatively simple (it involves a general anaesthetic but they don't have to open up their abdomen) so in the hands of a good vet who knows how to anaesthatise and look after bunnies well, it shouldn't be too much to worry about.

Spaying females is slightly more complicated, as they have to open up the abdomen to remove their bits. Females often get territorial and aggressive once they are mature and spaying can reduce or even eliminate this behaviour. Also, the statistics for the number of unspayed female rabbits getting uterine cancer are huge, I forget what they are now, but it seems that there is a fairly high risk for unspayed bunnies.

Hope that helps a bit!

Alison x

AlisonA said:

Also, the statistics for the number of unspayed female rabbits getting uterine cancer are huge, I forget what they are now, but it seems that there is a fairly high risk for unspayed bunnies.

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The statistics vary on every site, and the last study was taken years and years ago I believe. however, i remember someone on here who runs a rescue saying that EVERY female rabbit they spayed that was nearly/over 4 years had the start of uterine cancer, and they have spayed dear knows how many rabbits! So I am very much for spaying females. :wink:

Are you thinking of maybe pairing your boy with another bun? He will have to be neutered before introducing a friend. :wink:

Yep,80% of un-spayed does over the age of 4 have uterine cancer in-situ. The ONLY way to protect a female bun from this HORRIBLE disease is to spay them If an older doe is taken on un-spayed treating vet can be asked to do a chest X-ray BEFORE going ahead with the spay. Uterine cancer tends to metastasise (spread) to the lungs and there would be no point in subjecting a doe to major abdominal surgey if secondary tumours are already present in the lungs. Uterine cancer is usually asymptomatic 'til it is 'too late' so I'd say spay your bun!! Jane and Buns xx