Neuter Help

kaskaskia · Sep 30, 2006

I adopted my rabbit in May from a rescue near me to be a companion for my neutered boy Benjamin, and I didn't ask at the time if she was neutered as I thought it would be safe as Benjamin had been done.
However, at that time I didn't know that female buns were more likely to get cancer if not neutered, and now I'm worried sick. Is there a way to tell if she has been done or not by previous owners, can a vet tell? I don't think the rescue will have had her done as I reserved her practically as soon as she came in to the rescue and took her a few weeks later, and I know the rescue didn't have her vaccs done as I had to get her vaccinated myself.
Please help, I feel like a terrible bunny mummy and I certainly don't want her to get ill... what can I do to find out if she's been done or not?

nicole · Sep 30, 2006

Mabey the vet could feel for a scar on her tummy that would indicate that she had been spayed. Or an x-ray could tell.

This is a terrible thing to say but I think if she was handed into a rescue then it's more than likley that she has not been spayed.

Azraelm · Sep 30, 2006

Im not suggesting you do it yourself, but surely shaving her belly will reveal a scar if shes been spayed.

Id ring the rescue anyway- theyd should have records and be able to tell you what her old owners told them.

janice · Sep 30, 2006

There is usually no way you can tell if a female has been neutered, as there is usually no evidence of a scar once things are healed up. Some vets may chack using ultrasound but most do not.

I would advise contacting the rescue she came from, they may have a record from when she was admitted, my guess if the rescue does not routinely neutered is that she probably isn't.

sarahbarnsley · Oct 26, 2006

Sorry for bringing up an old topic but I'm having the same problem

I was told that Lola (my french lop) had been neutered when I got her - not by the rescue but the woman who handed her in claimed she'd had her done. This same woman also claimed she'd been vaccinated but couldn't provide the certificates.

My vet told me that there was no way of telling that a rabbit had been spayed other than opening them back up - as Lola was a very big girl when we got her we didnt want to risk it.

She's 4 now and I keep thinking about the risks of uterine cancer. Do you think its worth having her opened up just to check and to be spayed if necessary. Or is it better to just leave it as I've been told frenchie lifespans are around 6 to 7 years anyway?

Thanks

Tamsin · Oct 26, 2006

An ultra sound can be used to look without opening the bun up - I know that's how Bobtails check rabbits to confirm whether they have been spayed and another member has it done regularly to check for cancer as an alternative to spaying. You probably need an experienced vet though to find the right bits and a rabbit willing to sit still

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