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Low weight but considering castration

Dillon and Cuthbert have bonded, and are now putting weight on nicely, Cuthbert more so than Dillon but they are driving each other mad, they hump each other perhaps 6 times an hour - nothing fierce but constantly. I am worried that Dillon is putting that much effort into either getting out of Cuthberts way or humping Cuthbert that he will never manage to put on weight.

My spec. vet is not back till January so I was wondering has anyone had chemical castration done to their boys please? I did have a dachshund that had the injections and did really well from them but not heard of anyone giving the chemicals to rabbits.

My boys are completely unphased by showing their love for one another and have taken to sitting on the hearth in front of a roaring fire bonking each others brains out, I almost feel like I should supply them with a glass of wine and some privacy!!!
 
How old are they now? They can make themselves sore if they over-mount and it could escalate into a fight. They seem to both want to be the dominant rabbit.
 
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How old are they now? They can make themselves sore if they over-mount and it could escalate into a fight. They seem to both want to be the dominant rabbit.

12wks and 5 days. They hump each other with the other one just lying quietly underneath - not too much hip action more just being on top of the other one - any which way up will do as well. Dillon attempted to mount the cat this morning!
 
If you keep them together, which I would not advise, you will have to keep a very careful eye on them as when they reach around 14 weeks there could very well be a fight and one or both could have terrible injuries. It could happen earlier in fact. I would check to make sure they are in fact boys now and to see if their testicles have come through. Are they left alone together?
 
If you keep them together, which I would not advise, you will have to keep a very careful eye on them as when they reach around 14 weeks there could very well be a fight and one or both could have terrible injuries. It could happen earlier in fact. I would check to make sure they are in fact boys now and to see if their testicles have come through. Are they left alone together?

Yes they are left alone, they both have their testicles, but Dillon particularly is very very underweight and the specialist vet at my practice is away till January. What a worry. Thank you for your reply.
 
Yes they are left alone, they both have their testicles, but Dillon particularly is very very underweight and the specialist vet at my practice is away till January. What a worry. Thank you for your reply.


Do you know why Dillon isn't putting on weight?

And what does your vet think of chemical castration? Especially vis a vis bonding with another male?
 
Do you know why Dillon isn't putting on weight?

And what does your vet think of chemical castration? Especially vis a vis bonding with another male?

Dillon is putting one some weight but we are trying to do it slowly and steadily. They were on a museli style food and no veg or hay where they were. We are trying to get him to eat pellets but he is really fussy. He is still "thin/poor" on the body condition chart. His fur is paintbrushed (like dreadlocks next to his skin) and they both had a bad start. I have left a message re chemical castration but no answer yet.

Sorry if I am being needy - I just want to do right for the boys.
 
It could be that he is very scared of being with the other rabbit and this will be stopping him from putting on weight.
 
Dillon is putting one some weight but we are trying to do it slowly and steadily. They were on a museli style food and no veg or hay where they were. We are trying to get him to eat pellets but he is really fussy. He is still "thin/poor" on the body condition chart. His fur is paintbrushed (like dreadlocks next to his skin) and they both had a bad start. I have left a message re chemical castration but no answer yet.

Sorry if I am being needy - I just want to do right for the boys.


Hey, you are not needy at all :)

I think you definitely need to build him up more before castration, from what you've said. Are his teeth OK? Can you perhaps try giving him fibafirst sticks? You can break them up and mix a little grated apple in there to entice him to eat them, but usually they are well received.

I have also given vitamins to some poorly bunnies who were in a dreadful condition after being seized as part of an R.S.P.C.A. cruelty case and it made an enormous difference :)


Also, if they are still living together, one could be eating more than his fair share of the food? x
 
Dillon was in a box with lots of other rabbits (box ie a one foot hutch) Cuthbert was in with him too so they have been together a while. Cuthbert I dont think is a giant and has a better body condition than Dillon but as I understand conti's mature slower than bunnies (Dill is a conti, Cuthbert might be part conti) I will get him some fibafirst and which vitamins do you recommend please? I would like to get them both some vits actually they were both badly slugged and urine scalded when we got them.
At the vets, teeth, ears, eyes, testicals were all good on both, body condition, coat condition and hocks were badly on Dillon and poor on Cuthbert.

Thank you again for your replies
 
Fibafirst ordered and castration booked for the 29th - I dont want any fighting and managed to book the head vet for this. flipping eeek
 
Dillon was in a box with lots of other rabbits (box ie a one foot hutch) Cuthbert was in with him too so they have been together a while. Cuthbert I dont think is a giant and has a better body condition than Dillon but as I understand conti's mature slower than bunnies (Dill is a conti, Cuthbert might be part conti) I will get him some fibafirst and which vitamins do you recommend please? I would like to get them both some vits actually they were both badly slugged and urine scalded when we got them.
At the vets, teeth, ears, eyes, testicals were all good on both, body condition, coat condition and hocks were badly on Dillon and poor on Cuthbert.

Thank you again for your replies


I will PM you regarding vitamins. Give me a prod if I forget :)
 
How old are they now? They can make themselves sore if they over-mount and it could escalate into a fight. They seem to both want to be the dominant rabbit.

We have come in tonight to evidence of fur pulling and a very agitated Cuthbert. We have split their pen in half and with a bit of luck prevented them getting at each other. Cuthbert is so very very cross and keeps banging on the floor to be let in with Dillon - Dillon is just eating! Cuthbert is making a grumping noise in his throat and spraying whilst diving back and forth looking for a method of getting into Dillons half. And Dillon is just eating! They can still touch noses through the wire and both have a litter tray, food and hay in with them.

As I type Cuthbert has just dived over the top and in with Dillon - now to fashion a top for the run - thank goodness we have a joiner in the house.
 
What a shame! I am afraid they will have to be separated now with no way of getting together or you might find an injured rabbit. They try to castrate one another :shock: Now what you need to do is get your underweight rabbit into full health before he is castrated - it could take a few months but once he is a healthy rabbit then you can go ahead with his neuter. You can go ahead with the other one's neuter.
 
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