To neuter or not?

Firblog

Hi, have just come from a local vetinary clinic. I was enquiring as to procedure involved in getting 2 rabbits (female) neutered, booking them in, fasting/feeding, etc.
Talked to the Vet, and to be honest she's really put me off the idea.. Rabbits don't take anesthetic well - death, rabbits don't like stitches - self multilation/death.. :eek:
Bloody hell, what's the story? I've not come across any site that said this, yet here's a professional saying this.. Is it really that dangerous?

andreac

If you arent going to have a male around them, maybe you wont need to get them done? Im no rabbit expert though so maybe someone a bit more experienced might be able to give you some better advice.

Firblog

Was going to have them done as I've read that it massively reduces their chances of getting cancer and stops them getting very territorial/bossy etc.

Aru

Firblog wrote: »

Hi, have just come from a local vetinary clinic. I was enquiring as to procedure involved in getting 2 rabbits (female) neutered, booking them in, fasting/feeding, etc.
Talked to the Vet, and to be honest she's really put me off the idea.. Rabbits don't take anesthetic well - death, rabbits don't like stitches - self multilation/death.. :eek:
Bloody hell, what's the story? I've not come across any site that said this, yet here's a professional saying this.. Is it really that dangerous?

Go to an exotics specialist like bairbre o'malley in bray and your rabbits will be in safe hands. Most vet practices do not see a lot of rabbits and are not always as comfortable with doing the procedure and aftercare involved,though it sounds like your vet is more familiar with rabbits then some!but might be less then keen about the idea of doing the op.

Rabbits can react poorly to going under anesthetic and get gut stasis if aftercare is not quite right and yes they are more delicate then dog/cats when it comes to stitches and picking at them so she is right to some extent. I would be picky about what vets I went to as the more experienced the vet is with the procedure the less issues and complications should occur.

Neutering a female rabbit is a very good idea even if no males are around as uterine tumours are a common cause of death in older female rabbits and early neutering eliminates the risk and it seriously improves the territorial issues.

boomerang

Firblog wrote: »

Hi, have just come from a local vetinary clinic. I was enquiring as to procedure involved in getting 2 rabbits (female) neutered, booking them in, fasting/feeding, etc.
Talked to the Vet, and to be honest she's really put me off the idea.. Rabbits don't take anesthetic well - death, rabbits don't like stitches - self multilation/death.. :eek:
Bloody hell, what's the story? I've not come across any site that said this, yet here's a professional saying this.. Is it really that dangerous?

Sounds like a vet with very little experience of doing rabbit surgeries and is therefore nervous... All you need OP is an experienced rabbit vet.

Aru is spot on.

Firblog

Phoned another Vet and asked about the same procedure, was given nearly the same reply, said that she wouldn't recommend operating but that if there was an issue with cancer in the future that she would...
We've now decided against getting the op done, herself says she'd be too upset if one died on the operating table.. (We live in Donegal so travelling to Bray would be a bit of a journey)