Rabbit neuter FAQ

Why should I neuter my rabbit and at what age?
What are the anesthetic risks?
How is it done?
Will my rabbit be painful after the procedure?
What should I expect when I bring him home?

Why should I neuter my rabbit?

Neutering male rabbits is done for several reasons. It drastically reduces aggression in sexually mature bunny, prevents urine spraying and testicular abscesses, hematomas and cancer. The best time to neuter your rabbit is 6 months of age.

What are the anesthetic risks?

The anesthetic risks for rodents are higher than those for dogs and cats. That is mostly due to their small body size and very small oral cavity which makes endotracheal intubation very difficult. In addition general anesthesia is a big stress for rodents which complicates and prolongs the recovery period. However, a practitioner who is familiar with exotic species makes all the difference since she/he is familiar with medications used in those species and proper anesthetic and pain management.

How is it done? (back to the top)

We do not recommend fasting rabbits prior to surgery because they can't vomit and aspirate. It also decreases chances of postoperative ileus or gastrointestinal stasis (slowing down of the gastrointestinal system).

When your pet is admitted to the hospital, he is examined by a veterinarian and accurate weight is recorded. A premedication containing a sedative and analgesic is administered and 15 minutes later a gas inhalant is administered via mask. Depending on the size of the rabbit, an endotracheal intubation takes place at this time.

The surgical site is shaved and prepped and the testicles can now be removed through 2 scrotal incisions (one for each testicle). We close the incisions with surgical tissue glue to reduce the chance of herniation post-operatively. In general, skin sutures are not used in rodents to prevent self-mutilation due to their fastidious grooming behavior. Although this can be considered a major surgery the rabbit is ready to go home the same afternoon.

Will my rabbit be painful after the procedure? (back to the top)

Pain medication is administered twice throughout this procedure. The first dose is given prior to general anesthesia and the second dose is given 2 hours after surgical procedure is completed.

What should I expect when I bring my rabbit home after surgery? (back to the top)

There will be no sutures to worry about. It is important to check surgical site at least once a day for signs of swelling, infection, pain or foul odor. Some rabbit may not eat well for the first 2-3 days. If you find your pet to be lethargic, very uncomfortable and not eating, you should bring her in for a recheck. Some rabbits may require pain medication to relieve discomfort and shorten recovery time.

It is important to note that neutered males should not be put in contact with intact females for at least 3 weeks after neutering since they may still have viable sperm in the spermatic cord which can't be remove during surgery.