Questions about spay and neuter?

[Merlinthegreat]

I heard from some bunny rescues around my area that they have their bunnies spayed/neutered at our local Humane Society by a small animal vet. Would any of you consider having your rabbits fixed there? They charge $70 for male and $90 for the females where as my vet wants to charge $150 for the male and $250 for the females. I also have one female who is very nervous and over produces cecals when she is stressed out. She is very easily scared. What do you guys think? I don’t know what to do!

[Beka27]

I would! That’s a big savings, especially when you have multiple rabbits to alter. The Humane Society probably does rabbit spay/neuters all the time, so I wouldn’t be worried about lack of experience.

Make sure to ask about pain meds. Sometimes the lower cost speuters don’t include pain meds. The male might be able to get away with not having meds, but the females will absolutely NEED take-home meds.

[MoveDiagonally]

If they are rabbit savvy it should be fine.

HRS Spay and Neuter FAQ:
http://rabbit.org/faq-spaying-and-neutering/

[Merlinthegreat]

 Thank you! They said the fees cover the pain medications! I would be paying 230 for all three! I had the appointment set up for the 18th but I was worried about it. My sister says she would trust our vet but the Humane Society sees so many rescue bunnies! Do you know where I can purchase three carriers for low cost? I have been looking online but cant find anything. I have three small breed rabbits.

[Beka27]

Is your ultimate goal to bond them into a pair or trio? If so, I would get one medium-large carrier that will be the permanent carrier for all three together.

For the other two bunnies, do you have any friends or neighbors that have cats or small dogs that might let you use a carrier for a day? I’d hate for you to buy three separate carriers to only use once or twice, and then have to buy a large 4th carrier later on. Or even a sturdy cardboard box with a blanket or towel in the bottom. It’s just short-term.

[Beka27]

How far is the vet and do they fight when they are together? They are also going to be stressed during the car ride (probably too stressed to fight), so another option is taking them together in one large carrier. Just make sure someone is sitting in the back next to them to keep an eye on them. But then you’d have to get them home separately anyways… so that might not work.

[MoveDiagonally]

On carriers – Check with the vet. Some vets require you to have separate carriers when you’re leaving them or certain types. When I had my cats spayed at a strictly spay/neuter clinic they required hard carriers.

Do you know anyone with cats? You might be able to borrow a carrier (or carriers). Like Beka said, I’d hate for you to buy something and use it once or twice.

[Merlinthegreat]

We have one cat carrier that we used for all three when they were younger but now the male is trying to hump the other two. One of my females has shown aggression towards the other two. I will call and ask if we can use a box. I would love to have them bonded as a trio! Thats our goal. And the spay and neuter clinic is close to an hour drive. I don’t think they would last that long caged together.

[Beka27]

Oh yeah, for that long of a drive, I would definitely want them in separate, hard-sided carriers.

[MoveDiagonally]

I found some that are $16.97 at WalMart.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Petmate-Pet-Taxi-Travel-Kennel-X-Small-1ct/16785059

[Merlinthegreat]

 Thank you! I will look into that tonight!

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