At what age can a bunny be spayed?

[Irina]

Hello! I was under the impression that a female bun can only be spayed at 6 months or older. However, I have read posts where bunnies are spayed as early as 4 months? When is the best time?

[Tessie]

Buns mature at different rates so its depends. It also varies between different vets, so I suggest you ask your vet what they recommend

[Elrohwen]

A lot of it depends on the vet, and the size of a bunny. Some vets are more comfortable with the procedure than others (and the anesthesia) and will do it younger. Very small breed bunnies may have to wait until they are older and larger, to make anesthesia safer, while larger breeds may be able to handle it at a younger age.

[MoveDiagonally]

It’s also recommended to wait until 6 months for female rabbits because estrogen helps with their bone development.

[Irina]

I wondered if the exposure with estrogen was an issue. It makes sense to wait until at least 6 months then. That is what my vet recommended, (but he did say it could be earlier… Which made it confusing.)

Thanks all!

[Sindri]

I am getting my 4 month old rabbit spayed this week. my vets office told me that it was easier to perform the surgery at this age. Also, there was a huge price difference if I had her spayed after 4 month. It will cost $112 now verses $185. I would wait but my husband thinks we should listen to our vet.

[Beka27]

Why is there a price difference? I’ve never heard of that. Is your vet a rabbit-savvy/exotics vet?

[Irina]

To further complicate issues, I asked my vet again regarding the best time to spay- he says anytime after 3-4 months, as the surgery is easier due to less fat deposits. I asked specifically about the need of estrogen for development, and was told that it is not an issue after the first few months. I am unsure what to do. Shadow is doing great- still pleasant and happy- but starting to pee to mark territory (new for her…). I want to do it at the best time for her health and well being. Any thoughts re longer exposure to estrogen vs. easier surgery?

[Sindri]

I am guessing the price difference is due to the difficulty of the surgery and more pain meds perhaps. My vet said the same thing as Irina said above. Its easier to do being there is less fat deposits. she also finds that the females do much better after surgery at that age vs them being older. Oh and yes my vet is the only exotic vet near me that does spay and nuetering on rabbits and guinea pigs as well. She has been a vet for over 21 years i like her very much.

[MoveDiagonally]

I've never heard of a price difference with age (either from my vet or on any bunny forum). That's a new one! 

Spaying at four months is the youngest I've heard. I've always heard that 6 months is the ideal age from my vet and second hand through other peoples vets. There are plenty of members here that spayed their bunnies under 6 months and there's no way to really know how or if it affected them. In the end I think you really have to go with what you think is best. 

From MediRabbit:
A spay is usually done around the age of 5 months, or when the rabbit is sexually mature. At a younger age, the surgery is complicated by the difficulty to locate the very thin uterus and the very small ovaries. A spay at immature age may also have a dramatic effect on the proper calcium absorption by the bones.
Warning: Graphic pictures at website- http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Uro_gen_diseases/castration/Spay/Steril_en.html

[Irina]

Thanks All! I think I will split the difference and have her spayed at 5 months!

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