Spaying/Neutering of Rabbits and other questions

[Carti & Mar]

Hello from the Philippines! I’m new to the group. It’s so hard to find a group of rabbit pet owners in our country so I figured I might get to know more here

I have two rabbits named Carti & Mar (named after the place where we bought them), female and male respectively. They’re about 5 months now and I would like to ask the following questions:

1. If we wanted Carti and Mar to have babies just one time, is it possible to have them neutered and spayed after? 

2. I can see that Mar sometimes sniffs and bites Carti’s butt. Is that a sign that he wants to do it already? I’m not too sure about their age though. Mar looks a bit bigger than Carti so I’m guessing there’s a month’s difference between the two. Is there a way to figure out their age?

3. Sometimes when I want to inspect their bellies and feet, I pick them up with a football hold and place them on my lap with their bellies and feet facing me. I cover their eyes too so they don’t feel scared being picked up. Is it possible to make them stay that way longer so I can trim their nails and clean if there’s poop? Mar wakes up instantly when he feels I use a wet tissue to clean his foot. If he wakes up and leaves my lap, I try and pick him up again the same way… Is picking them up several times dangerous? I am worried about how fragile their spines are. 

[Sarita]

Welcome Carti & Mar – we do not allow the subject of intentional breeding and I do hope you will reconsider this because it’s not easy to find responsible homes for rabbits. So that being said, yes, it is possible to have them spayed and neutered afterwards but again, we don’t recommend breeding them at all.

I have no idea if that is a sign that Mar “wants” to breed – there is no definitive way to determine age really….you do need to check to see if Mar’s testicles have dropped because that is a sign that he is ready to be neutered.

I don’t think it’s necessary to clean their feet…and I don’t recommend that you keep them in that position for long if at all.

[Troubledbunnymom]

Hi I’m also from the Philippines and I’m desperately trying to find a vet who knows how to neuter and spay a rabbit. I have an angora rabbit who is 3months old. If you can recommend any vet for that that would be wonderful I live near the quezon city, Fairview. I know how you feel, I think mostly the Philippines have dogs and cats, but no bunny groups lols.

For your first question yes, but I know that in this forum people discourage it. However at the Philippines I have never encountered a rabbit rescue. Dogs and cats yes, but bunnies are so rare that the only way to acquire them is by buying them which is a little sad.

Maturity for bunnies are from 6 month on wards, but some can mature faster. Dr. Cerdy Deloso from PTRC Pets Recovery and Therapy Center in 134 A West Ave Quezon City (Beside Banco de Oro) can check your rabbit since he handles exotic animals including rabbits. Unfortunately he does not neuter and spay a rabbit because he doesn’t have the anestesia for them at the clinic. He knows how, but is reluctant to do it without proper medical facilities. He can check for health, and behavioural changes with your bunny.

You do not need to clean the bunny’s feet as long as it is not smelly or has a little poop on them. Your main concern would be their butt. Do not let any poop stay there or flies could nest and kill the bunnies.

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