Should I get my bunny neutered?

[Mak]

Hi everyone!! I am brand new to binkybunny and forums in general! I have the sweetest boy and he is about 7 months now. I never really considered neutering him simply because he would never have to worry about conceiving. My friend has a boy bunny about the same age (maybe a month older) and he has started becoming more aggressive and starting spraying (?). I have never had any issues with my bunny, no attitude changes, is completely litter trained, etc. He is so sweet and has never acted aggressive. Do you suggest I should just get my rabbit fixed to avoid problems? or do you think I should wait and if I start seeing changes, then I can address the idea? To get him fixed is $150+ (as I’m sure all of you know) and that is a large amount of money to spend if it is not absolutely necessary. I have also had a friend that has neutered her own rabbit at home but I don’t think I trust myself/doesn’t really seem right? Please Help!! 

[blubudgie]

I would go ahead and get him neutered for behavioral and also medical issues. Medical problems might not come up until your rabbit is older, and by then surgery for neuter would be much riskier, so might as well get the problems out of the way now.

never neuter your rabbit at home, it is a surgical procedure and just like human surgeries must be done at a hospital (vet) where it is safe (in case something goes wrong) and sanitary. There is so much prep work, machinery, monitoring, and post-surgical care that goes into even a simple neuter, it is definitely not something anyone can replicate at home. Please tell your friend not to continue doing it to other rabbits she may own, it is really inhumane and in many countries illegal.

[teddy+toby]

Yes actually you should i went to the vet today with my Toby to see about neutering and i had always thought about it becuase we used to have a bun named teddy but he passed and now im getting a baby girl next week so we got him prechecked today and the vet was telling us how it helps there health and they dont spray and there pee would start to smell but i am very nervous about my bun getting neutered the vet said i should wait a month so he gets checked again in a month

[Mikey]

Always. Ive read many stories where in tact males end up having life threatening issues whent hey are a bit older due to being intact. Like having their testicles explode because they cant procreate and dont feel comfortable humping stuffed animals. I would also like to add, just because your little guy hasnt changed yet, doesnt mean he wont. My second bun right now is spraying, biting, kicking, marking, ripping, attacking, ect everything and anything he can get to due to his hormones. Were trying to get him snipped, but we have to play the waiting game due to liver problems

[Love4Bunny]

I adopted my rabbits, so I never had to pay for de-sexing them, but my I fostered my male when he was intact, and he tried to hump my dogs, my leg and continually circled me (which sounds cute but can get annoying fast). Post-neuter, he was much calmer. It took a solid month for the hormones to leave his body, but I say, don’t wait. Hormones can be a problem later if you decide to get him a friend in the future.

[BinkyBunny]

Mikey- I have never heard of bunnies testicles exploding due to the reason stated. I get the feeling that might be an old wives tale.

Health issues are definitely more of a concern for females than males as female cancer rates of the reproductive organs are much higher than male. For males it is typically done for behavioral reasons

Welcome Mak!

I am definitely a big advocate for spaying and neutering, however, if someone’s male bunny is not showing any signs of aggression, is litter trained, no spraying and doesn’t seem to suffer from sexual frustration, then it is not a urgent decision. And it gives you some time to save and search for a rabbit-savvy vet if then you decide a little bit later. However it is true that is harder for an older bunny to go through the surgery. IF you think you may get another bunny, or other animals, (which can cause some behavioral issues) or begin to see habits like spraying, then you do want nip that in bud before bad habits set it.

I am startled to hear someone actually neutered their bunny themselves at home. I can’t nor don’t want to even imagine. Definitely do not try this as Rabbits can go into shock very easily and due to their high heart rate, a rabbit savvy vet should administer and monitor anesthesia. And to do it without that via some home diy tied off version would be cruel and unsafe in my opinion.

Your bunny could show some undesirable changes still, but there are some members here that have intact rabbits that don’t seem to have any issues. Rabbit urine of unaltered males can be more pungent! But other than that neutering is mostly done for behavioral reasons and for bonding (with other rabbits).

[Mikey]

@BB
From what my vets told me and what the internet says, its not common but can happen in rabbits with a very high drive. Basically it starts with a build up of semen which turns into an infection, with some blood and puss. If the infection isnt treated, it can explode. By explode, i mean rip and leak blood(/semen/puss) until the rabbit dies or is rushed to the vet for emergency surgery

[BinkyBunny]

MIkey-thanks for clarification. I will check more into it.

[Mikey]

Yep! I didnt know about it either until my second male started to have issues with his testicles. It was a long talk with the vet that day about options and warning signs for when it becomes an emergency and he needs surgery asap. Were trying to avoid surgery as of now because his blood levels are abnormal and the vet doesnt want to put him under in case he reacts badly to the anesthesia. But anyway! It is rare/uncommon and usually goes unnoticed until its too late because, well, who checks their buns lower bits every day when they think their bun is healthy?

[Eepster]

Neutering is optional. Though there are many good reasons to neuter (behavior, bonding, preventing pregnancy) it is not universally necessary. If you have a well behaved single male there is no need.

The health benefits for males do not outweigh the risks, even though the risks are very slight.

I have an intact male. Neutering should be decided on a case by case basis.

You can wait to see if he starts spraying or humping or acting territorial. If it does become a problem you can get him neutered then. If it never developes and you never plan to have a second bunny, you can just skip it.

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