Bunny Spaying!

[Micky712]

Hi there!

I wasn't sure where to go to post this but I figured it does have to do with infirmary so here I am!

So I live in Abbotsford, and currently am a owner of 2 lovely lop eared bunny girls who just turned 4 months old. They are both sisters so they rarely fight but they are not spayed therefore they like to mount on each other and sometimes nibble on each others' backs. Plus, they tend to get a little mean towards me like biting me, chewing on my clothes, peeing on sofas, running around the house rubbing their chins everywhere... and the list goes on but I think everyone knows what I'm talking about here.

So I know that spaying won't fix all of their behaviours, like biting and chewing is only natural for bunnies to do but I know that spaying will decrease their chance of getting sick and it'll be easier for me to bring new bunnies in (I want another bunny C.

I've been researching on places where they spay rabbits and the prices tend to get quite ridiculous. I found a vet close to my house and I'm actually bringing them there this week for a general check up (and to see if they are ready to be spayed). I called to ask how much they charge for a rabbit spaying and the doctor actually showed discomfort and said he doesn't like spaying rabbits, which I understand but I thought it wasn't a very professional thing for him to do as I am uncertain of that vet now. Plus, the spaying fee was $195 per bunny. I have 2 girls so that is already over 300 dollars. I do want the best for my rabbits, but I don't think spending 300 dollars on them is good for anyone.

I didn't mean to make this a long speech but all I wanted to find out was, is there anyone around Abbotsford area (or further, I don't mind as long as it's not in Ontario or something haha) that knows a cheaper place for rabbit spaying? Please help!!! Thank you for reading this loooooong story !

 

[missyscove]

Hi and welcome to RO! I am definitely a proponent of spaying rabbits as I do believe it makes them easier to bond, cuts down on hormonal behaviors, and greatly reduces their risk of certain reproductive cancers. Is your vet otherwise rabbit savvy? As a current vet student I can tell you that while legally we may be able to practice on any non-human animal, veterinarians do specialize in different things and if it's not a dog, cat, horse or cow, chances are it wasn't the focus of your vet's education unless he or she chooses to pursue rabbits or other "exotics." $195 sounds fairly reasonable to me as some vets will charge upwards of $400 for the procedure, but you may be able to find a lower cost option. One suggestion I usually make is to seek out rescues in your area and find out what vet they're using as usually that vet can do the surgery at a low cost and has plenty of experience.

You can also check our rabbit savvy vets list for vets other members may have recommended in your area.
http://www.rabbitsonline.net/f21/

One sign that your vet may not be rabbit savvy is if they ask you to fast your rabbits before their surgery. Rabbits (like horses) are physically incapable of vomiting and it is important for their sensitive GI tracts that they have food available to them constantly. Sometimes you may find a receptionist reminds you to fast your rabbit but always double check that recommendation with the veterinarian. Also, some cheaper surgeries do not include the cost of pain meds afterward. While a spay is a fairly common surgery, it is still abdominal surgery and in my opinion pain medication should not be optional.

 

[LakeCondo]

Even if they never develop any behavioral problems, the risk of reproductive cancer is so high by the time they're middle aged that it really should be done. But you don't have to do it right now, in fact many vets won't spay before 6 months, so you could save up until you can get them done. Also, sometimes vets give a discount for a 2nd rabbit. This makes sense because their office has to deal with 1 fewer human that way. As Christina mentioned, pain meds afterwards are necessary so you should be sure you're being given an all-inclusive price quote.

 

[Bunnylova4eva]

I know $195 is alot, however if it were me and I knew it was a rabbit savvy vet who would do a good job, I would definitely do it. Our vet is I think something like $450, so your vets price sounds actually pretty good to me. The thing is, as with our vet, I know he does a wonderful job with exotics. In that case, I'd rather pay more for someone like that who I know will do a good job and have my bunny come through the procedure well rather than worry the whole time and have something possibly happen. Make sure your vet is very good with bunnies and ask questions. Provided that's fine, I'd call it worth it.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Definitely hunt for a Rabbit savvy vet that has done a lot of procedures. We tell everyone to talk to rescues in their area for ones they'd use.

 

[isadorastar]

I was charged 252 for getting my rabbit spayed. It stopped her poop trails around the house and it also stoped her killer smelling Pee >.<,

 

[agnesthelion]

You are in Canada? I can't say for sure but I think $195 sounds typical for Canada. There may be some vets that do it for a bit cheaper but as others have said if it is a rabbit savvy vet then I would go for it. I think you will be pleasantly surprised how much of the behaviors it takes care of. Also, just because they are sisters doesn't mean they won't fight. If you plan to keep them together than a spay is almost necessary. There are instances where two unaltered females can stay bonded but it's not very common. As they get further into their sexual maturity it is more than likely they will fight. And rabbit fights can be pretty viscous!

I did also want to add since you said you want another bunny that trios are very difficult and it is rare for 3 to get along. Definitely do your research before attempting that.

Best of luck and welcome to RO!

 

[Imbrium]

if your vet outright told you he "doesn't like spaying rabbits", I would definitely look for a more rabbit-savvy vet to perform the operation - check the link missycove provided for our library of rabbit-savvy vets. $195 isn't the best price but isn't unreasonable - I paid about $220 USD (pretty much the same in canadian dollars) for each of my girls... but I was willing to pay that because I was using a VERY bunny-savvy vet.