Need advice before purchase!!

[petkeeper]

Hey guys.

I have for as long as I can remember have been in love with the FlemishGiants. I have finally located a breeder nearme. She has 2 females left that are aproximately 3 monthsold.

I have 2 male rabbits, who are neutured. My big problem is Ihave called around and have not found a vet who would be really willingto spay a rabbit unless she turned agreesive. They said it isa very risky surgery and would not be comfortable putting her throughthat.

Could a female co-habitat comfortably in a house with neutured maleswithout being spayed. Would get get sexualaggression? The vet said if she did develop sexual aggressionshe would spay her for me, but in my opinion I would think it would bebetter to have it done before it reached that point.

I want to make a wise well informed decision before I just jump in.

Thanks for your help in advance!

Shannon

 

[Shuu]

Would they be living together? Itmostly depends on personality. I'd be more worried about your malesbeing aggressive towards the Flemish. Even neutered males can smell anunspayed female. Bringing her in may also cause problems with the twomales you have now. I would think long and hard about this. Do you havethe option of seperating all three of them?

It is true it is a risky surgery but there is also the possibility ofher developing cancer which would either go unnoticed and she wouldpass, or they would have to spay her while she's in a bad state.Personally, I believe spaying when they're old enough (Flemish around 8months) is the better option if you aren't going to breed or show.

 

[Snuggys Mom]

If your vet is unwilling to do a spay, find another vet.

She will need to be spayed eventually to prevent cancer in the reproductive organs, even if she's not aggressive.

You shouldn't spay her before she's six months old. Youprobably need to wait longer with a Flemish because they mature slowerthan smaller breeds. Check with one of the Flemish breedershere to be sure.

Laura

 

[CorkysMom]

I currently have a doe living with a neuteredbuck...she has started the humping him thing now that she's 6months....I think its unfair to make him deal with it any longer...whenhe's had enuff he flips around and gives her "the look"..I'm taking herin tomorrow....aside from possible cancer later on...I just don't thinkits fair to the buck to ask him to deal with it...

 

[Lissa]

Did you check with your local humane society first before going to a breeder?

 

[petkeeper]

Yes I continually check the shelters...they have never had flemish giants in.

 

[mygrl2k3]

Maybe they arent in the shelters cause they arejust way too cute to give up.. Just kidding.. All bunnies cute or notshouldnt have to be gave up but sometimes it happens.

Cristy

 

[Lissa]

Regardless of breed, I would still consider the shelter. These bunnies need homes.

 

[Carolyn]

Kudos to you, Petkeeper, for researching before you jump in.

My baby girl Fauna, a 6 year old Holland Lop, came to me at age 4 andit was too late to spay her. It was toorisky withher being that age, so it never happened. She's notaggressive nor can you really tell that she's unspayed at all by herbehavior. She's very loving and sweet.

Shuu and Laura bring up very important points to consider about thespaying of her as to she's more prone to getting uterine cancer, andwaiting until she's 6 months or older until she's ready. Ifyour vet isn't comfortable with the procedure, I would find one thatis. There's nothing wrong or to be ashamed of for asking how manyspayings and successes they have done in their history. It isa very invasive surgery and one that leaves the little girluncomfortable, but many do very well when it's all said anddone. Just have to keep an eye on the wound, of course, andmake sure it doesn't get infected.

I don't blame you a bit for wanting a Flemish. They areincredible creatures. I have one and although I never reallyexpected to adopt her, there's not a day that goes by that I'm notcompletely grateful that I did. I agree with Shuu that itwould more likely be the boys that are aggressive with her as opposedto the other way around, but no guarantees. My Polish (3 or 4lb. rabbit) bosses my Flemish around as if she's just a littlething. I can't keep Fauna and Tucker with Cali as they do geton her case, but all she wants is as many friends as she canget. Doesn't matter though. I separate their freetime out, and when it's her turn to come out, she hangs by myside.

Best of luck!

-Carolyn

 

[petkeeper]

Thank you Carolyn!

Well the boys and girl would definetly be in seperate cages...and playtime could be seperated. But would the boys start fightingamongst themselves with her in the house? I would hate to doanything to hurt their bond. If there is even the slightestchance of this happening I would not get a female. If Ibrought a male in I don't think I would run into as manyproblems. This particular breeder will have more in thespring and I am willing to wait...have waited this long what is a fewmore months!! I do realize the rabbits in the shelters needhomes, all of my animals are second hand animals...so I do my share ofkeeping animals out of the shelters because that is where they were allheaded. So to treat myself I am going to get a breed ofchoice!!

I forsure would get a female spayed...the chance of ovarian cancerscares me. That is what I told this one vet and she said itis not a major issue. I don't feel she is very rabbitknowledgeable. I let her do my males because she has neuturedquite a few males before. One thing at least she is not justin it for the money because she is turning down the job! In asense that is a little refreshing!

Does anyone have situations where they have a pair of bonded males then brought in a female?

Like I said Rex and Harley come first and I won't do anything to jeopardize thier bond.

Thanks again guys!

Shannon