I am curious as to whether there is an age at which itis unsafe to neuter or spay a rabbit. I am asking this because we do not know the ages of our shelter bunnies (unless they come in right outof the nest). The shelter I volunteer at requires all animals to be altered after adoption. Maybe this is unsafe with rabbits???
Safety of neutering an older bunny
- Thread starter Maureen Las
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naturestee
Well-Known Member
The shelters over here (eastern WI, soSheboygan, Ozaukee, Milwaukee, etc) always spay and neuter rabbitsbefore they are adopted. I know the WI HRS does, I'm prettysure Madison/Dane County does, too. You could probably callthem for advice in this. This is what the HRS websitesaid:
Veterinarians will have their own opinions on this, but in general,after a rabbit is 6 years old, anesthetics and surgery become morerisky.
It is always a good idea, in a rabbit over 2 years of age, to havea very thorough health check done, including full blood work. This maybe more expensive than the surgery, but it will help detect anycondition that could make the surgery more risky. This is especiallyimportant if anesthetics other than isofluorene are used.
http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/spay-neuter.html
Veterinarians will have their own opinions on this, but in general,after a rabbit is 6 years old, anesthetics and surgery become morerisky.
It is always a good idea, in a rabbit over 2 years of age, to havea very thorough health check done, including full blood work. This maybe more expensive than the surgery, but it will help detect anycondition that could make the surgery more risky. This is especiallyimportant if anesthetics other than isofluorene are used.
http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/spay-neuter.html
Thanks a lotl naturestee,,,I got my answer. Thanks much!
dajeti2
Well-Known Member
I'm curious, what was the answer?
Tina
Tina
ariel
Well-Known Member
naturestee wrote:
One of My Vets will NOT spay a rabbit after age2 , they say it is way to stressfull andthe risk of complications are too high .
Anesthesia is risky at best when they are younger andmuch more risky after they turn a yearold . Most places will risk the health and life ofan animalto carry on what THEY! think they aredoing for the best . Its notamatter of what is best for the Animal , its amatter of what Humans think is right .
Anesthesia is risky at best when they are younger andmuch more risky after they turn a yearold . Most places will risk the health and life ofan animalto carry on what THEY! think they aredoing for the best . Its notamatter of what is best for the Animal , its amatter of what Humans think is right .
ariel wrote:
6 years old isgetting extremely old for a rabbit consideringthat most often, it is said that their life spans are5-10years. Knowing that others have had their rabbitslivelonger than that,still and all,themajority seem to fall within that 5-10 year bracket.
I don't care what they think, I would not take a male in at 6 years oldhave him neutered. I'dnotgobeyond 3, personally.
-Carolyn
6 years old isgetting extremely old for a rabbit consideringthat most often, it is said that their life spans are5-10years. Knowing that others have had their rabbitslivelonger than that,still and all,themajority seem to fall within that 5-10 year bracket.
I don't care what they think, I would not take a male in at 6 years oldhave him neutered. I'dnotgobeyond 3, personally.
-Carolyn
