Spay or Not Spay - How it Affects Personality

[DreamsweptAlpacas]

We have an English angora bunny that is five months old, and we are new to raising a bunny. When I questioned fixing her, the breeder said it is not necessary even if we don't want to breed her.

I've recently read articles that indicate they can become territorial along with getting more aggressive if they are not fixed. Also, there may be future medical problems that can be avoided with the surgery.

This type of surgery has potential risks along with being quite expensive here. Would fixing her really avoid personality changes? I would rather not have it done unless it really seems necessary to keep my sweet, loving bunny. Also, she is our only bunny so there is no chance of pregnancy.

Would appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks!

 

[Sweetie]

Spaying does have its benefits. It will prevent the bunny from getting uterine cancer.

My Sweetie, female lionhead mix, is spayed. Her personality was sweet before she got spayed and is still sweet after she got spayed.

Getting your bunny spayed will also decrease her aggressiveness. She will live longer. I believe that there are more benefits with getting your bunny spayed, I just cannot think of them right now.

If/When you get your bunny spayed, make sure you get 3 to 4 days worth of pain meds.

For spays, I think the benefits outweigh the risks.

 

[Happi Bun]

Spaying and Neutering is a relatively easy surgery with low risks when using a qualified rabbit savvy veterinarian. Sweetie is right about spaying preventing your bunny from getting uterine cancer. It can also help with any hormone based behavioral problems she may have in the future. The best age to spay a female is 6 months old. It's very important you use a qualified vet with a high success rate in neutering rabbits.

Here is a list of recommended vets by the House Rabbit Society in Illinois.

http://www.hrschicago.org/articleslay1.html


The benefits of spaying female rabbits;
--by Holly Nash, DVM, MS

• Uterine cancer: Rabbits of certain breeds have a high risk of uterine cancer, with 50-80% of them developing uterine adenocarcinoma after reaching 4 years of age. This is a slow-growing but malignant cancer which can spread to other organs including the lungs and bones.

• Ovarian disease: Ovarian cancer and cystic ovaries can occur in unspayed females.

• Mammary disease: Mammary glands can become cystic in unspayed females. Although these swellings are benign, they can be painful. Unspayed females over 2 years of age can develop mammary cancer, often associated with uterine cancer.

• Endometrial hyperplasia and uterine polyps: As a rabbit ages, the uterus normally undergoes changes. The lining of the uterus may thicken (endometrial hyperplasia) and polyps or cysts may form. This may result in anemia, blood in the urine, and a decrease in activity.

• Pyometra and endometritis: The uterus of an intact (unspayed) doe may become infected or inflamed. In the case of pyometra, the uterus is actually filled with pus. This can be a life-threatening condition.

• False pregnancy: As in dogs, rabbits can exhibit false pregnancies. This occurs when the hormone levels "trick" the rabbit's body into believing the rabbit is pregnant. The rabbit will build a nest, become aggressive over territory, and even produce milk. This stressful condition can be eliminated through spaying.

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

DreamsweptAlpacas wrote:

We have an English angora bunny that is five months old, and we are new to raising a bunny. When I questioned fixing her, the breeder said it is not necessary even if we don't want to breed her.

I've recently read articles that indicate they can become territorial along with getting more aggressive if they are not fixed. Also, there may be future medical problems that can be avoided with the surgery.

This type of surgery has potential risks along with being quite expensive here. Would fixing her really avoid personality changes? I would rather not have it done unless it really seems necessary to keep my sweet, loving bunny. Also, she is our only bunny so there is no chance of pregnancy.

Would appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks!

Ahh, an Illionoian, no way!:biggrin:

The article is correct.

You still could have behavior issues as well as terrotorial ones if left unspayed. Of course, her personality may change a bit. Usually, it's worth it.

 

[DreamsweptAlpacas]

Thanks so much for responding! I was hoping you'd say we didn't need to have it done, but I guess I really knew deep down after reading different articles that having her fixed was the way to go.

Is there any benefit (physically for her) to having one litter and then having her fixed?

 

[okiron]

Nope, not at all.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

Rescue sidenote, person contacted us about foster space for an aggressive New Zealand female, approx. 5 years old, unspayed. Does not use litter box, is overweight (from tiny cage, diet, and lack of exercise), tends to bite, gets poopy butt, doesn't want to be handled, and has been shuffled through various homes. No one seems to want her, save for the person who's trying as best she can... despite limitations.

Sigh. // How I wish the female would've been spayed to eliminate the unwanted actions and background.

Absolutely, spay has more benefits than you can imagine! Seek a rabbit-savvy qualified vet.

It'd be easier to transition this shuffled-about gal, in a home, with neutered boys
so she could begin introductions & have a companion husbun (if spayed).

The rescue inbox gets filled with lost interest, no longer wish to keep the rabbit, requests; ... roommate left the rabbit behind... no time for a rabbit ... its gotta go.

Volunteer at a shelter where you could foster a newborn batch. Become a foster mom for a rescue. Your gal wouldn't want her offspring put to death later on.
Thousands are dumped or killed before they've had a chance to experience kindness.

 

[tonyshuman]

It is also my opinion that the later in life a bunny is spayed, the more likely she is to keep the aggressive hormonal behaviors. Our Frida was spayed at approx 4 years of age, and still grunts, lunges, and protects her territory. This is probably partly due to her having been a stray who had to fight for food and survival, but I think the longer-term exposure to female hormones that her brain had is part of it. My Muffin was spayed at a young age--approx 1, and is as sweet as can be, although she is a bit food aggressive (again, she came from a not so good situation, but she did not have to fight for space, just food). A lot of the bunnies at the shelter that show more of the aggressive, territorial behaviors were fixed later in life as well.

 

[Ms.Jess]

Spaying my baby was the best thing I could have done. I iwas planning to spay her but was putting it off because I was having a hard time finding a rabbit savvy vet at a decent price ( was quoted by the local exotic pet vet at 400)and the spca had a 10-12 week waitlist. but then she started to become a such a little...beast. she was becomeing aggressive and then she did the unthinkable...she sprayed me with pee...several times. she was losing her good little habbits and being a moody snot. I checked the rabbit.org website and found a spay neuter clinic about 45 minute away for 70 bucks and I jumped at it. I was so nervous about the after care but she really came through it well (though she didn't eat much the first couple of days so I had to really watch her and I had to place her water bottle right next to her face so drinking was effortless). I have been nothing but glad I did it. I say go for it.

 

[DreamsweptAlpacas]

Thank you so much for all the replies. It helps to confirm that I shouldn't procrastinate getting it set up. I am having a hard time finding a close vet that knows rabbits and doesn't charge over $200 though. Some will not even spay females, only fix males, which tells me they probably don't work with rabbits much. The search is still on!

 

[missyscove]

I often recommend asking a local rabbit rescue or shelter what vet they use. Typically the price is low and they have a lot of experience with rabbits. I know my shelter will give out spay/neuter coupons or vouchers; you might see if yours does too.