Specific disease free rabbits?

[Azerane]

So I saw an add for this company today: http://www.rabvet.com.au/

What they're boasting is rabbits that are free of particular diseases. Now I know that some rabbit diseases like E.C are often present in the system, but don't actually become an issue unless the rabbit is under stress. So are they saying they've bred rabbits which don't actually have any E.C etc in their system?

Also, surely the chance of contamination would be somewhat likely, given that you have to take your rabbit to the vet, and you could never take your rabbit hopping or to a show etc. It would have to be isolated from all other rabbits unless you bought two of theirs.

I'm also wondering what exactly "rabbit research company" means, and to what extent they're researching on rabbits. It just seemed like such a bizarre thing when I saw the add. Thoughts, true or not? Also, they've used the wrong spelling of "produces" in their main heading, it should be "producers" Obviously very professional. Their site is also weird because I can't find their "sales policy" and I can't find a way to add anything to my cart even if I wanted to (which I don't). It all seems a bit funny to me.

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

It seems kind of iffy to me. I am not sure about the medical stuff, but some stuff can easily be passed from rabbit to rabbit, so if you have another rabbit, then this 'pathogen free' rabbit would be at risk.
That the rabbits are 8 weeks, desexed and litter trained is just odd to me. I know many rescues and shelters will neuter dogs and cats that young, but it is not really a good idea. Litter training takes time and there is no way I would expect an 8 week old rabbit to be fully litter trained. I don't know what the vaccination schedules are, but usually an 8 week old would not have a full set of vaccinations and some vaccines can't be given until a certain age.
They claim their rabbits can live 10 years and have great personalities, but that can go for any rabbit. You can get this perfect rabbit and have something completely unrelated happen to it or or gets sick from something else.
There is no mention of dental screening or anything related to teeth. Dental problems can be a big issue is some breeds and for some individuals. It can be genetic, but can also be due to an injury. Dental problems can also lead to other issues such as GI stasis from not eating.
They breed and sell mixed breed rabbits. It seems like you can basically order what you want and some colours seem more expensive than others. They refer to the rabbits as 'in stock' like they are a toy or product at a store. This just seems wrong to me, rabbits are living creatures, not t-shirts.

The only thing I can see as a positive is the pro biotic. Most of the ones out there are for dogs and cats, birds, reptiles or people. Rabbits really don't have anything specific to them. Assuming it works well, it could be good to use if there is a need.

There is not much info on the site. They have a member area, but that is $75 a year or you buy a rabbit. Seems that all info would be in there.

 

[Azerane]

That the rabbits are 8 weeks, desexed and litter trained is just odd to me. I know many rescues and shelters will neuter dogs and cats that young, but it is not really a good idea. Litter training takes time and there is no way I would expect an 8 week old rabbit to be fully litter trained. I don't know what the vaccination schedules are, but usually an 8 week old would not have a full set of vaccinations and some vaccines can't be given until a certain age.

That was another thing that was weird to me, can you even do a de-sexing op on a rabbit at 8 weeks, and I'm pretty sure 12 weeks is the minimum age for the calici vaccine. It seems scammy to me, and someone has certainly gone to a heck of a lot of effort to make it happen.

 

[funnybunnymummy]

That is very weird. I know lab rabbits are supposed to be kept "sterile," but the breeds they're offering aren't the usual lab rabbit breeds (NZ white, etc.). I'm all for breeding for health (and maybe one day, like with dogs, breeding rabbits can be health tested), but this just seems like a scam.

Rue

 

[Kipcha]

That was another thing that was weird to me, can you even do a de-sexing op on a rabbit at 8 weeks

I've seen that Petland recently has taken to selling spayed/neutered rabbits for very high prices ($200+ for just the bun) and they get them fixed at 8 weeks.

So if Petland is doing it... Make of that what you will *Eye roll*

Our vet is very against this (As am I), she says that it effects their growth rate and could have some harmful side effects on the system.

 

[Watermelons]

Spaying and neutering an animal at 8 weeks does not affect their growth rate. Lots of rescues/shelters do it, especially for cats. Ive seen hundreds of cats/dogs come out of the procedure at that early an age with no ill affects and they grew up just as big and strong as those animals that didn't get done till they were older. Bunnys aren't a whole lot different... I think that says something for the ability of the vet too if they can do it that early. Most just aren't confident enough to even try.

 

[Maureen Las]

It may be physically possible to neuter /spay a rabbit at an early age like 2 months , however, it is not in the best interests of the rabbit. In the US Petco did this for years using only male rabbits from Marshall Farms, however, Petco now adopts out rescue rabbits.
A male rabbit would need to have an abdominal neuter which is way more invasive than waiting until the testicles drop naturally at 3-4 months.

During the first 4- 6 months of age both sexes are going through major growth periods which are influenced by naturally occurring hormones released in their bodies. To remove the *** organs early creates a cessation of a naturally occurring process. The ramifications of this are not fully known but bone strength in later years may definitely be affected.

I actually noticed that the Petco rabbits from Marshall Farms lacked a certain vitality that is usually seen in a young rabbit .
Yes it is possible that an experienced vet can do a surgical procedure on a very low weight animal, however, statistically the losses will be higher.

I would never neuter /spay a rabbit that young.