To neuter or not to neuter?

[myfirstbunny]

Ok, Wondering what would be the best option. Milkshake is about 2-2.5 years old and I have read that it is not a good idea to neuter a rabbit past 9 mos. I brought him home on June 28 and I found this site in Mid July (and was so warmly welcomed, thank you!) and read about bonding. We have definitely bonded! He is out of his cage when we are home. He follows me everywhere which I love. In the past 5 days he has tried to hump my leg, arm, even my back. He goes after my husband, too! As I said I am wondering about neutering. My concerns are is it safe to do so at his age. Also I can put up with the humping if it's something that is temporary or cyclical. Does this behavior happen intermittently or is this something that now he discovered that he is loved and no longer ignored that something was woken up in this sleeping giant and he is going to continue to do this. Has anyone found a way to lessen this behavior besides neutering? Thanks for any assistance. Kara

 

[Flash Gordon]

i dont know how anybody can live with an intact male house bunny...i have a very hard time with them circling my legs and honking and they will not leave u alone..i mean ive been chased out of my own kitchen from Hercules cuz he would not stop loving my leg....i dont know about u but i cant deal with it..and im not sure about his peeing issues but ive been peed on alot ..ick...also his pee wont smell as strong if hes neutered...i dont know of any other way to "fix" his courting with you prob but to neuter him...i have rescued older females and male buns and have had no prob getting them fixed at that age...also im not sure about the longevity of his courting times cuz i get them fixed right away....after uve been peed on or ur holding him and u see his peepee out ...thats when ive had enough....

 

[Amy27]

I can't really help with males since I have two females. But my one rabbit Chase, who is about 6 years old, went through two bladder surgeries last year and came out fine. So I think as long as you find a rabbit savvy vet, you would be okay.

 

[funnybunnymummy]

2 1/2 is not too old to get a bunny neutered. The surgery is not very invasive and boys heal up very quick (within a week or so). As long as your bun has no other health problems (obesity, heart issues, etc.), there's no reason he shouldn't be able to get neutered.

The vet should do a health check priorto doing the surgery. Just make sure they have lots of rabbit experience.

Hope that helps!

Rue

 

[pumpkinhead]

Toby was not neutered until about 1.5 yrs and he was fine, if that is any assurance

Seconding what is said above - for males it is not a very major surgery; as long as he is healthy he should be fine.

 

[JadeIcing]

In the rescue we have bunnies male and female fixed at up to 8yrs old.

 

[michellexgix]

Flash Gordon wrote:

i dont know how anybody can live with an intact male house bunny...i have a very hard time with them circling my legs and honking and they will not leave u alone..i mean ive been chased out of my own kitchen from Hercules cuz he would not stop loving my leg....i dont know about u but i cant deal with it..and im not sure about his peeing issues but ive been peed on alot ..ick...also his pee wont smell as strong if hes neutered...i dont know of any other way to "fix" his courting with you prob but to neuter him...i have rescued older females and male buns and have had no prob getting them fixed at that age...also im not sure about the longevity of his courting times cuz i get them fixed right away....after uve been peed on or ur holding him and u see his peepee out ...thats when ive had enough....

Just wondering what age does they start doing this at?

 

[Nancy McClelland]

all of ours get neutered. They are rescues, so some of them are older than 4 when we had it done--no problems at all.

 

[myfirstbunny]

Thanks everyone! You have put my concerns at ease. I really appreciate all the feedback and will be neutering Milkshake as soon as I find a good rabbit veterinarian on Cape Cod. If anyone knows of one please let me know... Again thank you!

 

[Flash Gordon]

michellexgix wrote:

Flash Gordon wrote:

i dont know how anybody can live with an intact male house bunny...i have a very hard time with them circling my legs and honking and they will not leave u alone..i mean ive been chased out of my own kitchen from Hercules cuz he would not stop loving my leg....i dont know about u but i cant deal with it..and im not sure about his peeing issues but ive been peed on alot ..ick...also his pee wont smell as strong if hes neutered...i dont know of any other way to "fix" his courting with you prob but to neuter him...i have rescued older females and male buns and have had no prob getting them fixed at that age...also im not sure about the longevity of his courting times cuz i get them fixed right away....after uve been peed on or ur holding him and u see his peepee out ...thats when ive had enough....

Just wondering what age does they start doing this at?

my smaller breeds start about 7-8 months ,i think my larger breeds did it sooner,,,it also depends on what other bunnies they are around...i have other buns that are all fixed but they still trigger them to "court" you....might not happen as quickly if they are the only pet in the house...also when u coo and ahh over them alot they start to get a little" lovey" too....ull know when it happens ...at first it will look so cute and then before u know it u cant get them away from ur leg...i have a bun(Tator Tot) prob around 7-8 months that i just rescued from a local park and he is full blown hormonal right now...ack...and hes a biter ,,so u cant turn ur back on this little dude...or let him near ur feet....driving me nutzo .,,but god is he a cutie...
michellexgix...should be happening anytime now for u ..ur bun is 7 mo.??
(keep in mind ive heard of people having no prob keeping a intact male in their house)....just kinda freaks me out especially with my giants ..when their sitting on the couch and u see their HUGE ballsack ....ack ack..ack....shoot ive had a medium breed bunny before he was neutered ...he had sacks hanging down to the floor..even my boyfriend was jealous..
'

 

[jcl_24]

Guy rabbit is unfixed at about 18 months old now. He has always been excitable and tries to hump my hand every time I fuss him (then cleans it, lol). He is sweet, hyperactive and affectionate so I don't want to change him by neutering. There is one limit though: I've told my Dad that "If Guystarts spraying me, he'll lose hisballs!"

Jo xx

 

[myfirstbunny]

His courting and humping are pretty intense. It is turning into every time he is out of his cage he is chasing me. I, too, am concerned that his personality will change when I neuter him. He is so sweet, and lovable, and active. I also want to make sure that I find a great doctor on Cape to do the surgery. I actually could live with him like this if I knew that this behavior wasn't physically harming him and that it was something that would eventually stop, may start up again but that I would get a reprieve from.

 

[Tweetiepy]

From what I've read, the behaviour does not go away with time - it's not constant, but it is there. Mine will be sitting on my lap getting brushed or petted and all of a sudden he'll rub my arms with his chin and I can hear him oinking (then it's time to go back into his cage - at which point my arms are now the bullseye for his advances) Poor bunny that's all he can think of!

I read (but haven't experienced it yet since Peaches is going in for a chopping soon) that they get nicer and more docile after a "fixing" (sorry can't remember which one boys get done). I'm hoping this is true too, cuz he's like a dog that lets the kids do anything to him, he likes to be brushed and petted and scratched around his face. He's a sweetie and I hope he only gets better once he's fixed - cuz the pee spraying is driving me nuts.

 

[Luvr of Wabbits and Polar Bears]

myfirstbunny wrote:

T find a good rabbit veterinarian on Cape Cod. If anyone knows of one please let me know... Again thank you!

Have you seen this link http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=11608&forum_id=9