Question on Neutering/Spaying a rabbit

[CritterCatcher]

Hi guys/gals

Ok so as most know here, I am fairly new to rabbits...

I had a lady call last night and wants to buy one of my baby NZ for a pet...I have no problem with that..but she asked me how old the bunny should be to take it to the vet and have it FIXED.

I have never had one fixed. (neutered/spayed) so question is...HOW OLD DOES THE RABBIT NEED TO BE TO HAVE IT NEUTERED?
CC

 

[ladysown]

just before they reach adulthood.

What size rabbit? Generally speaking 4-6 months.

 

[CritterCatcher]

just before they reach adulthood.

What size rabbit? Generally speaking 4-6 months.

sorry i should of said that they are NZ babys..only 3 weeks old...she had pick of the litter....but there not leaving there mother of a couple weeks yet...she wants the one baby no mater if its a boy or girl and wanted to know if it turns out its a boy then how old should it be before she gets it fixed...

 

[ladysown]

five months is what I'd suggest.

 

[CritterCatcher]

thank you
CC

 

[luvabunny]

Some vets have a preference for what age they prefer to spay a dog or cat. I would assume it would be the same way for rabbits.

I suggest she first find a rabbit knowledgeable vet, and then ask the vet at what age they prefer to do the surgery.

IME, I prefer not to give advice such as this to potential buyers, as it can always backfire on you. If the rabbit dies in surgery, which apparently is a fairly common occurrence, the buyer can blame you, because they followed your advice yet the rabbit still died. This leaves you open to responsibility and replacement for something entirely not your fault.

Just my 2 cents....

 

[Dood]

:yeahthat: I always tell buyers to follow their vets advice on spaying and neutering and that it is usually between 4 and 6 months.

 

[michaels4gardens]

I used to "neuter" some of my rabbits at 8 weeks, to be sold at a pet store, I held them a week to make sure they were healed up, then shipped them, -- after a while I decided to make the owners take them to a vet and have it done, if they wanted it done-- for 2 reasons, 1 --I hate doing it, -- and 2 --I had several complain about their rabbit not breeding, after buying a "fixed" rabbit, --the sign in the pet store clearly said the rabbits were all male-- and Neutered.

 

[BlueMoods]

I agree, just tell her to ask her vet, and to be sure the vet is familiar with rabbits. The vet can tell her the age and risks involved. I don't alter any of mine either. If I sell one and the owner asks, I just tell them that I don't do that to my animals and, they have to ask a vet.