Welcome to Bunny Bunch S.P.C.R.

Spaying and Neutering Rabbits

Currently we do not have a low cost spay or neuter program at the Burrow or through The Bunny Bunch.

Coming Soon!

What to do before your rabbit goes to be spayed or neutered 

How to care for your rabbit after spay or neuter

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Low Cost Spay and Neuter Veterinarians

The vets below offer low cost spay/neuter.  When calling for pricing make sure you ask them to include the price of take home pain medications.

Remember when using low cost spay/neuter not all the same services are performed.  Check with each medical office for details.

Brookhaven Pet Hospital 10092 Chapman Dr, Suite 5 Garden Grove, CA  92840 714-530-2200

Animal Medical Center 16548 Harbor Blvd. Fountain Valley, CA  92708 714-531-1155

Please note: If you rabbit is sick or older take your rabbit to a regular rabbit knowledgeable veterinarian. Click here for our approved list.

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Reasons why you should have your rabbit spayed or neutered

1. Male and female rabbits that are not spayed or neutered can start spraying urine to mark their territory when they start becoming hormonal at about four months old.   
    

2. Unspayed female rabbits can get uterine cancer at an early age.
    

3. Spayed or neutered rabbits that live in the house on the proper diet have a life span of 10-13 years.
    

4. Unspayed/unneutered rabbits that live outside have an average life span of around 3 years.
    

5. Many behavioral problems are a result of a rabbit not being spayed or neutered, such as lunging, boxing, grunting, biting, not using the litterbox, not wanting to be held, and trying to escape from their living quarters.
    

6. Spayed or neutered rabbits are much more likely to use their litter box.
    

7. There are many rabbit knowledgeable vets that perform spay and neuter on rabbits.  Check out our vet referral list.
    

8. Rabbits should always live with at least one other rabbit. Rabbits that are spayed or neutered are much easier to bond, plus there will be no unwanted litters.
    

9. Your relationship with your rabbit will be a happy, healthy one.
    

10. Every day rabbits are killed at shelters due to the huge overpopulation. By spaying or neutering you rabbit you are helping to put an end to this.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF SPAYING AND NEUTERING YOUR RABBIT
By Jenna Schissler

What is the key to helping your rabbit live longer, stay healthy and have a happy life (besides living inside your home)? The key is to spay and neuter!

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to spay and neuter your rabbit(s) and there are so many reasons why you should. If you love your bunny then spaying or neutering him/her is the best thing you could do for your furry little friend. Also, if you want your bunny around for as long as possible, then all the more reason to spay and neuter your beloved companion.

WHAT IS A SPAY AND NEUTER

A spay (ovariohysterectomy) and neuter (orchidectomy) also known as castration, is removal of the reproductive organs of a female and male rabbit. In a male rabbit, once these organs have been removed semen still remains in accessory tissues left in the male rabbit for approximately 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. Recently neutered males should not be bonded with unspayed females until such time has elapsed. Having said that, it is best to have both rabbits that you plan to bond spayed and neutered prior to bonding as raging hormones can make a rabbit much more aggressive and bonding extremely difficult.

REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD SPAY AND NEUTER

Prevention of Pregnancy: Animal shelters are inundated with rabbits that desperately need homes. Adding to the over population of rabbits by not spaying or neutering your rabbit is not only irresponsible, it is the reason why so many shelter rabbits are euthanized every day.

NOTE: Rabbit spays and neuters should only be done by a rabbit knowledgeable veterinarian that is skilled in rabbit medicine and surgery and has many years of experience. Do Not have just any veterinarian spay or neuter your rabbit.

Prevention of False Pregnancies: Although false pregnancies are not usually medically harmful to rabbits, they can be extremely stressful on your rabbit and stress can lead to serious medical problems. False pregnant females will normally go through the same activities as if pregnant, i.e., milk production, nest building and aggression towards you and other rabbits and/or pets. Often times a false pregnancy will cause a decrease in appetite which can lead to a very serious problem known as Gastrointestinal Stasis. If your bunny should go into GI stasis, she will have to be seen by a rabbit knowledgeable veterinarian as soon as possible. NEVER let this go untreated.

Prevention of Uterine Cancer; Uterine Disease, Mammary Gland Disease and Testicular Cancer: Uterine Adenocarcinoma is a malignant uterine cancer that strikes approximately 80% of all unspayed females. This type of cancer can also spread to other parts of the body, so consult with your veterinarian on the best age to spay your bunny. Uterine cancer is seen more often in rabbits around 2 years of age and older, so it’s best to have your rabbit spayed as early as possible. Also, young rabbits bounce back after surgery much quicker then older rabbits, which is critically important. Pain medication is very important and is an absolute must after all spays because a spay (ovariohysterectomy) is the equivalent to a human hysterectomy.

The longer you put off spaying your rabbit, the more prone your rabbit is to developing uterine cancer which in many cases is untreatable. Rabbits can be spayed/neutered as early as 4 - 6 months but your veterinarian will decide what age is best.

Although cancer is the most common form of disease in unspayed females, there are many forms of uterine disease as well: Pyometra (infected uterus full of pus); uterine aneurysm (uterus full of blood); and endometritis (inflamed uterine lining).

Mammary gland disease is not all that common but it can happen especially in unspayed females and it is very difficult to treat once it occurs. The most common type of mammary cancer is a malignant form called mammary carcinoma and is almost always associated with uterine cancer.

Testicular cancer in unaltered males, although not nearly as common as uterine cancer in unspayed females, can and does happen. In fact, we’re starting to hear of more and more cases of testicular cancer in unaltered males.

Prevention of Aggressive Behavior: Ah yes, this is all the more reason to spay and neuter. Unaltered rabbits, once they reach maturity, can literally become Count BUNicula or BUNzilla. Aggression in unaltered rabbits is very real and once your rabbit has reached sexual maturity you may start noticing some definite behavioral changes that are less-than-desirable. Some of the changes you may notice are:

1. Your rabbit starts to nip or bite you

2. No longer wants to be handled or touched

3. May become very territorial

4. Acts like he/she wants to destroy everything around him

5. Starts fighting with his/her furry companion(s)

6. Aggressive charging, lunging and growling at you and other pets

7. Loss of good litter box habits

Before my Minky was spayed, she would charge me with teeth and claws as I would try to enter her domain. I swore that I had a true BUNzilla before I realized it was just her raging hormones. After Minky was spayed and her hormones calmed down, she became a real honey bunny.

If your rabbit is exhibiting any of these personality/behavioral changes, this means it may be time to spay or neuter. Consult with your veterinarian.

Prevention of Urine Spraying: Once a rabbit reaches sexual maturity (4-6 months), they may start spraying their urine all over the place to mark their territory. Males tend to spray more often then females, but females will also spray. Rabbit urine is very acidic and will stain, also the urine odor of unaltered rabbits is much stronger then that of altered rabbits and can be unpleasant. If this spraying behavior is allowed to go on for any length of time, it may be very difficult to break your rabbit from this habit. So nip this behavior in the bud and spay and neuter your rabbit(s) before it becomes a really big problem.