Why is it important?
There are a number of different health and behavioural conditions that entire buck (male) and doe (female) rabbits suffer from that can be avoided (or at least minimised) by neutering. In general, a neutered rabbit is actually a happier rabbit... and there are less of them too!
Benefit 1 - Population Control
Rabbits breed like, well rabbits! In an ideal situation (unlimited food, no predators), in just seven years, a pair of rabbits could produce as many as 184 billion descendants! Of course, such a situation cannot exist in nature - so most of those bunnies would die of starvation or disease. Not only is a neutered rabbit unable to breed, but they lack the desire to - and as a result, it isn't necessary to separate them.
Benefit 2 - Increased Wellbeing
If you keep a buck with a doe, they'll breed incessantly (see above...). However, if you keep a pair of does together, they'll usually fight; and a pair of bucks will fight so much they'll often kill each other. You may be able to keep two sisters or two brothers in the same pen, but not always. However, if you separate them, they usually pine - rabbits are social animals who need to live in groups. A neutered pair, however, of either sex, usually get along just fine, as the hormones that drive aggression are lost along with their ovaries or testicles.
Benefit 3 - Avoiding Behavioural Problems
Aggressive does and bucks are known to attack people; bucks may also attempt to mount any animal that comes their way (including guinea pigs and even cats). Additionally, entire rabbits tend to urine-spray. These are all generally undesirable behaviours that can be minimised or eliminated with neutering.
Benefit 4 - Preventing Disease
This is really the clinching factor. While entire bucks tend to have a shorter lifespan than their neutered brothers, it's the does where this is a MASSIVE issue. Approximately 80% of entire does will develop uterine cancer by 5 years of age; this can be a fatal condition as it is usually malignant. Once neutered, this risk disappears; and the risk of mammary (breast) cancer is also dramatically reduced.
The procedure - Bucks (the boys)
In bucks, the procedure is called castration, and involves the surgical removal of both testicles. It's relatively straightforward, although the open inguinal rings mean that your vet will be especially careful in closing the surgical wound, to prevent a hernia developing. It is usually recommended to neuter at 4-5 months of age, and the rabbit will be in for the day and go home the same evening, often with skin glue or internal sutures rather than external stitches, and two empty pouches between his back legs. However, it's important to keep him away from does post-op, as he may still have a few sperm "in storage" for up to six weeks!In bucks, the procedure is called castration, and involves the surgical removal of both testicles. It's relatively straightforward, although the open inguinal rings mean that we are especially careful in closing the surgical wound, to prevent a hernia developing. We'd usually recommend neutering at 4-5 months of age, and the rabbit will be in for the day and go home the same evening, with skin glue rather than stitches and two empty pouches between his back legs. However, it's important to keep him away from does post-op, as he may still have a few sperm "in storage" for up to six weeks!
The procedure - Does (the girls)
In does, the procedure is called a "spay", or an "ovariohysterectomy". It involves the surgical removal of both ovaries and the uterus; and isn usually carried out ata bout 5-6 months old. We usually clip a patch on the belly, and make an incision along the midline; this is, again, closed with glue to minimise nibbling!
In conclusion...
A neutered rabbit lives a longer, happier and healthier life. As a result, we STRONGLY advise neutering on humane and population grounds, unless you specifically want to keep a rabbit for breeding purposes.
