Rabbit Spay & Neuter Surgery 2025: Comprehensive Vet Guide 🐾🩺

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Hello! I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. Spaying and neutering your rabbit is one of the most impactful health decisions you can make as a guardian. In 2025, these procedures will be safer and better understood than ever—especially when performed by rabbit-savvy vets. This in-depth guide explains the benefits, surgical steps, post‑operative care, pain management, behavioral improvements, and bonding tips. With support from Ask A Vet, we'll ensure your bunny's surgery and recovery are calm, comfortable, and compassionate. Let’s begin 🐰💙

1. 🎯 Why Spay/Neuter Your Rabbit?

• Prevent uterine cancer: By age 4–5, up to 80% of unspayed females develop uterine adenocarcinoma, often aggressive and invasive.
• Health benefits: Spaying/neutering increases longevity, lowers stress, improves immunity.
• Behavioral improvements: Less spraying, mounting, and aggression; more calm, affectionate, and easier to bond.
• Population control: Prevents unwanted litters—even same-sex siblings may be incorrectly sexed.

2. 🗓️ When Should It Be Done?

• Females: Typically spayed at 4–6 months, or up to 12 months—some vets prefer waiting 6–12 months.
• Males: Neutered when testicles descend (8–12 weeks) or by 4 months.
• Choosing the timing depends on health, lifestyle, and veterinary guidance.

3. 🏥 Finding a Rabbit-Savvy Veterinarian

• Rabbits need specialized care. A “small mammal” or exotic vet has the right experience.
• Check resources such as the House Rabbit Society and local exotic vet listings to find qualified providers.
• Vet's experience significantly lowers surgical and anesthetic risk.

4. 🔬 Pre-Surgical Preparation

• No fasting: Rabbits must eat continuously—fasting increases risk of GI stasis.
• Health check: Vet exam and baseline bloodwork—especially for older rabbits.
• Home preparation: Set up a warm, quiet recovery area with soft bedding and easy access to food, hay, water, and litter.

5. 🛠️ Surgical Procedure Explained

5.1 Spaying (Females)

• Performed under general anesthesia with full vital monitoring.
• Incision made midline; ovaries and uterus removed; surgical layers closed, often with dissolvable sutures or tissue glue.

5.2 Neutering (Males)

• Smaller surgery—testicles removed via scrotal incision; antimicrobial monitoring continues.
• Sutures or glue are used; recovery is quicker than spays.

6. 🛋️ Post-Operative Care & Recovery

• Monitor recovery: Keep rabbit warm overnight; snuggle in towels or heating pads wrapped for comfort.
• Encourage eating: Ensure hay, pellets, veggies, and fresh water are available—lack of eating within 24 hours is an emergency.
• Limit movement: Use a smaller enclosure—females heal in ~2–4 days, males in 24–48 hours; limit exercise for ~10 days.
• Check the incision: Inspect daily for redness, swelling, discharge, or biting. No bandages or ointments needed.
• Pain meds: Administer as prescribed—usually for 3–5 days; female rabbits typically need longer pain relief.
• Follow-up visit: ~7–10 days post-op to check healing and remove sutures if needed.

7. ❤️ Behavioral Benefits & Bonding

• Females: No heat cycles, reduced aggression and territoriality.
• Males: Less spraying, mounting, aggression—easier litter training.
• Bonding: Bonding is smoother ~6 weeks after surgery when hormones subside.

8. 🔍 Red Flags: When to Contact Your Vet Immediately

• No eating or pooping by 24 hours post-op
• Signs of pain: grinding teeth, hiding, restlessness
• Incision issues: redness, swelling, discharge, bleeding
• Lethargy, breathing difficulties, fever, loss of appetite
• Signs of hypothermia, especially post-anesthesia.

9. 🧩 Ask A Vet Support

• Ask A Vet: Telehealth consultations to guide pre-op prep, post-op feeding, pain relief, and wound care.

10. 📝 Final Thoughts

Rabbit spay and neuter surgeries in 2025 are vital health steps to prevent cancer, reduce unwanted behaviors, and improve bonding, especially when conducted by experienced exotic vets. With thorough pre-op planning, careful post-op monitoring, and pain management, most rabbits recover fully within days. Support tools like Ask A Vet telehealth, wishing your bunny a stress-free surgery, and a happy, healthy future! 🐾💙

Ready to book your rabbit’s surgery or need help managing post-op care? Visit AskAVet.com. Your bunny’s well-being is our top priority. 🌟