Rabbit Spay and Neuter Surgery

What Is a Rabbit Spay or Neuter Surgery?

Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures that prevent rabbits from reproducing. It’s also known as having your pet “fixed” or “altered.” Spaying (for females) involves removing the ovaries and uterus, while rabbit neutering (for males) involves removing the testicles.

Spaying and neutering are highly recommended and increasingly common procedures for pet rabbits. Many veterinarians and rabbit welfare organizations advocate for these surgeries because they provide many health and behavioral benefits. Not only do these surgeries prevent unwanted litters, but they also protect the rabbits from certain types of cancer and behavioral issues.

Anatomy of the Rabbit Reproductive System

Rabbit tissue is generally delicate, and it’s important for veterinarians to have a good understanding of bunny anatomy before performing a rabbit spay or neuter. 

The Female Rabbit Reproductive System

A female, or doe, rabbit has a bicornuate uterus, which means the uterine horns (the long tubes that connect the ovary and cervix) have separate openings into the vagina through their own cervix.

The ovaries are located near the top of the uterine horns and are responsible for producing eggs. Fertilized eggs attach to the uterine horn walls and stay there until full term at 30–32 days.

The Male Rabbit Reproductive System

The male, or buck, rabbit’s two testicles descend from the abdomen into two hairless scrotal sacs at around 10–12 weeks of age.

Bucks become fertile at around 4 months of age and are typically not considered sterile (unable to reproduce) until six weeks after castration, since there will be residual sperm in the internal tubing.

What To Expect at Your Rabbit’s Spay or Neuter Surgery

Your rabbit will be admitted into the veterinary hospital and placed in a safe cage before the procedure. If your rabbit is bonded to another rabbit, ask your veterinarian if they can come along for pre-surgical companionship.

For both bunny spays and neuters, veterinarians will first administer anesthesia, typically utilizing injectable medications, which includes pain control. This ensures your rabbit is comfortable and pain-free throughout the surgery. The fur at the surgical site will be safely removed and the skin will be cleaned and disinfected.

Unlike cats and dogs, rabbits can be fed in the hours before surgery. Their digestive system requires constant movement, and fasting can lead to serious complications, such as gastrointestinal stasis.

Rabbit Spay Surgery

During a spay procedure, your veterinarian makes a small cut in the abdomen near the belly button. The ovaries and uterus are identified and carefully removed.

Once this is done, the veterinarian will use stitches or surgical glue to close the incision. Skin staples may be used, but some bunnies find them irritating, so often there are no external sutures or staples.

Rabbit Neuter Surgery

During rabbit neutering, your veterinarian makes a small incision in the scrotal sacs or in front of the sacs. Both testicles are removed through the incision.

The veterinarian will remove the testicles and close the incision with stitches and surgical glue.

Post-Operation

After surgery, the rabbit is monitored closely as they recover from anesthesia.

Most vets, especially in shelter settings, will place an abdominal or ear tattoo. This indicates to other vets that the rabbit has been spayed or neutered. In the event the rabbit is lost or given up for adoption, this tattoo saves the bunny from undergoing an unnecessary second spay or neuter procedure.

Proper pain medications are required for rabbits after surgery, typically opioids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory  drugs such as meloxicam. 

Care and Recovery for Rabbit Spay and Neuter Surgery

For the first 24 hours after surgery, your rabbit may be groggy and sleepy as they recover from anesthesia. They may also be slightly less active than usual.

Set up a quiet, comfortable space for your rabbit to recover after surgery at home. This should be a clean, well-ventilated area such as a smaller recovery cage with soft bedding and easy access to food and water. You will most likely need to separate your rabbit from others in the household to prevent any trauma to the incision after surgery.

Make sure bonded rabbits can see and smell each other while your rabbit is healing, to minimize stress.

Your vet will provide detailed instructions for post-surgery care, including pain management, wound care, and activity restrictions. Follow these instructions carefully to ensure a smooth recovery.  

Watch your rabbit closely for any signs of complications, such as bleeding or infection. Check the incision twice daily for any signs of infection, fluid, or redness. Contact your vet immediately if you notice any concerning symptoms. Signs of pain in rabbits can include:

• Loss of appetite

• Hunched appearance

• Reluctance to move

• Lethargy

• Teeth grinding

• Grunting or excessive vocalization

Offer your rabbit plenty of love, attention, and quiet time during their recovery. Handle them with care and consider removing anything in their enclosure that could cause them harm from running or jumping, which could cause the incision to reopen.

The incision may take two to three weeks to completely heal. Always contact your veterinarian with any concerns.

Potential Complications of Rabbit Spay and Neuter Surgery

While rabbit spay and neuter surgeries are generally considered safe procedures, like any surgery, there are potential risks and complications to be aware of:

Anesthesia-Related Risks

• Adverse reactions, such as allergic (anaphylactic) reactions, changes in blood pressure and heart rates, difficulty breathing, and difficulty regulating body temperature.

• Difficulty recovering from anesthesia, such as taking longer than normal to wake up, requiring additional heat support or medications.

Surgical Risks

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Suture reactions

• Internal organ damage

• Hernias

Post-Operative Risks

• Self-trauma

• Pain and discomfort

• Gastrointestinal stasis

Fortunately, the majority of rabbit spay and neuter surgeries are completed without complications. Serious complications leading to significant injury or death are extremely rare. Non-life-threatening complications, such as suture reactions or wound infections, occur more often but are typically easy to manage.

It's important to discuss any concerns you have with your veterinarian before the surgery. They can provide further information about specific risks and how they are minimized during the procedure.

Benefits of Spaying and Neutering Rabbits

Spaying and neutering rabbits can improve a bunny’s overall quality of life by reducing health risks, unwanted behaviors, and stress related to hormonal cycles. This allows them to live a happier, longer, more comfortable life as a pet.

Rabbits undergo spay and neuter surgeries for a variety of important reasons, including:

• Preventing reproductive cancers

• Reducing aggression and territorial behavior

• Improving litter box habits

• Enabling bonding

• Preventing unwanted litters

Effectiveness of Spaying and Neutering Rabbits

The success rate for spay and neuter surgeries in rabbits is very high, especially when performed by an experienced veterinarian who specializes in exotic pets.

Both procedures are 100% effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies—but make sure to wait six weeks after surgery before allowing a male rabbit to be around a female, as residual sperm can linger in their body.

While spaying and neutering dramatically reduce the risk of cancer, depending on age at the time of alteration and genetics, it’s still possible for bunnies to develop reproductive cancers. However, this is much less likely when a rabbit is spayed or neutered, due a lack of reproductive hormones.

The same goes for behavioral issues—the procedure is most likely successful the earlier it is performed before bad behavior is present.

Cost to Spay or Neuter a Rabbit

The average cost for a rabbit spay or neuter in the U.S. is around $200–$300. This number could increase to over $500 depending on factors such as age, gender, other health conditions, and the vet’s level of expertise.

Neuters are typically less expensive than spays due to the less invasive nature of the procedure.

It's important to contact several veterinarians in your area to get specific quotes and compare prices. Additionally, consider inquiring about any potential discounts or payment plans that may be available.

Schedule a pre-surgical exam for your rabbit. The vet will assess their overall health and ensure they are fit for surgery. They may also recommend pre-surgical blood work, especially for older or unwell rabbits.  

Alternatives to Rabbit Spay and Neuter Surgery

There are a few alternatives to traditional spay and neuter surgeries in rabbits. However, they are much less common and have certain limitations. Always check with your veterinarian to determine the best method for your rabbit.

Partial Spaying

A partial spay procedure only removes the ovaries, leaving the rest of the female reproductive tract intact. This is effective against preventing pregnancy and ovarian cancer; however, it does not eliminate the risk of uterine infections or cancer.

Vasectomy

A vasectomy procedure involves cutting and sealing the vas deferens in male rabbits (the tubing that carries sperm from the testicles). This prevents pregnancy but will not eliminate hormonal-related behaviors like aggression.

Hormonal Implants/Injections

Hormonal implants or injections can suppress reproductive hormones to prevent pregnancy in rabbits. However, these methods are not always widely available in the U.S., have multiple side effects, and require repeated administration.

Gender Separation

Separating male and female rabbis is a non-surgical option to prevent pregnancy. However, it doesn’t address the health or behavioral benefits of spaying and neutering.