Rabbit Desexing

rabbit DESEXING

At The Wild Vet, rabbit desexing is one of the essential surgical procedures we offer. Desexing, also known as surgical sterilization, prevents rabbits from reproducing. This procedure is recommended for all female rabbits and most males to reduce the risk of reproductive tumors later in life. For males, the surgery involves removing the testicles through a small incision. For females, the reproductive organs are removed through an abdominal incision. Please note that desexing is irreversible for both males and females.

Benefits of Rabbit Desexing

Desexing offers many benefits beyond preventing unwanted litters:

  • Males: Undesexed males often display unwanted behaviors like urine spraying and aggression.
  • Females: Up to 80% of female rabbits develop cervical cancer by the time they are 4 years old if not desexed. They may also show aggressive behaviors similar to males.
Ideal Age for Rabbit Desexing

The ideal age to desex your rabbit depends on their breed, size, and your goals for preventing reproduction. Generally, we recommend desexing between 3-6 months of age. However, it’s best to discuss your rabbit’s specific needs with one of our veterinarians.

Preparing Your Rabbit for Surgery

  • Fasting: Do not fast your rabbit before surgery! They need access to food and water until the procedure. Bring some of their favorite foods to encourage eating during their stay.
  • Moral Support: If your rabbit has a bonded companion, we recommend bringing them along. Having their friend nearby can reduce stress before and after surgery.
  • Pre-Anaesthetic Blood Tests: Before anaesthesia, a veterinarian will perform a physical exam to ensure your rabbit is well enough for the procedure. We also recommend pre-anaesthetic blood tests. These tests can reveal issues like dehydration, infection, electrolyte, liver or kidney issues that might increase surgical risks.
  • Vaccination and Parasite Control: Ensure your rabbit’s calicivirus vaccination is up to date. If not, we may need to reschedule the surgery or isolate your rabbit during their stay, which could incur additional costs. We also recommend current parasite prevention. If you’re unsure of recommendations, please contact us for confirmation.

What to Expect on the Day of Surgery

We schedule admission appointments between 9 AM and 10 AM on the day of surgery. During this time, a nurse will review your rabbit’s health and ask you to sign an anaesthetic consent form. This form outlines the risks involved in any surgical procedure. If you have concerns, please reach out to us for more information.

New patients will need a consultation with one of our exotic vets before surgery. This consultation covers nutrition, behaviour, parasite control, and a full physical exam; and ensures your pet is fit to undergo surgery. Please note, this consult incurs an additional fee.

Fees

Our Fees Include:
  • Pre-anaesthetic examination with one of our experienced rabbit vets
  • Anaesthesia, including extensive monitoring with an experienced nurse (oxygenation, blood pressure, temperature, ECG, carbon dioxide)
  • Intravenous fluids throughout the procedure.
  • Intubation: to maximise safety, all rabbits are intubated for surgery. This means that a breathing tube is inserted into their airway rather than relying on an anaesthetic mask.
  • Pain relief: in addition to injectable pain relief, we also use local anaesthesia to ensure their recovery is as comfortable as possible. Take-home pain relief is also included in the price of desexing
  • Post-operative syringe feeding: to ensure their gut keeps moving, rabbits are syringe fed as soon as they are awake enough
  • Hospitalisation: the cost of hospitalisation (up to 24 hours) is included in the desexing price
  • Post-operative check: we offer complimentary post-operative checks to ensure your rabbit is healing well from surgery.
Prices:
  • Female Rabbits: $600 (please note that for mature or obese rabbits, there may be a small surcharge).
  • Male Rabbits: $400
  • Pre-Anaesthetic Blood Testing: basic pre-anaesthetic blood testing is $250, and comprehensive blood testing (which includes liver function, electrolytes and more) is $318

A deposit is required to secure the appointment, and any remaining fees must be paid in full before your rabbit is discharged.

Recovering from Surgery

Most rabbits stay with us overnight for observation. We closely monitor them for 24 hours post-surgery to watch for gut stasis, a common complication. If necessary, we’ll provide critical care feeds every 4 hours (excluding the time when we are closed overnight), and administer pain relief as needed. Should any signs of gut stasis appear, we may recommend an extended stay. Of course, we will keep you updated every step of the way, and ensure that you receive plenty of photo updates!

Discharge Instructions

Upon discharge, you’ll receive detailed instructions via email. Our veterinary nurses will answer any questions about post-operative care. We’ll show you how to administer pain relief at home and ensure you’re comfortable with aftercare. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to check your rabbit’s incision 10 days after surgery.

Pet Pick-Up and Home Care

When you pick up your rabbit, they should be behaving normally. If they seem unwell after you get home, please contact us immediately. Keep your rabbit in a quiet, warm environment during recovery (7-10 days). Monitor their appetite and fecal output closely, as gut stasis can quickly become life-threatening. If your rabbit isn’t eating or defecating normally, seek veterinary advice right away.

Ready to Book?

If you’re ready to book, or if you have any questions, give us a call on 1300 WILD VET (1300 945 383)