Don’t skip the snip
We have recently acquired two baby rabbits. Our vet has checked them and, as they are a male and female, we need to neuter them both soon. Could we get away with just neutering the male now and the female later when she is older?
AThe simple answer is no. Female rabbits become reproductively active from around 16 weeks, which is the best time for them to be neutered. Males can be neutered a little earlier at 12-14 weeks.
However, even after neutering there is a lag period of six to eight weeks during which male rabbits are still fertile.
Rabbit owners may run into problems because they were wrongly informed of the sex of newly-acquired rabbits.
The earliest and best time to determine the sex of rabbits is when they are six weeks of age. Before that it can be less easy, leading to the risk of unwanted litters.
I agree with your vet’s advice to neuter both your rabbits at the same time. Vets will also often advise the companion rabbit accompanies a rabbit when visiting a veterinary clinic for any reason, as this reduces stress.
Although neutering a female rabbit can be done at any time, the procedure is much easier for the surgeon when performed at 16 weeks.
Half of female rabbits develop uterine cancer if left entire.
Neutering before six months reduces the risk of mammary cancer by 80 per cent.
Also, in both males and females aggression is much reduced by neutering. So don’t delay and make that appointment.
Q
AThis condition is called an aural haematoma and is indeed common.
It occurs when a blood vessel in the pinna (ear flap) bursts and blood leaks between the skin and cartilage.
If nothing is done the ear will shrink, with fibrous tissue replacing the blood. This results in a “cauliflower ear” and the resulting deformity not only looks unpleasant but can also cause further problems with ear infection.
In dogs it has always been assumed these are the result of head shaking due to an ear infection, or an underlying allergic skin disease.
However, a scientific article published last month has suggested another possible cause.
Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College in London accessed a very large database of dogs visiting veterinary clinics.
The yearly risk of a dog for aural haematoma was 1 in 400.
Of particular interest was that the condition was more likely in some breeds with folded semi-erect ears, for example, bull terriers. Golden retrievers were also predisposed.
Infection was only present in half the dogs.
It is thought that a weakness in the cartilage fold may cause the bleeding in older dogs.
Drainage and suturing of the affected area has a very high degree of success.
Ear problems should nevertheless not be neglected, and early attention to head shaking is particularly recommended in dogs with folded ears.