Vet’s Tip: Rabbit Care – Neutering and vaccinating
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neutered rabbit is a happy and healthy rabbit! Neutering of our fluffy friends is often not thought about as much as getting our dogs and cats castrated or spayed. But neutering has many benefits. Rabbits love to live in pairs, or groups. Castrated males are much less aggressive and territorial. They are less likely to mark their territory by urine spraying, and they are less like to dig, chew, and generally be destructive. It is also impossible for them to go on to father babies! Neutered females are also much friendlier but it also has health benefits. It prevents uterine cancers and they are much less likely to get mammary cancers too. Around 80% of un-spayed females will go on to develop uterine tumours after the age of 5 years. Males can be
castrated from around 4 months, females can be spayed from 5 months. Another important aspect of keeping rabbits is having them vaccinated. There are two vaccines available – Myxomatosis, and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD). Myxomatosis is a virus that causes a nasty upper respiratory infection. Sticky eye discharge, snotty noses and facial swellings are signs that often progress to a horrible slow, often fatal, disease. It is spread by fleas, other biting insects and of course contact with infected rabbits. VHD is a disease that is almost 100% fatal. Infected rabbits develop high temperatures, refuse to eat, internal bleeding and often fit. In both diseases, prevention is much better than cure. Vet’s tip provided by Louise Gardiner, Vet Nurse, West Lothian Pet Sitters
LAMOND veterinary CLINIC
15 minute consultations by appointment Puppy socialisation classes offered Bankton Square, Murieston Tel: 01506 461462 Email: info@lamondvet.co.uk www.lamondvetclinic.com
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