rabbit spraying

Question
I have a male rabbit who is 1 year old and has a habit of spraying. The vet will not consider neutering him as he has a long term brain condition which is controlled by medication, please could you suggest any alternative remedies to neutering to reduce the spraying or hormones?

Answer
Hi Sarah,

as far as I know there is no other option.  Spraying is a hormonal function.  You reduce the hormones to reduce spraying.  You reduce the hormones by neutering.  There is no pill that I am aware of that cuts a male rabbit's hormone levels.

Have you thought about getting a second opinion by another good rabbit vet?  There are many rabbits that have chronic problems and on medications that have medical procedures and surgeries where anesthetic is required and pull through fine.

I would think if he's in otherwise good health, and young with a good internal strength reserve, he could have this done by a good rabbit vet (not all are).

I don't know what he's got, and I am not a vet.  Your current vet says he would not want to do a neuter on him.  That doesn't mean another good rabbit vet with an extremely high track record of success, may say he's a good candidate for neutering despite the problem, or they may say that his particular medical issue makes him a bad risk for surgery.  Either way you'd get a second opinion that would either confirm your regular vet, or give you something to think about.

To find a good rabbit vet in your area go to:

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

to find a House Rabbit Society recommended vet near you.

Let me know how it turns out.  Lee