how many weeks should babies nurse?

Question
QUESTION: Our "spayed" lionshead gave birth 7 weeks ago to 4 kits. 3 live and vigorous 2males and 1 female we think. How long do the babies ideally need to nurse before we re-spay the mom? How long does the mom need to be quiet and by herself to recover? how old should the babies be before they are altered?

ANSWER: Dear Orah,


Congratulations?  :(

I hope this article will help with the situation:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/surpriselitter.html

Babies need a full 8 weeks of mother's milk to avoid potentially lethal intestinal problems, so they should be close to ready for weaning, which mom will probably do herself.

Once she's had a week or so to recover, have your trusted rabbit vet give her a wellness exam and determine whether she's ready for a *real* spay this time.  You can find a good vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Hope this helps!

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you, we have a follow up question: first, when can the babies be spayed?
2. We have a 3year six month (42 monthes)old male cross between a dwarf white with black spots and the other half is wild bunny, is he too old to be neutered? What are the risks for him to be neutered at this age?

Answer
Dear Orah,

Male rabbits can be neutered as soon as the testicles descend, which can be anytime from the age of 2 months, onward.

I like to wait a little longer for females to be spayed, since estrogen plays a very important role in proper skeletal development.  Once a bunny is spayed, she will start to lose bone density (though this can happen very slowly, once she's mature).  So I like to be sure the skeleton is fully formed before we spay, if possible.  That means preferably no younger than 8 months.

I know many people spay younger than that.  But I still wouldn't spay a bunny younger than 6 months, for safety reasons.  As long as the males are neutered, the females can wait.  Please also see:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/spay.html

I hope this helps.

Dana