bunny noises and neutering

Question
my bunny makes a wheezing noise when ever it gets excited. is this normal? also, is it true that if you dont neuter your rabbit, it will have a shorter life? if so, where is the best place to get my bunny neutered?

Answer
Dear Leah,

Many bunnies will vocalize and "sing" when they are happy or sexually aroused.  The noise has been variously described as "honking," "oinking," "buzzing," and maybe even "wheezing."  It's a happy sound.  :)

Neutering a male rabbit will prevent testicular cancer, though this is admittedly not nearly as common as uterine cancer in females.  Neutering a male is done primarily to reduce objectionable behaviors such as spraying, mounting, and aggression.  It's true that neutered animals generally live longer than intact ones, and tend to have fewer health problems, but this is a statistical "reality" that might not apply to every individual.

If you get your bunny neutered, the best side effect is that he'll then be able to select a mate from among the spayed females at your local rabbit rescuer's foster home.  Bonding intact rabbits is nearly impossible.  For more information, please read:

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

It's important to have a vet who is experienced with *rabbits*, and you can find one in your area here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

The information there will not only point you to a vet, but also give you good questions to ask the vet, so you'll know you're making the right decisions.

Hope this helps!

Dana