Pet Information > ASK Experts > Exotic Pets > Rabbits > Male castration

Male castration

22 11:38:14

Question
Can a male rabbit be banded like cattle with the little rubber bands instead of the surgical removal of the testicles?  If they can would you recommend both in one band or a band on each?  I can't seem to get a good answer from the local vets.  Thanks

Answer
Dear Kent,

Banding would be an exceedingly painful and cruel method of neutering for a rabbit.  I would not be surprised if a rabbit subjected to this form of torture were to go into ileus--a life-threatening physiological response to pain/stress--from the stress of it.  I would under NO circumstances do this to a rabbit.  (It's not very nice for cattle, either.  Can you imagine what it would feel like for someone to do this to you?  Other mammals are no less innervated in this delicate areas than humans are.)

Please read:

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

and find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

who can (preferably) do a pre-scrotal neuter, which is the least invasive and least painful way to do this procedure.

I hope this helps.  Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana