Hi,

I've googled and come up with nothing to answer this question.

Yesterday I took my rabbit to be neutered and when I got him back the back of one of his ears was shaved.

I'm not sure he's been neutered. The nurse said he should stop his naughty behaviour for at least last night why he was still drowsy from the op. Got him home, he ran round, played with all his toys and peed on the sofa!

She also said to worry if he doesn't eat. He didn't eat much of his food last night and has only eaten 2 bits of his food today... Although he has eaten some storage box, the door, carpet and some wallpaper. So much for neutering calming him down

They shave the ear so it's easier to get to the vein for the needle...the veins in their ears are the best to go for when they're giving them any kind of meds and the shaving just makes it easier and less stressful for the animal as they need less attempts to get meds into a jumpy bun

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Staffy x Lab almost 10...Fizz
Ginger Tom 2 1/2...Tilly
Bichon x King charles spanel 1 yr 10 months
Latest addition Tex the black shep 11 1/2 years foster pooch
How can I forget my fish..i have 13 tropical fish too...err...2 cats 2 neon and one lemon tetra...2 err...will have to go look and get back on that one i can't remember the names lol
My Dogs are the centre of my world
RIP Dolly Sadly Passed away 7pm 6/3.2011

I did think that originally, but was confused as my last rabbit I had neutered it was put in his leg.

For a moment I thought the vet had shaved his ear ready to do an op and realised they'd got the wrong rabbit!

Oh Bless, no don't worry it all depends on which vet it is...all vets have their own preferences....the veins in a bunny ear are pretty much the easiest to get to so many vets prefer them....he'll probably spend the next few days eating everything he shouldn't just to get you back for removing his manhood lol

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Staffy x Lab almost 10...Fizz
Ginger Tom 2 1/2...Tilly
Bichon x King charles spanel 1 yr 10 months
Latest addition Tex the black shep 11 1/2 years foster pooch
How can I forget my fish..i have 13 tropical fish too...err...2 cats 2 neon and one lemon tetra...2 err...will have to go look and get back on that one i can't remember the names lol
My Dogs are the centre of my world
RIP Dolly Sadly Passed away 7pm 6/3.2011

dont worry he will still be naughty for a few weeks yet then he should settel down

I didn't know until yesterday, when I spoke to the lady that I got him from, that after neutering rabbits can retain sperm for up to 4 weeks. I knew it wouldn't be gone straight away but I didn't know it was that long.

I've heard that it's 6 weeks, but I'm not a rabbit person really so I might be wrong.

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Adopted by:

Ginge - Abby guinea piggy
Bubbles - English crested piggy
Mackenzie - English crested piggy
Skit - Standard (but cute) piggy
Max - Ragdoll x cat
The Rainbow Fish
Rest in peace my lovely furfamily that are no longer with us.

His hormones should calm down 6-8 weeks after his neuter, and yes sperm can still remain alive for 4 weeks.
I would ask why they shaved his ears if I was you, I have had many neuters and spays here and the only bun that had his ear shaved was Bluey when he needed fluids after the neuter.
Rabbits should be neutered under gas as chemical GA is very dangerous.
Personally I would be questioning the vet as I see no reason for your rabbit to have his ear shaved during a normal neuter

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I agree with Bernie, rabbits should be gassed rather than injected. Gas is much safer and as soon as the iso is switched off the rabbit wakes almost instanty. It is horrible seeing them struggle in the box as the gas takes affect though from my vet nursing days, they fight to get out and as soon as they're asleep in the box its litterally a matter of seconds to get the mask on them before they wake up.

The only time any of mine have had the ear shaved is Rosie when she had fluids and others for the PTS drug.

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strange I have just read this and was thinking my rabbits never had shaved ears or injections through there ears
Ani-Medics Veterinary Centre - Taunton, Somerset TA1 2DX - Archie's incisor extraction
luckily my rabbits are registered elsewhere I was just reading

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