Rabbit question - how tell if castrated apart from the obvious

RE: Rabbit question - how tell if castrated apart from the obvious

Linda Filshie — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 14:52:07 GMT

If only there was a charitable organisation, one with animal welfare as its core purpose, which could step up and advocate for this poor rabbit not to undergo unnecessary surgery. Oh, wait...

RE: Rabbit question - how tell if castrated apart from the obvious

vetbl.locum — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 22:30:55 GMT

Then let them ..............

As vets we seem to be bullied and afraid that that clients will go elsewhere if we do not do what they demand however unreasonable.

I stopped accepting work from RSPCA years ago as they rarely paid their bills and cause far too much hassle

Yet they still phone to see if we are willing to see xyz

They are ones with "very little sense"

Rgds

RE: Rabbit question - how tell if castrated apart from the obvious

Sarah Keir — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 09:12:52 GMT

This is the RSPCA we are talking about... very little sense about what they do/think. I will argue the case but they will just take the rabbit somewhere else to do their bidding.

RE: Rabbit question - how tell if castrated apart from the obvious

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 20:14:47 GMT

Did you check that she knows the rabbit will be sterile anyway? Seems obvious to us...but maybe she doesn't know? Struggling to understand why it matters so much to her...

I wonder if she insists on a blood test or ex lap to check on male cats and dogs without any testis...???

RE: Rabbit question - how tell if castrated apart from the obvious

Sarah Keir — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 18:28:54 GMT

I will refuse to do surgery on him but the RSPCA lady was so insistent that I think she will just take the rabbit somewhere else, possibly somewhere that wouldn't give analgesia as standard, intubate, fluids etc

RE: Rabbit question - how tell if castrated apart from the obvious

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 11:33:37 GMT

[quote user="Sarah Keir"]If the RSPCA is so insistent on knowing then looks like will need an invasive ex lap![/quote]

....so every RSPCA rehomed male rabbit needs an ex lap to confirm castrated vs bilateral cryptorchid?

I'm sorry but this sounds ridiculous to me, and I think I'd be likely to refuse to put the rabbit through unnecessary surgery.

RE: Rabbit question - how tell if castrated apart from the obvious

Sarah Keir — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 11:07:41 GMT

I've phoned PALS and IDEXX and neither offer one or offer advice on whether could use dog/cat protocol and tests. If the RSPCA is so insistent on knowing then looks like will need an invasive ex lap!

RE: Rabbit question - how tell if castrated apart from the obvious

Sarah Keir — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 10:53:50 GMT

Thanks Marie, I'll find out how much it costs!

RE: Rabbit question - how tell if castrated apart from the obvious

Marie Kubiak — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 16:39:17 GMT

Castrated males tend to develop a shorter/wider penis (which can make them look more female) as well as the testicular absence! PALS (www.palsvetlab.co.uk) have previously offered endocrine stimulation tests to check for retained testes.

Marie

RE: Rabbit question - how tell if castrated apart from the obvious

Gillian Mostyn — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 16:22:41 GMT

In my experience cryptorchid rabbits are pretty rare (I assume due to their open inguinal ring) so I think a bilaterally cryptorchid rabbit would be pretty unlikely. Besides which, as he'll be infertile, does it matter???

However, I can't see why a testosterone assay, same as in any other male animal, wouldn't be a valid test?