Spay/Neuter for Rabbits and Other Exotics in Metairie, LA

Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital of Louisiana provides spay/neuter surgeries for rabbits and other exotic small mammals in Metairie, LA and the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan area. Many female exotics, especially rabbits, can develop life-threatening medical conditions if they’re not spayed. Many male exotic pets can have chronic behavioral problems if they’re not neutered. Spaying/neutering your rabbit or other exotic pet protects them from cancer, cysts, and other health problems, and can result in a longer and happier life for them, too.

Call us at (504) 455-6386 to reserve your pet’s spay/neuter consultation with us.

Exotic pet spay and neuter in Metairie, LA
Rabbits sitting in the grass

The Importance of Rabbit Spay/Neuter in Metairie, LA

Rabbits are very productive breeders and can have up to 14 babies in a litter. It’s important to spay your female pet rabbit, because they have a much greater chance of developing uterine, ovarian, or mammary cancer when they’re kept “intact.” Spaying female rabbits also prevents aneurisms from endometriosis.

Neutering a male rabbit can curtail urine spraying, mounting, and aggressive behavior. Male rabbits are more likely to develop testicular cancer if they’re not neutered. The best time to get your rabbit “fixed” is at six months of age as this prevents these issues from occurring.

Spaying Your Female Bird

Female birds can lay many eggs with or without a male bird present, and chronic egg-laying can be harmful to their health. Egg-laying requires large amounts of calcium, which can be lacking in the diets of most pet birds. We recommend having your bird(s) tested for gender during a wellness exam. This procedure requires a simple blood test. An avian hysterectomy can prevent many issues for the chronic egg layer, but it can be a risky surgery, and we usually reserve this procedure for those who medically need it. A salpingectomy (avian hysterectomy) can help prevent many serious health issues such as:

  • An egg getting lodged in their oviduct, preventing it from passing.
  • Reproductive tract infections.
  • An egg rupturing in their stomach.
  • Bone fractures from chronic low calcium levels.

Keeping Other Exotic Pets Healthy

Spay/neuter surgery is important for other exotic pets as well. Non-spayed female ferrets will produce excessive amounts of estrogen that cause serious health problems. Female green iguanas, bearded dragons, and chameleons can develop life-threatening reproductive diseases if they become chronic egg layers or are not metabolically healthy.

Male guinea pigs who are left intact are much more aggressive due to their heightened testosterone levels. Female rats are prone to developing mammary and/or uterine cancer if left intact after 6 months of age.

Please call us with any questions about spay/neuter surgery for rabbits and other exotic animals. We’re always excited to serve the exotic pet community of Louisiana.

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