To neuter or not to neuter...that is the question
Rat & Mouse Gazette: Q & A
What is the earliest age you can neuter a male rat?
"Eight to ten weeks is the earliest recommended age to safely neuter a rat. In fact, the procedure is easier to perform while the rat is young.
RMCA member, Dr. Daryl Mabley, D.V.M., who has been working on perfecting neutering, feels that the main reason rats are experiencing abscesses after being neutered is because some of the fat which normally surrounds the testicles is being left in the scrotal sac which then becomes necrotic, causing an abscess. Older males have much more fat surrounding their testicles than young rats do, thereby making the older rats surgery more difficult and time consuming which also makes the procedure harder on the poor fellow.
As a general rule, neutering can be performed at any age, providing the rat is in good enough health not to be considered a major risk for general anesthesia. There are always exceptions to every rule, however, so please don't make the decision to have any elective surgery done lightly.
In addition, no matter what the age of the rat, always request post surgical antibiotics to fight off any possible infection. I realize that many people do not like to use antibiotics as a precautionary measure, but considering the fact that your rat will not be going through surgery every month or even every six months, the risk of having an organism become immune to the antibiotic is extremely low and it may just save your rats life. "
What is the earliest age you can neuter a male rat?...and the answer is...
What is the earliest age you can neuter a male rat?
"Eight to ten weeks is the earliest recommended age to safely neuter a rat. In fact, the procedure is easier to perform while the rat is young.
RMCA member, Dr. Daryl Mabley, D.V.M., who has been working on perfecting neutering, feels that the main reason rats are experiencing abscesses after being neutered is because some of the fat which normally surrounds the testicles is being left in the scrotal sac which then becomes necrotic, causing an abscess. Older males have much more fat surrounding their testicles than young rats do, thereby making the older rats surgery more difficult and time consuming which also makes the procedure harder on the poor fellow.
As a general rule, neutering can be performed at any age, providing the rat is in good enough health not to be considered a major risk for general anesthesia. There are always exceptions to every rule, however, so please don't make the decision to have any elective surgery done lightly.
In addition, no matter what the age of the rat, always request post surgical antibiotics to fight off any possible infection. I realize that many people do not like to use antibiotics as a precautionary measure, but considering the fact that your rat will not be going through surgery every month or even every six months, the risk of having an organism become immune to the antibiotic is extremely low and it may just save your rats life. "
What is the earliest age you can neuter a male rat?...and the answer is...
posted by Lee at 7:39 AM
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