"fixing" prairie dogs

Does anyone know how bad male prairie dog's "runt" is? Should they be "fixed"? I love my "little dog" and I don't want him to have unnecessary surgery. But if it's necessary, I will do it.
Thanks,
Cathy
Cbw297@AOL.com

[Jade]

I believe it's called Rut and it can have varying degrees of intensity. Some are just grouchy and not overly friendly, while some may actually attack someone they loved the week before.

A lot of people recommend fixing them, but I'm going to let someone more experienced tell you when/how/who, etc.

Oh DAAAAALLAS ....

[Scarlette]

I haven't experienced a male PD's rut before because I have 2 females, but I've heard that males can get very tempermental. I've heard some horror stories about males.

My one female gets a little crabby around rut time. I've never been bit (I probably just jinxed myself by saying that) but I do recognize when she's having a bad day and give her more cuddling time and less floor time because she goes beserk when I pick her up to put her back in the cage. She doesn't seem to mind going back into the cage if I just hold her the whole time. My other female's behavior stays the same all year.

PD's should be spayed/neutered but I don't have a vet in my area that's experienced with spaying/neutering PD's. I chose to deal with the rut instead of putting them at risk for complications due to my vet's lack of experience.

I believe Dallas has male PD's and will have more insight into male rut than I. :cool:

[Dallas]

Here I am!

Yes - you should get your pd neutered. Just be sure you have a pd experienced vet. You may want to purchase the book Bringing A Prairie Dog Pup Into Your Home by Betsy Callis, Lynda Watson & Karen Stoica.

A pd in rut is a lean mean biting machine. Sneaky little buggers too! They are all lovey dovey and yahooing as you pet them - and chomp they bite you.

A pd bite can be really bad and require medical attention. Here's the problem. If you go to the Doctor/Hospital and say your pd bit you - Health Department will come and take the pd. It HAS to be tested for rabies even though a pd has never ever had rabies.

I'm in CT - and my Exotic Vet spayed/neutered the Texas Trio. It's expensive - but well worth it. I have three snuggly lovable waddle butts.

My friend who has 14 pds has some who are spayed/neutered - somewho aren't. Most are rescues. The ones who go into rut are evil little monsters. (I love them anyway - as does she!) She has to wear thick gloves and they've bitten through them a few times.

If you need a good vet let us know, and we can help you find a safe vet.

[Wendy]

Just to clarify. Should both genders be neutered, or is it just boys. Should I be thinking about getting my Rosie neutered/spayed (when the time is right)? Being in the UK, obvously prairie dogs don't pass through vet practises very often..never at my vets. This is going to be very scary. I am going to get the betsy book but still..

Wendy

[Dallas]

Wendy,

I would seriously suggest it. Find a good Exotic Vet - and get him the book. A vet who has a good reputation and you trust. Don't be afraid to ask a thousand questions on their experience. If they get annoyed or anything - you don't want them.

Just make sure that they vet wrap her. It's like a little vest - and keeps her from pulling out her stitches. She should be done the end of September.

Females pds also go into rut - and they are crabby witchy little girls who will bite.

It's scary - but it will be ok. I was a nervous wreck - and I had the Trio back to the vet every day for 3 days. If they looked at me cross eyed - they went back. The vet was awesome - and he loves them - and he understood my concern. They were in better shape than me! I need tranquilizers!!!!!!

Cheek rubs to the baby Angel!

[Wendy]

Oooh, I know when the time comes then, I will be a nervous wreck too, scary. My little girl has just woken up from a mid morning snooze she was having. When she hears my voice (I read back my posts out loud) she haaaaahoheeeeeeehoeeeee's me. LOL and I return the call, which she loves. Everytime I am posting about her, my stomach does somersaults, my heart stops almost, I'm so happy.

[Scarlette]

Wendy, make sure you find a vet that has done quite a few of these surgeries.

It really wasn't worth it to me to have mine done. My regular vet has never spayed or neutered a pd.....I don't even think she's seen a live one in person. Her partner did a couple in vet school, but I wasn't willing to risk her doing her first unsupervised pd spay on my girls.

I haven't had too much of a problem with them not being fixed. Karmen gets a little crabby but nothing out of control, Kasey's mood has never changed. Sometimes I think about health problems they may experience down the road, but I didn't want to chance loosing them over a surgery that wasn't 100 percent necessary. Ya know what I mean?

[Wendy]

I couldn't imagine finding a vet where I live that has actually seen a pd, let alone spayed one. We will see.

Wendy