HELP! Vet sent us home with NO pain meds

[caudex]

I pushed and just about had a fit in the office, but they insist that Ketofen, which they gave her, will provide relief all weekend. I was not afraid to pay whatever they wanted, they just swore she needed nothing else and that they’ll call tomorrow to check in, call in an emergency. I can’t find anything on the internet about it.

 

Sophie got home 2 hours ago and is sitting in her box, alternating between licking and sitting hunched up. She ate some hay and let me hand feed her some water soaked veggies, but won’t take any more. She chatters her teeth if I pet her or keep her from messing with the stiches, but i can’t tell if it’s pain or being glad I’m petting her. She’s freezing, too– ears ice cold. The heat is up, but i don’t even dare put her in her blanket for fear of hurting something.

 

If the vet is right and I’m freaking over nothing, please tell me. If not what do I do? The guy said all the right things and assured me at the pre visit she’d get pain medicine, but I didn’t expect nothing to bring home! What do I do if he won’t give me any?

[bullrider76543]

I would call another vet ASAP! That way if that vet says the same you could rest easy. But when both my boys got fixed the vet gave them somethin to keep them comfortable. You should check about the temp thing too, I hope that your bun gets some relief.

[Sarita]

Was the spay today? She shouldn’t need pain meds if it was today – they do heavy duty meds. You need to keep her warm though.

I would have asked before I left for pain meds for the next few days.

[caudex]

I just called another vet, who says the same thing. Ketofen should last her the weekend.

The spay was today. I got alarmed because I was expecting her to be lethargic and doped up this afternoon, but she isn’t. She’s restless, and hasn’t relaxed yet.

I asked for meds from both the receptionist and the vet directly, they both insisted they don’t send meds home and they will check in tomorrow. The other vet said the same thing. Are evts in Maine just especially terrible, or is there information about this drug I’m not finding?

[bullrider76543]

The use of pain meds are totally dependent on what the used for the surgery. Being that a female is more difficult to do then males I am sure that she had to be in a deeper anastesiatic state. The ketofen is a long acting pain medication that will keep away any severe pain, but your bun might still feel a little discomfort that should reduce over the next few days. If she starts grinding her teeth loudly and repitiously that is a sign she is in pain. But she should be fine, just keep her warm and watch her food and water intake and her droppings. But she will naturally be not too hungry as the anestisia will cause some stomach upset. So a reduced apitiet is normal. Just show her you care about how she feels by being by her and prtting her, it will help her relax.

[Stickerbunny]

Hmm. My vet used a long lasting pain medicine for the surgery, but he sent me home with metacam for the following days. Not sure what the pain med was he gave her initially. Very odd your vets won’t give pain meds. Is there a drug problem around where you live maybe, that the vets don’t want to give them out since humans can abuse them?

Keep an eye on her, hopefully she’ll eat without the meds.

[bwild]

My vet didn’t send me home with pain meds for Penelope when I got her fixed either. I didn’t question it because I trust my vet to no end. When I asked though, my doctor did tell me that if it seemed like Penelope was in a lot of pain that it probably meant something wasn’t quite right and I should bring her back in immediately. I don’t know what medicines he used during surgery or anything so obviously each situation is different. I would just keep a close eye on her and make sure that she stays warm. If she’s eating already it’s a good sign.

[Beka27]

If pain meds become necessary over the weekend, will the vet get them to you even if the office is closed? I think it’s better that you have them and not need to use them, than need them and have no access until Monday morning. Did you discuss administration of pain meds with the vet prior to the spay? This is an important question to ask in preparation of the surgery.

[kamdynandsunshinesmom]

When my male rabbit got neutered 4 years ago the vet gave me nothing she said he shouldn’t be in any pain and i don’t think that he was. I am not sure for a female.

[caudex]

Thanks everyone. Sorry for disappearing, Miss Sophie decided that if Mom was gonna freak out, she might as well make a thorough job of it by quitting eating and drinking. Dropper fed from Saturday morning through yesterday afternoon. Neither of us were impressed. She is perked up now though. She likes to dig her blanket so it’s mounded up just so under her belly.

Beka, we did discuss pain meds beforehand, and I swear up and down in my head that I asked whether I was getting some to give her and he said yes, because I went out and got a dropper so we could practice. However, I don’t know if I trust my memory post crisis. I know we discussed them and he said she would get pain relief. Maybe I just assumed badly. I know for when I get her someday beau neutered though.

Stickerbunny actually made a valid point; I DO live in an area that shouldn’t receive freely given perscription medication, so maybe that’s why.

[Beka27]

And that’s what I think is odd too. I know for a fact that you were well-prepared for the surgery and you were confident in your vet… so maybe there was simply a misunderstanding… or maybe when the vet said she’d be given pain meds, he just meant long-lasting meds. Regardless, is she eating normal now?

[caudex]

Yup, little girl is eating and drinking, and being very snuggly. Dunno if that’s just post trauma comfort-me-mama-it-was-scary, or if she’ll be more inclined post spay.

[Hoppy Valentine]

My vet also gave no ain meds after Hoppy’s neuter. He said he won’t need them. I also remember that Hoppy didn’t eat or drink anything for about 3 days, maybe a little nibble here and there. Didn’t poop for about 2 to 3 days either and then when he started eatting again he started pooping very small pieces with some soft poop that was very hard to clean up with out washing everything including the carpet. I called the vet and they said it was very normal after the neuter. My vet used a laser to it was supposed to be less painful for Hoppy. Be patient and it will all be good. Hoppy only wanted out of his cage at this time too where he hung out only behind the couch and was hard to get to bed at night. Oh well he is doing great now and his surgery was in July.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I think the pain meds are really important but I also know many vets don’t give them. They don’t give pain meds besides the injectable one to livestock as well so perhaps it’s a remnant of that? Or perhaps they are trying to be safe, as metacam can cause an upset tummy so they think that’s riskier? Not sure, but I know Kahlua needed them, and I keep a bottle of metacam at home for any emergencies.

 

But so glad to hear she’s doing well -what a relief  

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