Neutered bunny still feels yucky

[Deleted User]

I just got my little dude neutered on Tuesday morning.

BJ is a dutch dwarf that I adopted from my ex-roommate’s little brother, who bought him at a pet store; therefore, stayed intact because even some of the employees AND the manager had NO IDEA that bunnies should and could be spayed/neutered (Don’t shop at Pets Plus!!).  

I went to the vets of the Humane Society because they do A LOT of spays/neuters everyday whether they are cats, dogs, rabbits, etc., and the vets also own the private shelter next door which is no kill!  When I first got BJ, we went for our first checkup there and the vet we saw was really sweet and tender with BJ… 

I’m just worried because on Thursday, he hadn’t pooped a lot (maybe a dozen puffs total before 8 PM), although he did eat most of the butter lettuce/broccoli/apple salad with a banana slice on top feast I made him when I first woke up. He also was excited for a minute after he realized I was awake and did some head binkies but was trotting in his usual circles very slowly and only did a couple rounds.  After I gave him a tummy massage, he used the litterbox right away (made about 30+ puffs total that night) and ate a bunch after using the toilet.   

I also noticed on the evening of day 2, that there was this hormonal smell, his usual pheromones smell but a bit stronger, and he also tried to hump my foot a couple times last night. I checked his sutures on both days and everything looks okay I guess, his little parts are very black and purple–bruised?? They looked like shriveled raisins on the first day but it looks like they are “full” and round today. What does that mean? 

Also, I didn’t put him in his condo, I dismantled it a couple months ago because he was totally ignoring it…he’s The Boss around here and is always hanging out on our bed ((I basically just live here in my little dude’s apartment, )…I now know that I should have put it back together before the surgery to acclimate him to it, so he could have a closed off area to himself. I put it back together and put him in there after we came home but it did cause him a great deal of distress; he was pacing back and forth and wouldn’t stop so I let him out. He hasn’t gone back in there since.  

Today he hasn’t pooped very much (!!!) and is just sitting behind the couch (there’s a spot behind it where he likes to watch me).  There’s no musty smell today.  He has been nibbling on a variety of things, especially if I hand feed the goods to him.  He will take at least a couple bites but then nudges my hand away with his nose.  He spent the afternoon outside on the patio and seemed to enjoy himself.  He hasn’t been moving around a lot today…His ears are very cold so I’ve got the heater on but he’s been doing side flops and purrs when I rub his face/head and also when I gave him a light massage on his belly under his ribs–but still no more poops (about 15 irregular ones today before I got home).  He just ate a thin slice of juicy, dripping watermelon and got irritated with me because I pulled a bowl to catch the juice; he grabbed it and tried to throw it.  

How much longer until he’s comfortable and pain-free?  Are we out of the danger zone?  What can I do to make him more comfy so he’ll eat more and help him poop?  

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

P.S. He was also drinking his urine on the first day of surgery although I put his water bowl next to the potty pad, I’ve never seen him do this before!  What was that all about?

[RabbitPam]

It seems to me that he is recovering, but you may be expecting a bit more of him than he is capable of less than a week after the procedure. The first 24 hours he will eat, but not a banquet , so he may have been a bit full! His poos sound perfectly normal – 15 puffs is not nothing, it’s good. So his digestion is online as you describe it. I would give him a nice, steady few days of greens, with little or no fruit. Maybe some baby carrots or bunny treats about once a day, pellets, and lots and lots of hay. Fresh water always, and forget about the urine thing. He probably smelled something from the procedure.

A male bunny will have a post-procedure surge of hormones for as long as a month, so the humping is also totally normal.

If his incision site is not swollen or red, it is probably healing. If the bruise color concerns you, never hesitate to call the vet who did it and ask about it. Part of doing a speuter is being available for post-operative care and questions.

I think he’s doing fine. He shouldn’t be jumping up on things for the first week, so it’s probably better that you didn’t assemble his habitat place if it was 2 levels. Don’t really worry about his behavior. Just keep checking the site and if it’s calmed down in color by today, he is on the mend. If not, make a call.

[Beka27]

I’m glad you started your own thread! This way more people will see this and be able to respond to your situation.

Were you given pain meds to administer at home? This doesn’t always happen with boys, but it is something to consider to “take the edge off”…

Is there any way you can confine him to an area, like just the living room? Doesn’t have to be in a pen or condo but just a smaller area… I know that once they are free range 24/7 you have a heck of a time trying to lock them up!

The enlarged testicle area is pretty normal, likely just retained fluid from surgery.

If he’s eating SOMETHING and still passing poops, this is a good thing. It can take a bit (a few days to a week) for things to go back to normal. The anesthesia needs to get worked out of the system.

Hormones and related behaviors usually diminish gradually over a month or two. Also, it is important to note that males retain viable sperm for up to 6 weeks POST-NEUTERING! Not sure if you are planning on introducing a second rabbit in the near future, but definitely something to keep in mind.

[jerseygirl]

Hope you’re feeling happier about his recovery now.

As RabbitPam has saud, they sometimes have a surge of hormones in the system still and you can see some nutty behaviour post-neuter. This may be why you’re noticing the smell and he sampled his pee. He got a bit too into it. Lol
I’ve even seen my long-time desexed rabbits occasionally do this with their marking pee.

[Deleted User]

THANK YOU for all your posts and advice!  (I have adrenal fatigue so the stress of getting him fixed was overwhelming…My body is still recovering (!!), it was very taxing on my body, sorry my reply is late!  We really appreciate all the responses!)  

The night I posted I gave him gentle vibrating belly massages and he seemed to enjoy it and let me know by purring.  He would use the bathroom (some #2 pieces) after a long massage, I was so relieved.  I also kept him confined to the living room after posting.  He’s been a lot brattier since he got better, frequently nudging my hand or my foot or whatever out of his way, including his feeding bowls.  It looks like he’s throwing discus.    Also, he’s been tearing up carpet nonstop but only in corners (he tore up only a small patch last July) and now there are 4 more areas of balding carpet.  

He’s still a little crabby and also acting less lovey dovey.  I’m quite sad to say that he doesn’t look for me when he can’t see me, lol, like when I’m taking a shower–he would usually get on his hind legs and peek in behind the shower curtain like he was checking on me, and also doesn’t hang out/supervise me while I’m doing my waking morning/getting read for bed nightly routines.  He also used to love to hang out with me in the kitchen while I cooked, cleaned, did dishes.  He does still try to wake me up and does his binkies and honking when I wake up though, just not as much or for as long.  

We are just glad to be back to healthy though!  

Thank you RabbitPam, Beka27, jerseygirl!!

[manic_muncher]

I’m betting as more time passes, he’ll become more and more interested in where you are and what you are doing again. Glad to hear he’s ok and hope you continue to recover!

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m glad to hear your bun is doing better. Like manic-muncher says, just give him time. Those hormones surges can make bunny act differently for a little while.

[LongEaredLions]

Glad he is recovering. Give him time, he will return to his normal self soon.

[Author]

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