Very worried as she has not eaten after spay

[LizziAnn]

My rabbit Luna had her spay today (technically yesterday) and she hasn’t eaten since.

I took her to the vets in the morning and she was put to sleep at 12 and woke up after anaesthetic at 1.30. I picked her up at 4 and she hasn’t eaten at all since I picked her up. It is 3am now and in an hour it will be 12 hours since she has been home without eating.

I don’t know if I should force feed her, I keep putting food under her nose but after a while she gets annoyed and pushes it away. She has pellets, greens, hay and some treats but she won’t touch any of it.

Is there anything I can do to make her eat and do you think I should ring the emergency vets at 4am?

I am so worried

[JackRabbit]

I would give them a call.

[Roberta]

Call the vet.. But in the interim if you have an oral syringe try giving her some water to start with. I usually get on the floor with them and gently syringe it into the side of the mouth. Offer her some fresh aromatic herbs especially sweet basil, parsley and cilantro. If you don’t have critical care you can make a slurry from pellets and use that to syringe feed her. Ask the vet what was given as far as pain meds and gut motility meds. Rinse the herbs well first and leave them a little moist as this will help to hydrate her.

[robyn and 'tipps']

How are things going with Luna? Sending positive energies to you both… I hope she is ok. Please keep us posted.

[Roberta]

You can also try tickling her nose with it until she bites at it. Sometimes the first mouthful is all they need. Try some naughty things too, (treats) things you know she goes mad for.

[LizziAnn]

Hi everyone, thank you for the help.
I phoned the vets but because it is the very early hours here in England it put me through to an emergency vets which ins’t my own so I couldn’t ask about the op but she did suggest syringe feeding with mushed up pellets for now.
I have been trying it but I literally have to open her mouth for her to lick it and it is upsetting her a bit and after a while she nudges it out of the way.
I will continue this for a bit with maybe ten minute gaps between trys but if it starts to really upset her I will have to take her to the out of hours for some tummy meds.
Thank you again for all of your support.

[robyn and 'tipps']

Thank you for keeping us informed. Love and good vibes sent to you and Luna. Assume your regular vet will be contactable in a few hours there your time. Hope things improve in meantime and she starts eating what you are offering. Keep us posted please.

[LizziAnn]

Hi again guys, just an update:
I kept Luna going through the night by syringe feeding her the mushy pellets and dipping kale in water which she would lick but not eat.
When it got to 7am I woke my husband up so that I could get some sleep and he saw her eat some hay. He woke me up to let me know and then at 9am she took some regular dried pellets on her own and some cucumber I took this opportunity to give her some medacam which she took like a very good girl but she didn’t eat anymore. I waited an hour and then phoned my vets as it was open.
They recommended that I bring her in so I did at lunch time today and he gave her a jab which would start her stomach up or something. After brining her home, and believe me she was not happy to return to the vets again today, she started eating some hay and some more cucumber and has been taking little nibbles here and there on her own so I am very happy. It is 5.30pm and I am shattered but have been taking naps since seeing her recovery.

I really want to thank you guys for all of the help and support you have shown me throughout the night. Thank you so so much this forum is fantastic ! ! !

[ImaBunnylover]

So happy she is doing better! Positive vibes to you both!

[robyn and 'tipps']

That’s wonderful news! All the best to you and your little friend Luna. Keep us posted as she makes a full recovery. Add a bigger pic when you can she looks adorable.

[Author]

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