Neutering questions

[KittenMuffinPie]

I’m getting my bunny Jude fixed for Christmas and my boyfriend is paying for half of it, if not more for my present just because it’s 100 dollars to get rabbits fixed at the one nearest to me. I have a few questions though. Like how should I care for him afterwards and what questions should I ask the vet before the procedure. I’ve read that a few people send during the procedure, the rabbits normal food and some vegetables for the vet to offer after the rabbit wakes up from anesthetic. Also can vet’s give you pain medicine to send with bunny home after the procedure to aid with pain and what type should it be and what kind should I make sure it’s not? Any type of advice is accepted! I’m just super worried about the whole thing. 

[kirstyol]

I can only pass on the advice I was given when Bramble was neutered in September. Vet said originally Bramble should be on cage rest for a week (it ended up being a bit longer because he didn’t recover well at first) Avoid picking him up other than to check his wound for at least two or three weeks but you should check the wound daily. Do everything you can to make sure he is eating and drinking after the procedure, although I didn’t take any food to the vets with me I do know that some people on here have done. I was sent home with painkillers but again I have heard some people on here say they were not, painkillers were supposed to be just for a few days (again extended due to his recovery not being good)

As for what to ask the vet, well my vet is a small animal specialist so I didn’t need to worry about his qualifications but I would check that they are used to dealing with rabbits, do they see rabbits often? Have they neutered many rabbits? things like that. Ask how long they expect to keep your boy for and will they call you to let you know how things went. I was super worried about Bramble and the vet called me right after the procedure to tell me he was awake and everything had went well, of course I couldn’t pick him up for a few hours after that but it was reassuring to know he was ok, maybe ask if your vet will do the same?

Do not change your rabbits diet in any way before the surgery, and run a mile if the vet tells you to fast him. Rabbits cannot physically vomit so there is no need to fast for surgery, in fact it can be very dangerous to do so as rabbits always need something in their gut, if a vet tells you to fast your rabbit pre-op then they are not rabbit savvy and you should find another vet.

The best bit of advice I can give is don’t expect him to be his normal self for a while after surgery, I was really worried about Bramble because I was told it would only take a few days and he would be back to normal but Bramble was not anything close to his normal self for at least two weeks after his op and it was a few more weeks before he was back to normal really. Every bunny is different and some take longer than others I guess, I just wish I had known that because I was worried for nothing really, Bramble is just fine now.

[KittenMuffinPie]

The vet that I am going to was actually recommended to me by the lady who sold me my Jude. She said that they always take their rabbits to them to get fixed if needed and have never had any problems with them…and if you have to pay extra for pain medicine for afterwards should you definitely do so? I am planning on it anyway but i’m not so sure about what is good and bad for him medication wise..I know that you can just crush the pill up, mix it with a banana, and feed it to your rabbit that way. It’s 7.25 extra for send home pain medicine which isn’t bad so I’m planning on it either way.

[Beka27]

Not too much to add… Kirstyol covered everything well!

Pain meds are generally a liquid that you syringe into the bunny’s mouth, so you shouldn’t have to worry about pills.

They aren’t always absolutely necessary to have for boys. They bounce back pretty quickly. But it doesn’t hurt to have them just in case.

If you haven’t scheduled the surgery yet, depending on the vets scheduled surgery days, you might want to set it up for early in the week. Most vets are closed on the weekend, so if surgery is Thursday or Friday, and the something goes wrong Saturday, the vet won’t be available until Monday.

[kirstyol]

Beka, that’s a really good point actually about getting the surgery early in the week. Bramble was done on a Tuesday and I was at the vets every day for the rest of the week with him because he wasn’t eating. I should also have pointed out that Bramble had his molar spurs done at the same time as his neuter so he definitely needed the painkillers, I know some vets say boys don’t need them. Personally I would probably get them just in case.

[KittenMuffinPie]

alright, thanks guys. and makes since about the early in the week. I am planning on trying to get it scheduled for when I am on Christmas break so that I can take him and pick him up when needed.

[kirstyol]

If you can do it when you are going to be off for a few days all the better. I had Bramble done on the last week of my annual leave so I could be here to keep an eye on him and it really did make me feel better being here to make sure he was ok.

[KittenMuffinPie]

Yeah, I’m planning on trying to schedule it for the 2 weeks that i’m out for christmas so I can be there.

[Beka27]

That would be great if you could be home with him! He’ll probably want to be alone for the first 24-48 hours, but at least you’ll be around! Keep us posted!

[KittenMuffinPie]

I’ve probably filled out 10 applications for the humane society that is nearest to me (and it says they should get to you in as little as 1 business day) that neuters rabbits for $100 and they still haven’t called me SO if they still haven’t called me this Friday I’m going to call them and make an appointment. I’m going to try to make the appointment for one day during the week after Christmas that I’m out of school so I can be home with him. One thing though..I’ve heart a lot of people mention that even if your vet says to not feed your rabbit before surgery that you should because rabbit’s can’t throw up but they make you sign a consent form at the place I’m going..I’m wondering if it just applies to dogs and cats..This is the consent form:
My signature on this form indicates that I confirm the following:
 My pet has not eaten breakfast this morning
 I believe my pet is in good health
My signature on this form indicates that any questions I have regarding the following issues have been answered to my satisfaction:
 Sufficient details of the procedures that will be performed
 The length and type of follow-up care and home restraint required
 The most common and serious complications
My signature on this form indicates that I am aware of and understand the following:
 My pet may be exposed to illnesses while at the Spartanburg Humane Society
 This clinic does not perform any pre-surgical blood work as a standard procedure
 My pet will receive a brief physical exam before surgery
 If no veterinary record showing proof of current vaccinations is presented, my pet will be
vaccinated today for rabies and distemper/parvo
 On occasion vaccines may cause an unexpected adverse reaction
 If my pet has the following conditions including, but not limited to, being in heat or pregnant, recently having a litter, or if my
pet is over 6 years old there is a higher surgical risk
 If my pet has a pre-existing medical condition including, but not limited to, heartworms, FIV, FIP or FeLV there is a higher
surgical risk
 Our veterinarian has the right to refuse surgery/services if it is deemed a health risk
 My animal will receive a tattoo – This is not an optional procedure. Tattoos assist veterinarians and shelter staff identify
animals that have already been spayed/neutered. The presence of a tattoo prevents animals, especially females, from
having a surgical procedure done that has already been completed.
My signature on this form indicates that I agree to pay $6.00 per cat or dog under 44 pounds for Frontline Spray treatment if my pet
is found to have fleas or ticks. If my dog is 45-88lbs, I agree to pay the regular shelter price for the application of Frontline Tritak.
And if my dog is 89-132lbs, I agree to pay the regular shelter price for the application of Frontline Plus.
I agree, if my pet develops signs of sickness of a contagious disease, after the surgery, I am responsible for any of the treatment(s) or
medicine(s) for my pet(s).
Has your pet ever been aggressive towards humans? Yes ____ No ____
Has your pet ever been aggressive towards other animals? Yes____ No____ If yes, what kind_________
I have read and fully understand the terms and conditions set forth above.
_________________________________________________________ ___________________
Signature of Owner or Rescue Group Representative Date
___________________ _____________________________________________
SHS Staff Initials If we need to contact you, list phone number(s) for you

[LBJ10]

Wow, what an awful Christmas present for Jude. LOL

Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Um, it looks like that is a generic form since it talks about rabies and parvo on there too. I wouldn’t judge the vet based off of the consent form. The consent form may not even be their creation (i.e. the Humane Society wrote it). It isn’t unusual for a receptionist at a regular vet office to ramble off the whole fasting before surgery thing either. So don’t be scared off by that form. Instead, I would ask to talk to the vet about the procedure. See what they recommend. Quiz them. Make sure you are satisfied by their answers.

[Beka27]

I agree that this looks like a standard “cover their butts” consent form. If I were you, I would simply write N/A next to what is not applicable for rabbits. If they question you, just say that rabbits should not be fasted.

[KittenMuffinPie]

well, it’s more like a Christmas present for me..lol he’s about to the age where rabbits hit sexual maturity and i’m seriously not feeling like dealing with that so I’m going to get him fixed before it happens..and thanks for the advice. I will definitely ask lots of questions!

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