Flemish Giant – post neuter

[Rhosgobelrabbit]

Rhosgobel just had his neuter appointment today. And in preparation I removed the upper floors from his bunny home (just under 21 Sq ft). When I asked the vet about post op care she said that I should keep him confined to a smaller space so he doesn’t run around. But I am concerned about him getting antsy being stuck in a small space. Or getting fat. I have him confined to a large dog crate right now with a litter box and food and water all within close reach. My question is, should I let him hop around the ground level of his cage a but each day, or should I keep him completely confined to prevent injury?

Next question!

The vet gave me two syringes. One is a pain reliever that I am supposed to give him tomorrow morning. The other one came with a bag of critical care recovery food for herbivores. I am instructed to give him this mixed in water via syringe 3 times a day to supplement his diet during healing. My big boy has never had to take medicine before, Any tips, tricks, or suggestions for getting him to take it with ease? I don’t want to stress him out and he is so strong I don’t want him hurting himself or me.

[Hopper]

I don’t have an answer for your second question but for your first I do. I would follow what the vet said, but if he gets a little antsy allow more space. Take out anything that could cause damage. I am unsure, but the surgery may keep your pet calm for a few days…

[tobyluv]

Since he can’t jump to the upper floors of his house, it seems like it would be okay for him to have his regular space on the ground level of his cage.

If the pain reliever is Metacam, that is usually tasty to rabbits, so hopefully he will take it well. You could wrap him in a towel or have someone else hold him while you give him the medicine. Place the syringe into the side of his mouth, not the front. There is a gap between the front and back sets of teeth, so it will be a lot easier to get the syringe in there.

I have never given my rabbits Critical Care after a spay or neuter, because they always ate well afterwards. Some rabbits do go off their feed after surgery, but if he is eating his regular diet, I’m not sure why he would need the Critical Care. That takes longer to syringe in than the pain reliever will, so it could be stressful for him to be held and force fed. I’m not saying to go against your doctor’s orders, but you want to cause your rabbit the least stress possible. You can make up a Critical Care mix and put it in a bowl. Some rabbits will eat it on their own. You can also mix a little baby food into it or mix in some plain canned pumpkin. Or if you think he would lick it off your fingers, you can try it that way. Letting him eat it on his own would surely make him happier than being forced fed.

[Rhosgobelrabbit]

Thank you so much for the rapid response!

I will try giving him the critical care with the syringe first, if he gets stressed by it then I will try mixing it with something to see if he eats it on his own. So far his poops look fairly normal and he is eating his pellets and hay as usual.
Normally I let him run around the room while I get ready in the mornings, so I’ll do that but limit him to the ground floor of his cage. That should keep to his familiar schedule.
So far he is leaving his surgical site alone, but he keeps licking the bandage on his leg. Vet said I can take that off tomorrow though.

[BB & Tiny]

When my post spay girls come to stay I score a piece of banana or apple and syringe the metacam onto the scored part to soak in then give them the fruit. Never fed them critical care either, they always ate as normal.

I keep them in x pens. I’ve only had one who was a rabble rouser and binkied everywhere when she wasn’t supposed to.

[Rhosgobelrabbit]

Rosco did not like the pain reliever at all. I tried the bunny burrito while feeding via syringe technique and I tried offering it to him on its own. He hated it. I mixed it with 1\2 tsp of applesauce (unsweetened) and he ate it right up.

I spoke to my vet again today and she said I should really give him the critter care supplement if I can. It has really generic instructions, one part critical care two parts water. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to get him to take this.

[Hopper]

Is it like a tablet? Try and slip it into a banana and see if he will eat it. If you are allowed to crush the tablet, mix it in the applesause. My mom, whos a nurse, has to crush tablets for people who can’t eat so I know its not something new to do it.

[Rhosgobelrabbit]

I mixed the medicines in some applesauce and he eats it up all on his own. So now I mix up the critter care with warm water and then add ½ tsp of applesauce to it. He gobbles it up. Is a couple teaspoons of applesauce each day Okay for him? I have read so many conflicting things I don’t know how much sweets or fruit Is okay.

[LittlePuffyTail]

How is your boy doing now?

[Dymii]

I’m doing critical care right now for my bun, post-GI stasis.
We’ve only fed him one time and it didn’t work too well. The only tips I have that seemed to help were to have him wrapped in a towel to keep him still, support his back and bottom, and try to get the syringe in the corner of his mouth. Point it like you’re putting it in his cheek. I had such trouble finding that spot because he kept moving his head and he’s got so much fur there. Once you get it in their cheek, dispense only a tiny bit at a time and give them a chance to eat it before continuing.
I recommend having a warm damp cloth to wipe off their chin every now and then. Quite a bit drips down and it can be messy!

[Author]

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