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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A How to prepare for spay?

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    • Brookie
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        I’m getting Daisy spayed this Tuesday (May 17th), and I’m just really nervous. I’ve heard so many horror stories. The person who had her before me has never taken her to the vet so I’m just afraid that the whole experience for her is going to be too much. She’s really big on food though, she acts like she hasn’t been fed in days every time I give her her pellets or veggies lol. So I’m trying to keep up my hopes that her appetite will carry over after the operation… our vet is very rabbit savy so I shouldn’t be as worried as I am. Any tips for post op care would be well appreciated!! I know it’s a tad early to make a post since it’s still 3 days before the operation but I’m worried out of my mind


      • Bam
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          It’s normal to be worried when your bun is about to have surgery =)

          You don’t fast a bunny, they should eat up to an hour or so before the surgery (an hour is a precaution so they don’t have food in their esophagus when they’re being put under). Send some stuff she really likes with her to the clinic, like her favourite greens and some pellets she likes, you can even add a few treats, because it’s important that she starts eating asap when she wakes up. If you can get Critical Care (many vets sell it), a fine-ground powder that has all nutrients a poorly bunny needs, and a feeding-syringe (without a needle obviously) – that’s great to have on hand for when she comes home. If you can’t get CC, you can soak normal pellets in water instead and make a runny mash.

          When she comes home, the major thing is to keep her warm. Hypothermia is a real risk for a bunny that’s had anesthesia. You can use f ex a hot water bottle or a snuggle safe. Make sure she has enough space so she can move away from the heat-source if she wants to. Give her water in a bowl and put it near her, she’ll be pretty out of it and won’t want to go look for water or drink from a bottle.

          She’ll be dizzy and wobbly and look miserable at first, but don’t let her go to sleep and sleep through the night without food, there’s a big risk of hypothermia if she does that. The best thing is of course if she starts eating on her own, if she doesn’t, you’ll need to syringe her food. Fresh fragrant herbs like cilantro, mint, parsley can often be of interest even to a bun that’s not feeling so well.

          Hopefully your vet gives you a painkiller to distribute at home, but that varies between vets. Some just give a long-lasting shot before the bun gets sent home and schedule a check-up the next day. It is important though that bunnies get a painkiller after a spay, research has shown it helps them heal quicker and that they regain their appetite sooner if they are free of pain.

          Don’t hesitate to ask more questions.


        • Mimzy
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            I think Bam said it all!
            I was very nervous with my girl as well because of all of the horror stories, but she, too, has a big appetite. She made it through surgery fine, drank water as soon as she got home, wasn’t too interested in food right away but she did start eating shortly after. Definitely looked miserable. Just make sure you keep her fairly confined, not too small a space, but also not enough to where she can run around a lot. I basically sectioned off a part of her cage to keep her from jumping or using ramps & kept it locked. She mostly had her litter box & space to eat, drink, & sleep.

            I believe female bunnies usually won’t be too active for a while, but mine had a ton of energy the next morning it was hard keeping her contained! So prayers & good vibes for you & your little one, hoping she has a quick recovery as mine did!
            & as Bam said, try fresh fragrant herbs first, but if she won’t take those, you can also try her favorite fruits before trying to syringe feed.


          • flemishwhite
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              I enjoyed reading Bam’s response.

              Experience with three girls for me now.  Just some thoughts.  When you you bring them home, they are probably a little groggy still.  You will be given a analgesic to give them.  However, when their painkiller from the vet starts to wear off,  bunnies feeling pain will try to hide.  My first rabbit was 5 years old when we had her spayed.  She was a house rabbit and I knew if we took her home, she would hide.  We took her to a hotel room were she couldn’t hide from us and we gave her her meds…being an older rabbit that had to have a liposuction procedure for being spayed and her recovery took a few days. 

              For our two Flemish babies, at 6  months, we just brought them home. In no way would they tolerate being caught and given pain medicine!!  I could imagine they were feeling pain, but I couldn’t see any sign of it.  They were eating normally as soon as we brought them home.  They recovered very quickly…I think being 6 months old helped as compared to Bunny who was 5 years old.

              …………………………………………..

              About the “no way would they tolerate being caught” comment.  Flemish Giants are described as being docile and calmer than other rabbit  breeds.  OK, this is a good human public relations comment for Flemish Giant rabbits.  However,  this comment hasn’t been coordinated with Flemish rabbits.  They are big rabbits with very powerful hind legs.  If you use both hands to grab them under their armpits to pick them up, they can viciously start scratching you with their hind feet claws….quick lacerations!  Hopefully with age, they’ll be more relaxed about being picked up.    

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          Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A How to prepare for spay?