It sounds like your vet is knowledgeable about rabbits, but that his receptionist is not, and just gave you the standard line she would tell anyone whose dog or cat is having surgery. But just to be sure, it might be a good idea to clarify this and make sure that the vet didn’t tell her that. There is no need to fast rabbits before surgery.

In my experience, the rabbit will go home late that day and not have to stay overnight. You should take some hay and veggies with you because they like to see that the rabbit is eating afterward. When she get home, she will likely be sleepy from the pain medication. She shouldn’t need any more the first day, but they will give you medication for the next 2 or 3 days. If she had any multi levels in a condo or x-pen, you should make sure that she stays on the ground level and is not jumping around, which could possibly open up her incision.

Here is the page that Dana Krempels wrote about surgery: http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/opcare.html

I’m very sorry about what happened to your first rabbit. I hope that Missy sails through her spay and recuperates very quickly.

Like tobyluv said, it’s perfectly possible that while your vet knows plenty about rabbits, the receptionist is just telling you the standard pre-surgery information for dogs and cats because she doesn’t know otherwise. It’d be a good idea to bring this up with your vet though, to make sure that no future bunny parents accidentally get the wrong information.

For spays, most vets will only keep until closing time unless there is something to be worried about. Pain meds, restrict jumping…tobyluv’s got it .

Spay vibes for Missy!

It is not uncommon for the front staff to give that same line about fasting to rabbit owners. I would make sure though to clarify this with the vet just to make SURE he does not feel the same way, because if he does, then you do not want him as your vet. Most likely though, it’s just the receptionist, but it is very important that she stop giving that advice to rabbit owners and so the vet may need to make sure she understands that. So either way, it would be good for you to alert the vet about your concern.

My experience has been that I take my bunny home the same day as well. However, I have also heard of situations where the vet prefers to keep them overnight. Many times they want to make sure the bunny is recovering well and nibbling on something.

tobyluv has given you some good post surgery advice and this is also a good resource about what to expect. (both pre and post) http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/spay-neuter.html#pre-post-care

I know this must make you very anxious after losing your first bunny. I am sorry to hear that. I bet you will find out after talking to you vet that the receptionist was just misinformed.

Keep us updated!