It’s best not to put rabbits on their backs, and you may not even have to when checking on his post neuter incision. You can try holding a treat above his head and making him stand up. That way you can get a look at his surgical area. It doesn’t have to be a prolonged look, you just want to make sure that there is no redness or swelling. You will have to hold him in order to give him pain medication for a couple of days after his surgery. It’s best to wrap them in a towel (the burrito wrap) to give medicine. You could also have someone hold him while you administered the medicine. It can be very helpful to have someone with you, with one person holding and one person giving the medicine. You could sit on the floor with him wrapped up in a towel, or have him wrapped up in the towel and place him on a table. Just keep a secure grip on him, especially if he is up on a table. I have never had to put ointment on my rabbits after spay or neuter surgery.

The vet should give him a mini check up before the neuter surgery – check his teeth, trim his nails if needed, etc.

Most rabbits do not like being held, so the ones that you are seeing online, that seem to be okay with it and cooperate, are not exactly the norm. Don’t stress about any difficulties that you might have holding him or checking his incisions. He may be a little quieter than normal after surgery, and therefore more cooperative. But if you get him wrapped in a towel and especially if you have someone to help, the medication will go quickly. You will probably be given Metacam for pain and most bunnies like the taste of that. If you stick the syringe in the side of his mouth, in the gap between his front and back teeth, you can quickly dispense the medicine and put him back down. Give him a small piece of his favorite fruit afterwards.

Practicing and understanding that sometimes you aren’t going to be his favorite person.  We pick our bun up daily at least for a few minutes so that he is always used to it and is reassured he won’t be harmed. The week leading up to his neuter we gave him a treat, picked him up, “checked” his bottom and then put him down and gave him another treat (we use broken up raisin into 3ish pieces and used one piece as a treat).  Our bunny still doesn’t enjoy it, nor does he really like it.  But once we pick him up he does not wiggle and waits to be put back down.  I call this a success.  Generally immediately after putting him down if I get down on his level  (lay flat on my stomach) he will come up and wait  for his head to petted.