Are you supposed to have your bunny fast before surgery?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 10sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 3 months ago by jerseygirl.

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- 06/15/2018 at 10:16 PM
  Snowflake
  Participant
  9 posts
  I am a new rabbit owner and am having my female rabbit spayed. The vet tech instructed me not to let her eat or drink anything after midnight the night before. I am bringing her in at 7:00 a.m. but she isn’t having surgery til 9:00 or 10:00. I have read that rabbits have to keep their digestive system going so I am concerned about her going that long without food. Is this normal before rabbit surgery?
- 06/16/2018 at 12:39 AM
  CocoaPuff
  Participant
  16 posts
  Rabbits are the exception to the rule. They must have a constantly moving gastrointestinal tract and in order to do that they should not be fasted before surgery. If the actual Dr (not the vet tech who sometimes get dog and cat instructions confused with bunny instructions) tells you to fast your bunny before surgery, I’d go to a different vet.
- 06/16/2018 at 3:29 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17014 posts
  CocoaPuff is 100% correct. Vet techs and receptionists often mistakenly give out the routine pre-surgery instructions for cats and dogs. Rabbits (and horses) must always have food in their tums. For anatomical reasons those species can’t vomit, so it’s safe to not have them fast.
- 06/16/2018 at 9:15 AM
  Snowflake
  Participant
  9 posts
  Thank you for your response. I still have a couple of days before Snowflake’s scheduled surgery so I’ll make sure that the vet is giving me the right pre-op instructions for rabbits. Thank you so much!
- 06/19/2018 at 8:23 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  I hope you were able to clarify with the vet. Do mention it as they will need to make sure their staff is giving correct information in future to other rabbit owners.
  Best wishes for Snowflakes spay and recovery.
- 06/19/2018 at 7:07 PM
  Snowflake
  Participant
  9 posts
  Thank you for your well wishes. She is having spay surgery tomorrow morning(6-20-18). I called several other veterinarian offices to inquire about pre-op for rabbits and that all said that they follow the same fasting schedule as dogs and cats. I was shocked,getting nervous,and about to cancel her surgery when I finally got past the front desk at the vet where she is scheduled. They assured me that it was just the front desk and new personnel that were unaware. They instructed me not to fast her and to bring her hay when we come in the morning. I felt so relieved about that. Now I am just a nervous mom wondering how she will do during the surgery. I am so amazed that I can love this bunny so much(like a child) and I have only had her for 3 months. She was about 6 to 8 weeks when I got her. I think there needs to be more rabbit education out there and I am very grateful for binkybunny website and the forums here where I am learning so much to be a good bunny owner!!
- 06/19/2018 at 11:38 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17170 posts
  It seems strange, but this happens more often than one might think. This even happened at my vet’s office. I think it’s really a matter information not being relayed to the receptionists. Depending on the office, some receptionists don’t have much medical background. But as long as the vet is aware that you’re not supposed to fast rabbits before surgery, then you should be OK. It never hurts to quiz them during the initial exam either. I’m glad you got things straightened out and the spay is going ahead as planned. I know it’s hard not to worry though.
- 06/21/2018 at 8:38 PM
  Snowflake
  Participant
  9 posts
  Snowflake’s surgery went well and she seems to be healing nicely. She was very quiet and groggy last night and wasn’t interested in eating. Just sleeping. She must have gotten her appetite back during the night because when I checked on her this morning, her food was gone. Eating, pooping, peeling, and wanting to get out of her pen. Sigh of relief!!
- 06/21/2018 at 8:48 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17170 posts
  Yay!
- 06/21/2018 at 9:21 PM
  Snowflake
  Participant
  9 posts
  thank you
- 06/23/2018 at 2:53 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Glad to hear she did well !
  
  That really is a worry so many clinics are giving out wrong pre-surg info. I do wonder how much it could contribute to rabbits not doing well afterward. Some clinics will turn rabbits owners away because they prefer not to perform surgeries on them.
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