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FORUM HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Spaying and Prep

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    • Amanda
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        I have done research, but not have seen answers to my specific questions.

        I have other small animals, but I have never owned a rabbit before. Almost all my other pets, I had for months before they were old/big enough to be neutered/spayed. This rabbit is already over a year old, but is still hesitant around people. I have had her for less than 2 weeks so I don’t really know her personality nor have we bonded yet. Since she has already been sexually mature for so long, would it be better to wait a couple months to spay her so I can learn more about her and get her more used to being handled and around humans or should I just schedule her surgery as soon as an opening is available?

        If I schedule her spay soon, are there any foods that I can give over the next couple weeks so she will be in her best possible health for surgery? (I have read that you should not give supplements before surgery in animals.) I know that the vet won’t do the surgery if she is not healthy enough for it, but I am a bit paranoid because of the situation she came from. I don’t know much about it, but the women I got her from is part of a rescue and foster group for dogs. She was at the original owners home rescuing dogs when she saw the poor living conditions of three rabbits also in the home. (They had always been housed separately so none were bonded,) She convinced the owners to also surrender the rabbits. They appeared to be relatively healthy while in her care. The other two were rehomed quickly, but the one I have taken in had difficulty finding a home because she has little interest in interacting with humans. I am feeding her a very good quality rabbit food and plenty of hays (excluding alfalfa), but I am worried about the things that were lacking in her diet during her important first year of her life.


      • Bam
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          Thank you for taking this bun in!
          Rabbits can be very reluctant to interact with humans, of course especially so if they have had unpleasant experiences with humans. That doesn’t mean they won’t warm up to you once they find their feet in their new home and realize that they are safe and appreciated. It can take a long time though, my first bun needed a whole year.

          If she’s in good condition you can get the spay over with when you like. A vet can do a blood test for liver-function to try and determine how well she’d cope with being put under. I think it might be easier for you to forge a bond once she is spayed and has healed.

          If she has a good appetite and eats hay like a good girl, there’s nothing you absolutely have to do to prep her for surgery. Some people like to give their buns Critical Care (a powder you mix with water) and a probiotic before ordeals like surgery or travel. A probiotic can be sprinkled over her normal food, but not all buns will eat Critical Care voluntarily, and force-feeding is stressful. You should absolutely have some CC on hand for after the surgery though, in case she won’t eat of her own.

          Many here have had their girl buns spayed and we’ll be happy to give you more tips about after-care ?

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      FORUM HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Spaying and Prep