Bad vet?

[Ana]

So, I’m looking for a vet to do a spay on my lionhead.  I’m following the House Rabbit guidelines, but… one vet that I thought was good seems to be failing my test.

Is it crucial they take out both ovaries and uterus?  They said that when I brought her in they wouldn’t feed her– just while she was getting “preped” for surgery.  Should she be eating up until the last minute?  She said there was a post-op medication– what could it be?

Another vet did both uterus and ovaries, but was a hundred more…

Any advice? (I looked through some threads, but ned more answers!)

Thanks!

[Beka27]

i think it is important that they take out both or else the risk of cancer will not be reduced. it is important that she not be fasted. it might be necessary to pay a little bit more for a very good rabbit savvy vet, or you can continue to look around. contact other exotic vets, even if they are not listed on the HRS page and ask the same questions.

[reds2212]

I didn’t even realize that anyone would do the ovaries or the uterus. I’ve never heard of this, it’s usually everything. Get the best vet you can find and pay what you need to to get the job done properly. My first vet left the practice to be a stay at home mom. Every vet on the area referred me to one doc and that ended up being a terrible mess. About one month after my Roo was spayed, she had GI stasis and would cry in pain. It would resolve and come back again. The vet that did the spay diagnosed her with bladder sludge, UTI, stasis etc. It took another 3 vets and four months (and 4 thousand dollars which is killing us) for someone to figure out what was wrong with her. I had to drive 2 hours from my house to see this vet. Ended up she had an abcess from the spay that was wrapped around her colon and causing the stasis problems and the abcess was so large it was pressing on her bladder and making her incontinent when it would flare up. The kicker is, there was an ovary left behind! Do what you have to so to find a good vet for your bunny.

[OllieBunnysMamma]

Wow… scary stuff. I would definetly go with your instincts. If it doesn’t feel right, something is wrong. I would contact your local rescues for a recommendation in vet care. I am sure you could have luck in that.

[Deleted User]

yes very much so

[Ana]

Oh gosh! Reds, that’s a terrible story. That scares me. Of course I would spend what’s needed for a good spay, I was just surprised by the difference. Thanks for the support everyone!

[osprey]

I have never heard of the partial spay thing either.  The ovaries are the source of most of the hormones that cause behavioral problems, and the uterus is the part of the anatomy that has a high cancer risk.  They usually do both.  Also, the no feeding thing is distressing too.  I have had techs tell me not to feed a rabbit (I just tell them this is what we always do and they sort of stop) but never a vet.  A vet that knows bunnies would want food available at all times to try to prevent GI problems.  Is Rabbit Haven in Gig Harbor near you?  A local rescue might be able to suggest a different vet.

[BinkyBunny]

Double Ditto here. I would continue the vet search.

[jerseygirl]

You may have already read some of this info but I’ll post it anyway as someone who hasn’t may find it useful.  Its a Q&A to Dana Krempel, expert many here at BB have mentioned and seem to hold in high esteem.  It might help you ask the right questions when “screening” or interviewing a vet.  I’ve highlighted the link that relates to Pre and Post-Op care.

Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
Date: 12/27/2005
Subject: Fixing a rabbit

Question
Could you tell me about how much the procedure costs for fixing a rabbit and how the procedure would differ for male and female rabbits in terms of anesthesia, time and cost?
Thanks, Audrey 
[script removed]

Answer
Dear Audrey,

Spay/neuter surgeries vary wildly in cost, depending on where you are located and who your vet is.  In most cases, you get what you pay for.  Be sure to find a vet who is experienced with rabbit surgeries and anesthesia.  You can find one with the list linked here:

http://www.rabbit.org/vets

The neuter (male) is far less invasive and quicker than a spay (female).  A pre-scrotal neuter is preferable in rabbits, as it is less painful and recovery is usually quicker.  It’s a simple procedure in which the scrotum is opened, the testicles removed and the remaining “tubes” tied off inside so nothing herniates.

In a spay, the abdominal wall is opened (preferably with a very small incision very low on the belly–it takes very little incision and a skilled vet to simply pull out the ovaries and uterus with a surgical “hook” and remove them.  Recovery is a bit longer for a spay, and in both cases, pain management is highly recommended.

Spays are usually more expensive, but just how much more depends on where you are.  Neuters generally range from $90-200, and spays from about $150 – 300.

For more information on what to expect, please visit:

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/spay.html

and

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/opcare.html

I hope this helps. Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana

When I had Jersey spayed I was asked to bring in food that they knew she would eat as it would be important for her to be eating asap after the op.   I didn’t know too much then but I was fortunate to go to a good vet and all went well.  Keep looking until you feel comfortable. 

Goodluck

[dmh426]

wow…i’ve never heard of a partial spay. that freaks me out, honestly. It’s important that they take out all of the reproductive organs, or the likelihood of cancer will still be there. Sophie was given some pain medication, I forget what it was called, but it was basically a bunny aspirin in a liquid form that I gave her witha syringe. She also was glued after surgery and no staples or stitches were used. I would look for a different vet if I were you, one who regularly treats bunnies knows not to fast them…ever.

[Sarita]

Well they may not feed her in the morning before the surgery (they usually do their surgeries between 11am on in my experience) and that would be fine you just would not want to fast her the night before.

Cannot understand either why you wouldn’t want to take both the uterus and ovaries out either!

[ADEE]

the vet that did rains spay did have her fast for a few hours.. i did express my concern but she reassured me that it was safe for her to fast for a couple hours. She has done hundreds of rabbits (works through a few rescues and does all their rabbits too) Rain came through with flying colors, they removed both ovaries and uterus too. she also did NOT have any post surgery meds and is doing great. go with your instincts, good luck!

[kimberleyanddarren]

i dont think the vets would feed the bunny anyway? mine didnt feed them before the op just afterwards, they told me not to starve them but they didnt feed them before, i brought them in at 9 and they did the op at 9:30 so not much time to really and i collected them at 3 i think the best thing to do is pay extra for a vet that you are happy with and you KNOW will do a good job!

[Balefulregards]

My vet fed Coco up until, I believe. I had to fill out very detailed info on what Coco likes best. And Yes, it cost 300 bucks, but I feel pretty confident in the vet. They do the Rescue Spays/neuters and while pricey, they specialize in Just “exotic” pets.

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