Can bunny be in XPen after neuter, or should he be in smaller cage?

[Peapod026]

Hi All!

 Merlin’s neuter appointment is 4 days away, and as I’ve read from loads of other posts on here, I’m just as nervous as it’s my first bunny neuter! Anyway, his abode right now is a large XPen attached to a two-story hutch. I’m wondering if he should be kept in a smaller cage after the neuter, as I’ve heard running around (which he can do in his xpen) may not be the best for him/can lead to him hurting himself. We have a smaller cage that we used for him when he was a baby, and he can’t really run around in it, as it’s too small. BUT, it would restrict his movement? What should we do?

[Sarita]

Xpen is fine. It still limiting his activity. He doesn’t really need to be restricted that much or that long.

[kirstyol]

I was told by the vet to keep Bramble limited to his cage for a few days to a week after surgery, then let him in his pen for a few hours and gradually increase his pen time over a week, no free roaming at all during that time. I would ask your vet because they might all recommend slightly different but I think a weeks cage rest is quite common. Bramble was a little unwell after his op so that might have been why the cage rest was longer in his case so I would check with your own vet.

[Flopsie]

id also limit access to the second story, just have one story available.

also, don’t gauge your decisions on the bunny. I saw my bunny doing well and I let her have more and more freedom and she ended up tiring herself out and I got all upset at myself.

Try to limit her movements, even if she continues to get better err on the side of caution and do what your rabbit savvy vet says

[Beka27]

Successful surgery vibes for Merlin! 🙂

Whatever you decide should be just fine, but if you use the two story hutch, find some way to block off the top level. Horizontal space to hop around is fine, but you want to minimize jumping up to protect his incision.

Boys bounce back very quickly, he’ll be good as new before you know it!

[Peapod026]

Hey guys!
Thanks for the responses! There’s a door I can close to restrict Merlin’s access to the second level, which I was planning on doing and totally forgot to mention!
I’ll talk to the vet on Monday, and maybe keep him in a smaller cage in our room after the surgery, then move him to his xpen whenever the vet says it’s alright.
Thanks for the vibes! I’ll post an update on what the vet says and how he does. I’m so nervous but I know he’ll be ok!

[Beka27]

If he will feel more at home in his xpen, leave him there. It shouldn’t be necessary to have him in your room, and that might agitate him more if he’s “out of his element”.

[Megabunny]

And you want him to have some exercise so his gut doesn’t slow down. Post surgery can be more of a problem than the anesthesia. Keep him eating and getting some exercise. My guy is having major surgery this week and I’m jumping through hoops to have everything on hand ahead of time for post-op.

Has Merlin grown into those ears yet???

[Sindri]

Both mine were kept in an xpen after their neuter and spay. I just made it smaller in size and made sure everything they needed was all close by and at ground level. I hope Merlin’s neuter goes well!

[CojoCinder]

My flemmie just got neutered a couple weeks ago and he bounced back completely fine! We just confined him to his normal little expen for the rest of the first day and the second (no second level) and then he was back to normal!

[Peapod026]

Thanks so much for all the responses, guys! Well, we just got back from Merlin’s surgery earlier today! Like what everyone said on here, the rabbit-savvy vet said to keep Merlin in his Xpen, which we are doing. So far he’s only slept but has eaten a little and drank a good amount of water. He even hopped over to his litterbox to relieve himself (what a good boy!). He keeps licking his wound, so I’m a little paranoid and worried he’s going to agitate the incision, but I’ll check his wound in the morning, and if looks really bad, I’ll get him an E-Collar, or maybe some pain meds (since that might be the problem).
I’ll keep you guys updated on his progress!
And no, megabunny—-Merlin hasn’t grown into his ears yet! He’s got the worst case of helicopter ears I’ve ever seen! I think he must be a French Lop mix, so he’s got one huge lop ear, and a normal-sized upright ear! Haha, it’s very cute, but totally goofy looking!

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