fixing my bunny tomorrow- no food & h2o for 12 hours?!

[doodlebut88]

 Hey guys!

 

Reese is getting fixed at 8am in the morning. They told me to withdraw all food and water starting at 8pm, so by 8am, it will have been 12 hours that he hasn’t had food or water.

I’m sure this is normal, but it scares me a little bit because he’s so small and tends to drink most of his water at night.

Will he be ok until tomorrow morning?

 

Also, just some tips for the two of us as we enter this process? I’m actually really a nervous mommy right now and I want to make sure that he’s not in too much pain when he comes home.

 

Thanks, guys!

[sgregory]

it’s actually not good. the house rabbit society webpage says it isn’t necessary b/c rabbits can’t vomit.

“does the veterinarian require withholding of food and water prior to surgery in rabbits? (It is better not to do this–rabbits can’t vomit, so there is no risk of that during surgery, and rabbits should never be allowed to get empty digestive tracts)”

i found this here: http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/spay-neuter.html#pre-post-care

under the “what kind of questions should i ask my vet” section.

[jerseygirl]

Rabbits should not be fasted before surgery. If your vets office did not know this then I’d be seriously questioning their knowledge of rabbits. Were you instructed by the veterinarian or another staff member?

[doodlebut88]

The vet’s office called and left a message instructing me to withdraw food at water by 8pm the evening before the surgery.
It just really makes me nervous.

And the vet is really reputable, but just to be make sure we’re all somewhat on the same page: I was told by the vet that the procedure they use for bunnies is similar to the procedure they use for dogs which is why the surgery will be so costly…is this normal?

[skibunny8503]

I’m not an expert on the whole fixing rabbits since mine were already fixed when I got them but I might get a second opinion on that. Even if a vet is known to be good, are they good with rabbits? Some places are very good with other animals but might not be with rabbits. Let us know what happens :o)

[jerseygirl]

I’m not sure about similarities of sugery either. I do know that anaesthetising rabbits must be done with great care. The qu about fasting is one of the key Qu’s one can ask when testing how rabbit-savvy a vet is.
The link sgregory posted should answer some of your questions.

[doodlebut88]

What seems to be a normal cost for fixing a bun?
I’m paying $150, apparently, and it seems pretty high to me…

I’m starting to think that maybe I need to get a 2nd opinion/find another bunny vet?

[jerseygirl]

That seems normal fee to me. Many here have paid upwards of that. I would question their reason for fasting as this is not normally recommended for rabbits. Perhaps it’s their procedure or type of anesthetic they use so find out. Find out how many rabbit spays and neuters they do per year. Arm yourself with some info then ask them the questions.
Rabbits society link given before can help you with that info and also has a list of recommended vets.

[jerseygirl]

Here you go

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/vet.html

[doodlebut88]

Just checked it out and all of their FAQs.
Maybe I’ll give them a ring in the morning and determine whether or not I’ll actually take him in.
If I don’t feel comfortable, I may have to find another vet in the area.

Thanks for your help!

[jerseygirl]

We posted same time. Is it too late to ring now? I suppose it is, it’s only early arvo here! Hope you don’t get a cancellation fee. Keep us posted.

[BinkyBunny]

You should definitely not fast your bunny prior. It is dangerous to do so as it makes it that much harder for recovery as well. Sometimes the people at the front desk make these calls and forget the protocol for rabbits. I would feed your bunny normally and talk to the vet in the am. If the vet actually agrees with fasting, I wouldn’t have the vet do the surgery. What you may find is that the vet did not agree with fasting and will be happy you didn’t follow the instructions and surgery can continue on as normal. This happens alot.
 

The price you were given sounds right – and actually many vets will charge more – As far as the procedure goes, it is important to have a rabbit-savvy vet, not one that just knows cats and dogs.  Rabbits, being prey animals, have a higher heart-rate and because of this react differently to anesthesia.  My understanding is it takes more to put them under, and they come out quicker - because they have to have more in their system and keep it at that “right” amount (more of a toxic level)  the vets really have to know what they are doing with rabbits. Rabbits are actually considered “exotic” due to the fact that they need react differently to meds and their systems are different than cats and dogs.  So vets who know about rabbits had to have had more schooling to deal with exotics. 

I just hope it was the front desk staff that was misinformed (either way though, they need to be more careful!)

Keep us udpated!

[Hedi]

Doodle- fasting for a bunny is definitely NOT normal. I know one of my buns was fixed at our humane society and they told me to have my bun fast as well. But it was because the front staff didnt know better. I am guessing the front staff may be new and didnt know better? Bunnies can not throw up so it is not harmful for them to eat before surgery like other animals.

I just posted because I figured the more people telling you this info would make you feel better.

Suggestions-go ahead and buy your buns favorite fragrant veggies and herbs now so when you get home you have them on hand. It can be normal for your bun to just pick at food for the 1st 24 hrs after surgery even though it can be so nerve racking for you. But if you have stuff on hand that your bun will eat and loves then it will be easier on you. Keep your bun confined to a cage or pen that he can be comfortable in. And make sure he isnt messing w/ any of his stitches after surgery.

[Deb'sBuns]

I’ve had a number of bunnies fixed myself and they have never had food or water withdrawn. I even take their dishes in and take a bottle of water with. I also take their pellets, put lots of hay in the crate and bring veggies.

[Beka27]

As everyone else said, never fast a bunny. It’s now the next day. Did you take him in for the surgery? If so, I’ll send some healing vibes your way! Let us know how he does…

[KatnipCrzy]

It is so standard routine to fast a dog or cat before surgery- it might be a mistake the RECEPTIONIST made.  If that is the case- please don’t hold it against the vet.

I work at a vet clinic and we do bunny spays/neuters- and we don’t do a ton of them because there really are not that many people calling to get it done.  And even though our receptionists should know better than to say to fast a rabbit- they could fall into their “routine pre-surg” speech and apply it to a bunny.  It is not the right advice- but it is not the vets fault either.  Though you could mention to the vet that is was a good thing you knew to disregard that so the issue of training can be addressed.

[doodlebut88]

Thanks so much for everyone’s advice!
This has all been really helpful.

I put Reese’s food and water back in his cage around midnight last night and woke up around 7am to call the vet.
My intention was to ask the vet himself what the procedure for the surgery would be and what post-op care should be and, particularly, if bunny fasting was what HE had actually intended.
Unfortunately, the vet was in surgery this morning and it was very clear to me that the receptionist was just making informed guesses about the questions I was attempting to ask her.
I think out of frustration, she ended up asking if I just wanted to reschedule next week and she promised to have the vet himself call me so that I could interrogate him a bit before I brought Reese in officially.

I’ll keep you all informed! I love my vet’s office, but if rabbits just aren’t their specialty, I’m not holding that against them.
I may just have to look to the city to find a specialist.

[BinkyBunny]

Oh, yes, let us know what the vet ended up saying. I’m sorry you ended up having to delay, but much better to be safe rather than sorry.

[doodlebut88]

hi friends!
just a quick update: i rescheduled the neutering for Reese for this morning but requested that the surgeon call me before i brought him in so that i could ask him some questions.
he called yesterday and i asked about all the details of the procedure and felt a lot more comfortable than the first time around.
i took Reese in early this morning and was a nervous wreck!
but, by noon, i had received a call that all was well. not only was the surgery successful, but apparently, Reese was extremely well behaved.
he’s such a charmer.

now my little bun has a gaudy, red donut-shaped “necklace” to sport for about a week while he heals up.

at any rate, i wanted to thank everybody here for your feedback and advice.
all is well!

[Beka27]

That’s great!!! Healing vibes to Reese!

[Moonlight_Wolf]

Yea it was most likely the receptionist that was telling you the wrong info. The same happened to me but luckily I was still at the vets when they told me and I let it be known that that it should not be necessary and the other receptionist told me what I really should do pre op!

 

I am glad his surgery  went well

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