Hazel’s getting spayed

[Blackavar3]

We are getting Hazel spayed next week. We have never had a bunny spayed before and I am a bit anxious, I guess I am looking for reassurance that this is a routine operation and there’s little chance of anything going wrong? – this is what our vet tells me and she seems pretty bunny savvy.

Can anyone also offer advice regarding typical bunny behaviour following a successful operation is? I know that she will probably not be herself for a couple of days, I have taken time of work to keep a close eye on her, but don’t want to be taking her back to the vet every 5 minutes in a panic. Should I separate her from our other bunny Clarissa until she is back to normal?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

If your vet is rabbit savvy and does a lot of them-there really is little chance anything can go wrong! *hugs*

They are generally very sleepy the day of the spay-from the medication and being awake and nervous at the clinic. For the next few days-while taking pain medication, they are still a bit off.
You’ll want to limit her time out of her cage-when they have had pain medicatin they are not feeling pain so they can easily over do it and hurt themselves. You have to be a ‘bad bunny mom’ and keep them locked up in a small area for at least four days after the surgery, and try to keep her quiet until about two weeks while it heals.
The most important thing is to make sure she’s eating and pooping.

-It looks like she’s bonded with Clarissa-from the picture in your avatar. If yes-It’s very IMPORTANT to take them to the vet together-Clarissa can keep her company before and after surgery. It may ruin their bond if she’s gone for a whole day and comes back smelling like a different rabbit. Don’t worry-vets know this is common-all my bunnies go to the vet in pairs for the whole day

Keep us posted!!!

[Blackavar3]

Great advice, thanks, I feel a lot more relaxed about the whole thing now.

Yes they are bonded (although the black rabbit in my avatar isn’t Hazel, that’s Leah who sadly passed away last year, must update!), I will make sure they make the trip to the vets together as they go everywhere together anyway. I presume you don’t mean keep Clarissa at the vets all day as well though?

[Sarita]

Well you could keep Clarissa at the vet all day – they may not put her together right after the surgery though as they need to monitor Hazel.

[BinkyBunny]

Some vets won’t allow them to be together the whole day only because it is not uncommon for one rabbit to pick on the the one that they see as “sick”, so IF your vet does not allow them to stay together, just be sure to have them ride home together and have someone go with you so you can pet them both mixing their scents on the way home.

I also always recommend article about pre and post op care from the house rabbit society – great info! http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/spay-neuter.html#pre-post-care

Keep us updated. Healing vibes for Hazel, and peace and calm vibes for you!

[Blackavar3]

Thanks for the advice, she is in surgery just now so fingers crossed. I wanted to post a picture of her but can’t figure out how to compress the pictures just now.

 

 

[Sarita]

Please let us know when you hear from the vet. Vibes for Hazel.

[Blackavar3]

Hazel is back home with us, the vet said it went well and she came round from the anaesthetic quite well, phew!

She is sitting in the corner on her own at the moment, but she has been nibbling at some hay and has pooped already so I guess that’s good news. She’s just washed her face as well.

The only thing is she has a dog collar/lampshade looking thing to stop her trying to get at her wound (even though the stitches are under the skin), she has had a few goes at them so far but she really really doesn’t want to put the collar on, is it best to stress her out a bit and get this on her properly, or leave it off?

[Sarita]

Well I would see how she does with it off for a little while if she starts to bother her stitches then I would put it on or at least put it on before you go to bed since you cannot watch her.

My vet usually does the glue stuff for stitches is that what your’s did or are their staples? I know from my experience with the glue I haven’t had any problems with the stitches coming out…but others may have had different experiences.

[Blackavar3]

I’m not sure what type of stitches they are…the vet just told us not to let her lick them if possible. She is OK just now, when she starts trying to lick them I try and put the collar on and that discourages her. I’ll keep you posted.

[skunklionshow]

Be sure to monitor her food intake and waste output.  This helps to ensur that everything is going okey dokey and her appetite is solid. 

[Blackavar3]

I was up several times in the night to check her and she seems fine. This morning she’s eating a lot of hay (and some litter) and pooping plenty, she’s not interested in pellets yet though. She just gave my hand a friendly lick/nibble which is normal behaviour for her, we’re so chuffed she seems to be coping well.

[BinkyBunny]

She seems to be doing well. The fact that she is eating hay is great. Some females don’t want to eat at ALL for the first 24 hours so that always is worrisome, but at least she is munching up hay That’s good. Her appetite should return to normal within a few days.

Hopefully she won’t mess with her incision so you don’t have to put the collar on her.

Keep us updated!

[RabbitPam]

Hi,

If the vet did not book an appointment to bring her back (for stitches removal) than chances are they are the glue/dissolving kind.

I had Samantha spayed this year and was very surprised and relieved to have had an experience much like yours. She didn’t get a collar, but her recovery was really fast. We happened to have a family issue come up simultaneously, so I didn’t hover as much as I would have, and lo and behold, she was just fine. Such a relief. (Family is OK, too, btw.) I would make sure she doesn’t have anything in her habitat to jump up on since they said jumping was bad for them for at least a week. Also make sure she is drinking her water, though she sounds like she came through with flying colors.

[Blackavar3]

We took her to the vet on Monday for a post op check up and she’s fine (stitches are the dissolving kind, so no need for removal). So happy that she’s come through it so well, I was so worried! Thanks for all the advice guys.

[Sarita]

I’m glad to hear that Hazel is doing good!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Wooohoooo!! Congrats Hazel!

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