Help!! Acting funny

[Caitlyn C]

Hi Everyone! So Stanley was neutered 7/24. He was sent home with pain meds that began with a b. I gave it twice a day for 5 days. So he stopped last Tuesday. He seemed ok but still off. Saturday I noticed him acting very uncomfortable. He would get up and lay down every 10 seconds. He was also constantly grooming himself. Now, I’ve seen 2 different vets for him. One I chose for his nueter because she sees exotics regularly and took care of my dogs when I was younger. I also have seen a doctor at Vca when I can’t get a hold of my regular. I couldn’t afford to bring him to my normal vet on Saturday but I have care credit (a credit card for health things) and my regular vet doesn’t take it. Also my regular vet wasn’t on on Saturday. I felt he needed immediate help

So she prescribed him metacam. Sorry, got side tracked!
He has been eating pellets hay and his fave collard greens, drinking and going to the bathroom normally. My problem is that he doesn’t come out to play anymore is he angry because of the nueter?? I’m going to buy him new toys today. He just seems overall really off. Need some help.

I also wanted to know if it’s wierd that he is still off? I read so many cases online of bunnies that are back to normal the day after . Did I administer the pain meds wrong? I know they said not to let him swallow it. Idk guys hopefully I’m overthinking it
Thank u

[jerseygirl]

Did I administer the pain meds wrong? I know they said not to let him swallow it.

Im confused by what you mean here. Can you clarify? Do you mean the pain med he had straight after the op? Did you have to give injections?

I guess every rabbit is different how they respond to surgery. It also takes a month for the hormones to settle so they can be out of sorts for a while.

It sounds like he might have had a bit of gas on Saturday. Was he pressing his belly into the floor?

[Caitlyn C]

I don’t think so. He’d just lay down lick his paws get up and lay back down. Sorry I know this doesn’t make sense but I’m very stressed about it. Could he be stressed because he is shedding? I read that online too. He’s constantly grooming himself.

[LittlePuffyTail]

How is your bunny doing today?

Getting up and laying down repeatedly can be a sign of tummy upset.

[Deleted User]

Hi Caitlyn! I am no expert (as you know), but that sounds all ok to me…. and metacam is a form of pain relief – I still have a bottle from when I was given some for my dog (note to self – it will be out of date, throw it out!). If beautiful Stanley is eating, drinking, pooping and peeing normally and the only problem is his ignorance (lol!) he is doing well. No, he is not angry at you – he is just adjusting to life without being overwhelmed with hormones, and they will be a bit crazy for a while, so you’ll have to excuse his behaviour till everything inside settles. That can take up to 6 weeks. Anyone who had a bunny neutered that bounced back the next day is very ‘lucky’ and I’ve never heard of it personally. Henry did very well after his neuter (compared to other BB bunnies), so I considered myself fortunate – but that took a good month. I’d allow at least 6 weeks from what I have read on others experiences. And even then, we had to start our relationship all over again – (and every bunny is different) Henry is only just coming to me for pats and I’ve had him for well over a year. I just gave him the space and security he needed for him to trust and approach me. Do you know that I can pick Henry up now (only when I HAVE to) and I no longer have to chase him. He finally trusts me to approach him and after a pat I can quickly grab him – I cut his nails last week end! Woo-hoo! Ha ha ha…..

Sadly, it will be a time thing – but well worth it in the end. Patience (and “I’m” not good at that! Lol!) will get you there with Stanley – it worked for me (finally!).
Oh, and Henry is a 24/7 shedder – now that I can pick him up, I don’t want toooo – I get ‘covered’ in FLUFF! Yuck! Ha ha ha ha…. But yes, I have heard that when bunny’s shed during seasons, they can act up too – a bit like hormones. So you need to allow for that as well. But I wouldn’t worry about the constant grooming – how cool Stanley is a super keen clean bunny, BONUS!

Take care Caitlyn, and keep us up to date with Stanley and how he progresses with his ‘after’ neuter behaviour. Cheers, Andi.

[jerseygirl]

I was just confused as to why they said for him not to swallow the pain meds. Am I reading that wrong? If he had oral pain meds, obviously he’d need to swallow them. Maybe they meant about it to going into the windpipe? Aspirating??

If he is shedding a lot, he might have gotten uncomfortable with some of the fur passing through his system.
The way he was lying down could also have been his he was putting pressure on the surgery site… Did he get any swelling in his sacs?

Sometimes the change we see after neuter is more to do with the rabbits age. Especially if they’re done in that first 4-8 months. Coming out of that baby stage. Many babies will let you hold them and can be more active, playful, affectionate. As they get older there is a subtle shift in personality. And sometimes not so subtle! Lol
Give your boy some time though. He should come around and engage more with you again.

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