He’s getting castrated…

[SirThumpsey]

I have set up an appointment with a vet downtown to get him nuetered. More accurately get him an exam to make sure he is healthy enough to be nuetered. So lots of blood work (AHH, I’m scared of needles Guess I’ll just have to look away…or would he pick up on that?) After that I can set up the appointment for the surgery. I have to admit, I’m still alittle worried. His appointment is next Friday.

I really really really don’t want him to hate this vet. I have heard that it’s a good idea to give him treats when he gets there. What do you guys thing of giving him something that he will only get at the vet. Since vet visits (hopefully) will be pretty rare for him, I’m thinking something a little sweet wouldn’t be too bad as long as it’s rare. Then maybe he would look forward to going to the vet….  Here’s to hoping!

Do you have any ideas for sweet treats? My friend who used to be a Vet Tech told me that the only way they will likely take their pain meds is if it’s crushed up in applesauce with a little bit of sugar added. I want to make sure that this doesn’t make him sick…so I might soon be on the search for other ideas. Hopefully, the vet will give me plenty of ideas.

For some reason, I am really excited about this. But also pretty nervous.

 

Off to do calming exercises….

[Furface]

My vet is awesome with bunnies, she knows just how to handle them. I don’t get to watch her taking blood samples, she takes them to the lab area for that.

[Briana C.]

aww i hope it goes well! That reminds me to mke my appointments. I was just wondering, how much does your vet charge, im just trying to get an average. Thanks, and good luck!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Good luck to you and your bun at the vet. I’ve always been given liquid pain meds for my buns and never had much trouble giving it to them because it is usually just a small amount. Hopefully your vet can give you the liquid kind.

[KatnipCrzy]

usually Metacam is given for pain meds post-surgery and it is an artificially flavored sweet syrup (supposed to taste honey flavored).  Cotton loved her Metacam and after the first dose learned to grab the end of the syringe in her teeth so I just had to press the plunger to get her to take it.

For treats you can try raisins or Craisins.  My bunnies get Craisins when they are out at night when we watch TV.  I don’t give raisins out of their pen because I have dogs- and raisins are toxic to dogs.  If your bunny is too nervous he may not eat a treat at the office.  It might not be a bad idea to introduce a healthy treat like Craisins or raisins (in moderation) before surgery- as treats are usually the first thing they will eat after surgery- then greens, pellets, hay.

[SirThumpsey]

My friend thought that they gave pills….she’s never had her rabbits fixed and I’m guessing a lot has changed since she was a vet.

That Metacam stuff sounds amazing…whoever thought that up was a genius…

My vet charges $34 for the exam and then around 90 for the nuetering. It’s more for females to get spayed, usually.

[SirThumpsey]

So I took him to the vet today and…

They didn’t do any blood work!  I thought they were supposed to. I know that not all places do but I’m pretty sure that it might be the only way to really check for any underlining illnesses.

He asked “Does he have a good appetite” Oh boy, does he ever. He basically felt up poor Lil Thumps a lot. I think maybe he was checking to make sure no organs were enlarged but I can’t be sure. He also checked his heartbeat and to make sure that both of his testicles had dropped (which they had).

Oh boy…Sir Thumps hated it. He looked at me and said “Make this strange man STOP TOUCHING ME” He kept trying to pick the little guy up.
He did pet him a little bit and said go on back to mommy. He hopped right over to me. He has calmed down. Once he saw our dog “Honkey” (DISCLAIMER: I did not name this poor dog) he calmed down significantly. Possibly because he knew he was home or cause he really likes Honkey.

So what I want to know from you guys is what did your vet do and how did your vet treat your bunny rabbits the first time he/she met him/her/them.

I don’t think I like this guy. I have heard some good things about him though. I have been taught to always trust my gut though…We’ll see.

I understand that because it was his first time he was probably a little freaked out.  I just really don’t know about this guy.

 

[Balefulregards]

Well, vets do handle a lot of animals – so sometimes I am shocked when I see my vet handle Coco ( or my cat) – thinking “If I touched her like that I would be shredded to bits”

and Coco does the “You let this stranger TOUCH me!!!” run for me after an exam too. Then I get bunny butt for a day or so. Then I am forgiven.

I think the best check is to get references from other rabbit savvy people who use this vet, or on the house rabbit site.

[Elrohwen]

Otto has a wonderful rabbit vet and she does pick him up and handle him a lot. She’s very comfortable with bunnies and he seems to realize that and not struggle (being in a new place also helps him stay still and not struggle like he would at home). Vets have to handle them a lot, so as long as your vet wasn’t being rough (which it doesn’t sound like he was) I don’t see any red flags. If you really don’t like the guy, your guy knows best, but, personally, I would be much more nervous if my vet didn’t feel up my bunny and check him everywhere.

You could definitely try giving special treats, but your bun will probably go to the vet so infrequently (hopefully) that he won’t even remember he gets a treat. It’s always going to be stressful, so if he’ll take a craisin or something that might help him, but don’t be surprised if he’s too nervous to eat it. I put hay in the carrier and find that Otto does nibble sometimes, so I’m sure it’s calming for him to have something to chew on.

As for cost of neuter, my vet charges $300, with a bit more for the blood work. They’re very expensive, but I live in one of the most expensive parts of the country so it doesn’t surprise me. They’re by far the best exotic vet clinic in the area, so I’m willing to suck it up and pay them because I totally trust the quality of care.

[BinkyBunny]

How old is Sir Thumps? I am sorry, I am sure it has been obvious somewhere. But if he is rather young, then some vets don’t do blood work. Mine always has, but I also have older bunnies and their age makes it necessary to do blood work. I always think it is a good idea even in young rabbits if the owner is willing to pay for it. It never hurts to have all the information you can prior to surgery, but I don’t think that your vet not doing it (if your bunny is young) means that he is not good.

My vets will do a body check too — They can find all kinds of things this way. This is how Jack’s bladder stone was discovered. So it’s good that your vet did that.

I have two great vets who know rabbits very well. One of my vets actually helps with the House Rabbit Society, so she has had her share of tough cookies and can handle aggression and squirmy bunnies very well. The other one is also very good with rabbits – she knows how to move quickly to avoid a rabbit bite! Which is good, because I am always drawn to adopt the challenging bunnies.

As far as treats go, our vets office has rabbit treats at the front reception, but my bunnies are always much too stressed and normally refuse treats while they are there. I usually bring a handful of hay in the carrier and Jack ends up munching on that towards the end of the session once the vet is done handling them.

So far I don’t see any real red flags. I mean if he said you had to fast your bunny prior or anything that would be a huge alert, but I also understand wanting to be fully comfortable with the person that is doing this. If you have any doubts you can ask him some more questions – check out these screening question from HRS – http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/spay-neuter.html#good-questions (that article also includes pre-post surgery advice)

Also, during exams, don’t be afraid to ask questions about what your vet is doing at the time. It’s just a way to educate yourself too and any good vet should not feel upset in the least about you asking.

The price sure is fair! Normally it’s around $150 or so, so $90 dollars is a good deal if you trust he’s rabbit-savvy

Keep us updated.

[SirThumpsey]

He is a young bun. He’s about 5-6 months old. When he went to check his teeth (which I’ve been afraid to do since he’s a squirmer) he said to me “Why is he touching my face!!!”

The nueter is 86 but the total with the exam (they require you get an exam and for good reason) It’s like 120. I am happy with the price. The other place only wanted 90 (no exam!) and withheld food (eek). I didn’t even get to the part about the isoflorene. When I went in they didn’t have a single picture of a rabbit on the wall(they did have a squirl next to a santa hat. I <3 Squirles. I think their tales are just adorable.) They had lots of cats and dogs. (which I guess is typical because more people own cats or dogs) I decided that I was going to take in a picture of him. Maybe I can catch him in the middle of a binky.

I promised you guys that I would post pictures of him but have never gotten around to it. Sorry! I can’t seem to find my camera…but I’ll get them to you as soon as I find it.

[Beka27]

That is an excellent price for the neuter. If you’re not liking the vet, you can definitely continue to look for one you like better. If you feel confident in his skills, you may want to go ahead and have him do the surgery (seriously, that is an awesome price!) and then resume your search for a more personable vet after that. It really is your call. You need to be comfortable with who is providing Sir Thumps’ vet care. Correct me if I’m wrong, but don’t you have a female also who is going to need to be spayed or am I thinking of someone else?

[RabbitPam]

When you go on the House Rabbit Society via the link BB gave, also check out their recommended vet list. You input your location, and they have a list of exotic vets that are rabbit savvy that might be located near you. You can call one of those listed to have a second vet option, either for this surgery or for after this is finished. It is a very good price. Not all vets are all that good with humans, but know their animals. I’ve had vets that seemed OK, but when I saw a really good vet in action I felt much better in my gut, too.

[SirThumpsey]

That is correct. She started pulling out her fur a little bit so now I’m just waiting for the kits. (When she does have them, I’ll start a new thread..)

I’m pretty sure that my friend would have had no idea how to take care of the babies. Good thing I took her when I did.

…So, anyone want a new baby bunny? Just kidding of course. I have been talking to some people and I have found some places.

I know it is a good price but I think I just really wasn’t sure what to expect. I forgot to bring the paper with all the questions to ask on it. So I didn’t get to ask him the questions. >.< I was really kinda hoping that he would take some blood but if it really wasn't neccesary then I am glad he didn't. I also expected it to take longer.

I already checked and there isn’t one near me. I think the closest one is 2 hours away. I don’t drive so that wouldn’t really work.

[Furface]

Posted By SirThumpsey on 06/28/2009 05:33 PM
That is correct. She started pulling out her fur a little bit so now I’m just waiting for the kits. (When she does have them, I’ll start a new thread..)

I’m pretty sure that my friend would have had no idea how to take care of the babies. Good thing I took her when I did.

…So, anyone want a new baby bunny? Just kidding of course. I have been talking to some people and I have found some places.

I know it is a good price but I think I just really wasn’t sure what to expect. I forgot to bring the paper with all the questions to ask on it. So I didn’t get to ask him the questions. >.< I was really kinda hoping that he would take some blood but if it really wasn't neccesary then I am glad he didn't. I also expected it to take longer.

I already checked and there isn’t one near me. I think the closest one is 2 hours away. I don’t drive so that wouldn’t really work.

OK, I’m confused. Is it “He’s getting castrated…” or He’s having babies. LOL The later might make you a ton of money. LOL I think you must have wanted to post this in: Q & A > Mean Agressive rabbit…HELP

 

[SirThumpsey]

OK, I’m confused. Is it “He’s getting castrated…” or He’s having babies. LOL The later might make you a ton of money. LOL I think you must have wanted to post this in: Q & A > Mean Agressive rabbit…HELP

Sir Thumps a lot is definitly a boy. Bunnie (female) however had babies early this morning.

I brought up Bunnie in this thread because Beka27 asked if I also had a female that needed spaying. She does but I think she might need to wean the kits first…

[Furface]

See, I am confused. LOL
& AWWW babies, pictures, please. LOL

[Beka27]

Oh that’s right! I think I mentioned the emergency spay to you, but it is obviously too late for that.

[SirThumpsey]

I think I mentioned the emergency spay to you, but it is obviously too late for that.

Haha, yeah. Just a little bit.

AWWW babies, pictures, please. LOL

Might be a bit difficult for awhile. She may have calmed down but she is really protective.

My dog liked to reach his head in the rabbit cages and clean up the poo (he eats it…Why? I really don’t know) so I’ll have to make sure to keep him out or she might eat his face. lol.

[Furface]

Bunnny poops are my dogs favorite too. I think she’d clean it all up if I’d let her. LOL
I’ve often wondered if this is a herd protective type behaviour. Distroy the evedince of their flock being in the area type thing.
My dog is a shepherd, collie, lab mix. I wanted a critter protector type rather than a critter hunter type. LOL
What type of dog do you have?

[SirThumpsey]

He is a maltise/poodle. He is a very sweet dog and just wants to play with EVERYTHING. Birds, squirrels, wild rabbit, pit bulls…it doesn’t matter.

That is an interesting theory. It’s still strange.

Do you know if it is okay for him to eat it? I forgot to ask the vet when I was there a couple days ago…

[SirThumpsey]

Looking over this thread, I realized that this has gotten pretty off topic.

[mrmac]

My old dog (poor Ruby RIP) used to eat bunny poo all the time! It used to make her sick and we’d have to take her to the vet and give her meds for it. It was gross.

[BinkyBunny]

Well, the dog at the rabbit rescue I used to volunteered for always ate rabbit poop. Not that the shelter encouraged him to help us clean or anything, but there was plenty of opportuntity with all of the bunnies around to sneak eat. (he was a very calm easy-going dog who liked bunnies so he could hang out at the shelter with the volunteers during the day.) The dog didn’t ever seem to show problems from it. I know that rabbit poop can be very high in nitrogen, and I really don’t know though, if long term, large amounts would eventually cause upset or not. (I think he’d have to eat a heck of lot of it)

[SirThumpsey]

Oh, he eats a ton. Everytime I clean their cages he raids the bag. He has tried to climb into their cages before and has sometimes succeeded. There have also been times when he tried to do that while they were still in the cage. *shakes head* As you can imagine the buns don’t like that much. He loves them. Sir Thumps a lot has been biting him to say “Leave me alone!” Honkey is up Sir Thumps butt alot. He follows them like they are candy dispensers. It’s cute but gross.

When Sir Thumps a lot claimed the one chair in his room, he’d poo all over it. That made Honkey very happy because he sleeps on that chair (or used to) About once a week I try to clean off all of it with a vacuum hose but he gets most of them. When I emptied the little vacuum cleaner it looked like I poured a whole box of cocoa puffs in the trash.

Anyway, I’ll try to get him to stop munching on the poo. In case it’s not good for him. Then I won’t have to worry as much when he licks me.. 🙂

My dad isn’t involved much with the rabbits so when he found rabbit poo around the dogs bowl…he thought it was Honkey’s dog food. (It’s simular in shape, size and color) I just had to laugh at him.

[EmmaG]

When i adopted my bun he was already neutered and I must say I’m glad. After all I reading I’ve been doing, I didn’t want him spraying his urine all over the place. But I am shocked at how long they take to heal. He was neutered about 3 weeks ago and the incision is finally all scabbed. Someone liked cleaning his down under parts a little too much!
But I won’t be too worried. I’m sure he’ll be fine!

[SirThumpsey]

I have an appointment for Wednesday with the same vet. I found out that they do give Metacam (sp?) for after surgery so it should be a lot easier to give him his meds (HOPEFULLY!) Directly afterwards they give him an injection and then send him home with Metacam.

I think it would be best that I don’t let his doggy friend Honkey play with him too much.

I know I shouldn’t be nervous but it doesn’t help much.

Do you guys have any extra advice on after surg. home care?

[Karla]

My bunny got neutered about 3 weeks ago, and I was so worried – and for no reason

He had an apointment at 8.30 am and at 11 am the vet called and said I could pick him up. It went really fast. For the same reason the vet was not interested in all the treats and his favourity teddy bear that I wanted him to have with him in his cage.
But boy I was glad that I had taken the day off, for the first 2 hours were horrible. He kept falling to one side as his feet wouldn’t do as he wanted, and he panicked everytime trying to run away. Due to the sedatives, he was peeing all over himself, so I had to keep changing the towels under him. Oh, it was so horrible to watch him fall and panic, and I just sat by his cage trying to hold him down and was weeping. But at 4 pm he was eating like normal and wanted out of his cage.

And the next day I let him out and he was running and jumping around. I wasn’t even sure if I should give him his medication, because he seemed so well, but he loved every drop of the medicine and just kept liking the syringe, so it was no problem to give it to him.

I think his hormones sort of messed up for a while afterwards, because he became such a naughty and annoying bunny, but now he has relaxed and is so loving and sweet. Much more calm than before.

Some vets offer to let the bunny stay overnight, but having seen Karl now straight after the operation, I would not be able to bear this. I would rather take the day off and be there for him.

[Deb'sBuns]

How are the babies? How many are there?

[SirThumpsey]

He got neutered on Wednesday. When we got him home he hid behind the TV for a while. I layed my head down and he started grunting softly and groomed my bangs. 😀 I was worried that he was in pain but maybe he still felt a little wierd. I think he may have been a little upset cause he was in a strange place without me. Thursday I had off work so I was able to monitor him and make sure that he was doing okay. He was doing a bunch a binkies (not his normal level of crazy but it was nice to see) Today he was binkying all over the place. I’m guess that he is feeling much better.

They gave him an injection of metcam before I took him home but didn’t send me home with anything. I think I read baby tylenol was safe for rabbits but since I am not sure of the dosage, I probably won’t give him any. They basically just said to keep an eye on the area incase it gets infected. I’ve been much more OCD about keeping his cage clean…(he’s a really dirty rabbit…I clean it and two seconds later he has already made a mess…reminds me of toddlers.) I’m hoping that the cleaner cage will help prevent that.

When he first came home he was licking at his…well where his testicles used to be. That’s pretty normal, right?
They also told me before I left the vet that he was already eating and drinking fine…which begs the question…What were they feeding him? guess that was something I should have asked…Doh!

Overall, he’s doing well. Guess I didn’t have much reason to be worried.

Thank you for helping me through this, guys.

[Beka27]

Males tend to bounce back pretty quickly. It sounds like he’s doing great! Continued healing vibes for Sir Thumps!

How is your female, are there any babies yet?

[SirThumpsey]

Thank you, Beka27.

No babies yet. Not sure if there will be any…I said in another post that she might just be faking it.

[Moonlight_Wolf]

Lol my bunny never had a false pregnancy, in fact she was never very hormonal, she is just a mellow little girl.

[SirThumpsey]

Sir Thumps a lot is the mellow one. Well, the baby is pretty mellow but I’m pretty sure that she’s just sleepy. Bunnie wasn’t really high strung, but could be grumpy. Not towards me, but towards other animals. She was a sweet heart towards humans.

[SirThumpsey]

How long does it take for all the sperm and hormones to clear out of his system? It has been about two weeks (close to three) and he seems really interested in Halo (female unspayed) and I’m wondering if he just wants to mate with her. She seems really interested in him too.

I’d like to have them out and play together but I don’t want more babies.

[Author]

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