I am a Bit of a Worry-Wart, Qs about Neutering

[Raelinn & Gus]

I’m prone to making posts longer than necessary so I apologize in advance.

I scheduled the operation for Gus at the end of February so he can get a wifebun and hopefully have a better quality of life. He is my first ever rabbit and I have already made some mistakes, I’m trying to not make any more, which is why I joined.

1. I can barely afford the surgery and exam, should I go for bloodwork and X-Rays as well just to make sure he has a clean bill of health? Gus is from a less than ‘reputable’ breeder. I don’t think he has ever seen a vet, and money is a little tight (Covid). His surgery is very expensive. I was told I can opt in for bloodwork, $100 and X-Rays, $120 for extra assurance he doesn’t have a preexistent health condition. I just want him to be okay.

2. How do I know for sure I made the right vet choice? They answered all my questions with good responses: I’m not sure I asked the right questions, though. They said they spay/neuter rabbits almost weekly and pretty much never have casualties, their vet has a degree in exotic/small mammals, and that their practice generally works with rabbits a lot.

3. How long after surgery will Gus need to be in a small area, how small is recommended, and are there ways to keep him from being miserable? I just started free roaming Gus in the kitchen and bedroom from a dog crate, X-Pen setup. There are threads on here saying he needs to be in a small area after surgery. I feel bad I’m giving him freedom only to rip it away in a month.

4. Does anyone have successful neuter stories? I’ve been reading some really terrible ones since I scheduled his appointment.

5. From a logical point of view, how risky is this surgery, how worried should I really be? Gus is my baby boy and since I scheduled it I’ve been very emotional at the thought of anything bad happening to him. He is my first small animal and seems so fragile to me and yet I love him so deeply.

6. Lastly, are there any good resources for pre/post op care or info? I’ve been searching but most are very old threads and I don’t know if veterinary practices have updated since then.

I really appreciate the read, and apologize if my questions are stupid.

[Wick & Fable]

1. I can barely afford the surgery and exam, should I go for bloodwork and X-Rays as well just to make sure he has a clean bill of health? 

• Unsure of your finances, but you can ask local rabbit rescues if they know of especially low-cost places for neutering/spaying. Typically, rescues go there because of their funds. Also, if it’s a place that regularly spays/neuters rescue rabbits, they are likely reputable and experienced (or else rescues wouldn’t use them!).
• X-rays are not needed; pre-anesthetic bloodwork is actually usually routine. There are cases where rabbits react very adversely to anesthesia, but my opinion is in those cases, especially when they come up during a spay/neuter, which is for many the first time they undergo anesthesia, it is probably some sort of congenital problem that even if identified, might not be something that can be fixed. Generally, if you and the vet observe your rabbit is healthy, there is typically no problems with anesthesia.

2. How do I know for sure I made the right vet choice?

• What you asked and got back is probably the best you can do. Sounds like a good exotic vet based on their experience.

3. How long after surgery will Gus need to be in a small area, how small is recommended, and are there ways to keep him from being miserable?

• For males, it is a shorter time than with female spays (which are more invasive). It doesn’t need to be a month in my opinion– I would say at least 1 week, and after that, you can gauge. Re: feeling bad for restricting him, you would probably feel much worse if he accidentally tore the surgical site from running around and jumping, so a short time restricted will be fine.

4. Does anyone have successful neuter stories?

• Many, many people have successful neuter stories. When you look online, you will mainly find bad ones, and that’s because people usually post when things go wrong. People don’t make forum posts when things go right, because it’s just the norm. There are no questions or concerns about them. Neuters, especially nowadays, are extremely routine for rabbits and the large majority have no issues.

5. From a logical point of view, how risky is this surgery, how worried should I really be?

• With an experienced vet and understanding that Gus is healthy, little to no risk, and little worry. It’s natural to be worried and that won’t go away, but it is something, as your vet mentions, is done weekly to rabbits all the time.

6. Lastly, are there any good resources for pre/post op care or info? I

• Generally speaking, restricted and clean space free from temptations to jump around and then make sure you have at least one dose of pain med to administer at home to get your rabbit through that first part of recovery.
• DO NOT FAST YOUR RABBIT BEFORE THE SURGERY. He should have a morning meal as usual, eat hay, drink water, etc.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Susanne]

Hi, my rabbit had a successful surgery! I was very nervous before as well since also new to rabbit parenting.  It took him a few hours after getting home to leave his carrier. I was so freaked out about him not eating, but I’d give him pellets and he nibbled them, and once he came out he started eating hay again. Also my vet forgot to give me the pain meds but luckily I noticed on the paperwork and went back to get them. Good thing, because I could tell when he needed them, the only time I’ve seen him tooth grind in pain. Not that he was in horrible shape but knew he needed them earlier than directed. About an hour after the dose (I had to either drop meds on kale or soak in his pellets to eat them), he was back to almost normal! This was maybe 12-15 hours after surgery. He didn’t have anything to jump on in his room, so he was safe. Anyway, he seemed almost normal from then on, and I’d say 100% himself in maybe 3 days. He also was much more relaxed almost immediately without those hormones and did his biggest flop within 2 days 🙂

[LBJ10]

1. Most vets don’t do x-rays or blood work (unless there is a reason to, ex: age). Such tests are generally not cost effective for young, seemingly healthy rabbits. If there is an adverse event in a young rabbit, it’s usually not something blood work could detect anyway. As Wick said, it’s usually a congenital defect.
2.  I think you asked all the right questions and got good answers. That’s about all you can do.
3. For boys – a week should be sufficient.
4. Just look at all of the happy bunnies on the forum. All success stories. 🙂 As Wick said, people only say something when something goes wrong.
5. Surgery is not risk-free, but the risk is very very low with an experienced vet.
6. What Wick said… and be wary of the receptionist. Sometimes even at clinics with an experienced rabbit vet, the receptionist will rattle off the routine instructions for other animals. If they tell you to fast your rabbit before surgery, they are giving you incorrect instructions.

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