I did it!

[xnovalentine]

I finally made the appointment to have lullabelle spayed! Today she growled and bit me, and just is not happy with me in general (im sure washing her poor little bum 3x had something to do with it), and i felt so bad for her and didin’t want her to feel like this anymore. I’m waiting until after my finals are over so I can give her the time she needs from me, and I even got the day off of work, and then arranged for my friend to come over and watch her while I’m at work the next couple of days. I’m bunny whipped Haha! She’s all set for a checkup and spay on the 19th. Initially they told me they were going to keep her overnight, but then they said that i’ll be able to pick her up that day. I’m happy for that, she’ll be more comfortable at home.

I kept telling myself that I didint want to spend the money yet, because realistically i don’t have the 300$ to do it, but really I think I’m afraid of something happening to her and thats why i’ve been sub-contiously putting it off. I feel better that I’ve made the appointment and I’ll probably be high-stressed and freaking out the day of the spay, so be prepared for me to be here ALL DAY 12/19 asking TONS of questions! haha. 

My mom’s offered to let me borrow her cat crate to take her to and from the vet’s, but I saw at Petsmart they have a spacy carrying case for smaller pets that looks a lot more comfortable than a crate, and will be able to fit lulla with room to spare. Does anyone think this would be better for her, or do you think the crate would be better?

*sigh* i feel like a really bunny mom now! haha

[Scarlet_Rose]

That’s great news! I’m sure you’ll be biting your nails until she is recovered. I would probably not use the cat crate because of the smell of cat and it being stressful enough for her riding there and back. If possible I would buy her something that she has to herself alone. Do you have a picture of the carrying case? Is it soft sided, hard sided or… The soft ones get chewed and the flooring isn’t too stable. I usually opt for the plastic ones as they are more stable and easier to sterilize. I actually have a collapsable one made by Nylabone and it works great and folds flat for storage and isn’t such a hassel like the stationary ones.

[Sarita]

That’s wonderful. It’s normal and natural for bunny parents to stress about this too :~)

I like the top opening cat carriers for my rabbits – it makes it much easier for you and the vet to get the bun out of the carrier. They come in medium and large sizes and are the hard plastic ones but are easy to wash. You just have to find something soft to put on the bottom like towels or the cat beds (that’s what I like because I toss them in the wash). Also if you do have your own carrier like Scarlet Rose recommends you will have it always even in case of emergency so it’s a great thing to have.

The cat carriers open on the top and side like the traditional carriers but the top opening makes a world of difference really. I don’t like the soft ones just because they can chew and pee in them and they seem hard to clean to me.

[xnovalentine]

this is the carrier i was looking at:

 

[Scarlet_Rose]

I forgot to add the part about the top opening thanks Sarita! The top door does make it a lot easier, the collapsable one I have has both a side and a top door. This is a new design, but same concept of what I have: http://www.amazon.com/Nylabone-Collapsible-Pet-Den-Carrier/dp/B000GE1ICO

[Beka27]

i’m not sure if i’d go with the fabric one… she could easily chew a good size hole in the time it takes to get to the vet.  i like the plastic ones, b/c like was mentioned they’re sturdier, they can be taken apart (most of them have snaps halfway thru that you can undo to wash it) and i just put a plush blanket that has the house smell in it so she has something familiar.

[i got mine at Walmart for i think 15 bucks.  it’s the smallest size they have, but Meadow isn’t going to be much over 4 pounds.]

[LittlePuffyTail]

I use a cat crate. I just fill it with hay and put a blankie in it. I’ve been procrastinating fixing Bindi Loo but I made an appt and he’s going in to be neutered on Jan. 8. I hate dropping my babies off at the vet. It’s soooo hard!

[xnovalentine]

hm, the collapsible one seems a bit expensive. I will have to go to walmart or petsmart and see what they have in options. Thanks for the feedback

[osprey]

I have to agree with Scarlet Rose and Sarita…top opening carrier for teh win!!!!11!  (Funny how the 3 of us are in rescue and handle lots of buns )  Really, buns can do the four feet out thing, and get stuck inside a regular front opening carrier.  The hard plastic carriers work better for cars too, because you can loop a seat belt through the handle, and secure the carrier.

 

[Lagomorpheus]

Best wishes for lullabelle, I know how sad it is to see our furry friends suffer and not know why but it really is a smart choice to make!

[MooBunnay]

Its great that your bun is going to get spayed – when I first took my first bunny in to be neutered I was very nervous as well – but everything turns out just fine. Your bun will be a little sleepy when she gets back so don’t be alarmed by that, just make sure there are lots of comfy towels in her cage for her to lounge on when she gets home

What type of carrier did you end up choosing? If you did go with a soft side, its a good idea to get a small plastic tub that you can put litter and hay in and then place that on the bottom of the carrier so that the bun will have something sturdy to sit in, and some hay to eat on the journey. I also buy a bit of alfalfa for the buns to eat on their way to the vet so they get a few extra calories before the surgery.

[Gravehearted]

glad to hear you made the appointment for her, that’s great. I wouldn’t go for the fabric kind, since she could nibble a hole and I’m not sure how easy it would be to clean if she pees in it. I have two kinds of cat carriers and would highly recommend the top opening style, as others have. It’s MUCH easier to get bunnies in and out of! I usually line the bottom with a little newspaper, so the bunny doesn’t slide around with no traction.

It’s also a good idea to leave it out and open on the floor a few days prior to taking her, so she can scent it and gets used to it.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Yes thats a super idea…You could even pop her in and carry her around and then give her some treats after to help her feel at home in there!
I too have a cat carrier and find it’s perfect.

Is it cold where you are xnovalentine? I put a towel over the top and safety pin it around the carrier until I get in the car…Then I open the towel up and open the top (mine has a sliding top so you can open it a small amount) and talk to my bunnies for the whole car ride

[xnovalentine]

This is a cat carrier that I found that I think will be good. It’s got a top opening and can be taken apart for cleaning. More importantly its pink and will fit both lullabelle’s and my style. We’ll look hot going around in my sports car with this sexy crate! haha. Sorry – I’m crazy.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Darn…I love it!!! I want a pink carrier!! Where did you find it (maybe I can somehow justify needing a new one, mine *IS* almost a year old hehe)

[babybunsmum]

ooo i’m just as crazy as you are!  i love it too!  it would go with the pink digital camera i bought this summer (not that it needs to matcha camera… just that… yep… i AM crazy)

[osprey]

That looks like a fabulous carrier.  I have used that type before, and you can pretty easily lift up the little gray tabs and pull the entire top right off if your bunny refuses to come out.

 

[Sarita]

That looks fine however in my opinion it is much too small.  It is well worth to spend a little money on a carrier as this is something you will always needs.  Roomier is better too.  Too small is just no good.

I recommend this carrier:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp

I have this particular carrier in 2 sizes a medium and a large and it never ever fails me.  You do have to be careful that the top opening is secure when you carry it however.  This carrier is very durable and easy to clean.  The problem with taking the actual top off and on is that it can be a hassle when you are in a hurry in case of emergency.  And sometimes trying to get that whole top on with bun in the bottom can be a challenge as well.   I use the cat beds made out of sheepskin for the bottom.  Never been happy with newspaper at the bottom.  I find rabbits tend to slide around with the newspaper and it’s  just not comfortable either.

You do have to keep this carrier out of the rain and wet too because you don’t want the metal parts to rust. 

 

[babybunsmum]

sheepskin for the bottom… thanks for sharing Sarita i hadn’t thought of that!

[Sarita]

The sheepskin cat beds are great! I just wash them (do a bunny load of laundry) if they get dirty or peed on and reuse them.

Another thing about the top opening carrier like this if bun is sick it’s easier to scoop bun up and put them in this rather than trying to fumble putting the top on or trying to get them in the door. Much less stressful for bun and bunny parent.

Also if the carrier is too small the rabbit cannot move around in it.

[Sarita]

Another recommendation I have is always strap the carrier in with the seat belt (loop it under the handle) – another thing I like about the hard carriers.

I had a lady run a red light and hit me when I had Mango in the car with me on the way to the vets and I don’t know what the outcome would have been for him if I had not had him strapped into the seat belt in the carrier. She hit me pretty hard but Mango was fine – a little confused but fine.

[osprey]

The one that Sarita pointed out is the one that I use.  I have the large size, and put all three of mine in it for trips to the vet or to get their nails done.  Sarita is right, you have to be sure the cover is securely clipped in place, because the handle is connected directly into the top. 

[xnovalentine]

I found the crate at petsmart.com. I’m going to go in maybe tomorrow and look to see if they have it at the store and in a bigger size, i need litter and hay anyway. heres the link, I hope it works. If it doesn’t I went to petsmart.com > cats> carriers & doors.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp

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