I NEED REASSURANCE!

[Heather&BabsyBooboo]

 As you know I just got a gorgeous 10 week old Lionhead girl. Obviously I wanr her spayed but am terrified about it as the last bunny I had died under the anaesthetic when we had him neutered  but that WAS 9 years ago. The only vet round here that anyone mentions as rabbit savvy is actually the surgery where the poor thing died. I’m hoping things have changed a lot in the last 9 years but I’m really scared and was just hoping you guys can confirm I’ll be doing the right thing .Thanx from me n my Babsy x

[jerseygirl]

I’m sorry you lost your bunny that way. That would be hard and I can understand your fears now.

Was the vet able to tell you the cause of his death?  Sometimes they have an underlying condition. Vet medicine changes over 10 years and vets are training more and more in dealing with exotics. They would become more well versed at the risks of anaethesia through their own ongoing education.

At the end of the day – the risk of a female rabbit contracting uterine cancer outweighs the risk of surgery. I think it would be a good idea to communicate alot with your vet and even seek out another to see if you have more confidence with them.

If you want, you can post the general area where you are and other members might be able to recommend the vet that they see.

[Helenor]

I was very worried about my tiny girl’s spay. I had some good reassurance from members here that most likely things would be fine. My little girl pulled through her spay alright. I am pretty glad I got her spayed too. She was starting to get aggressive and territorial.

As jerseygirl said, maybe it was something else that might have caused his death? I know there is always a chance the rabbit won’t make it.

[Monkeybun]

Both my girls came through it with flying colors. Sometimes bad things happen, but most go with no issues. The benefits outweigh the risks, in my mind

[Heather&BabsyBooboo]

 I agree with everything said I’m definately getting it done, I just can’t help being nervous! I should imagine that if I didn’t it would be worse for her I heard about 85% unspayed does develop cancer! I really do not like those odds!! A lot of people have said to me that things have changed a lot for our bunnies in the last 10 years regarding vets thank goodness!

 

[Michelle&Lolli]

They have made lots of advancements in veterinary medicine in the past 10 years. Another thing that we don’t like to think about….any animal including people can die just from being put under anesthesia. I don’t know that there’s always a reason either. The drugs they use to put us under slows down the breathing and heart rate down so much. it’s a delicate science Rabbits are such sensitive creatures as well in general. Mess up their digestive systems and they have poop problems. lol I hope I’m not scaring you.

Lolli has gone through being put under a couple of times – being spayed and getting sutures a couple of times. She came through all times just great!

[RabbitPam]

I would be very nervous too. Is it the same vet, or just the same practice? You might discreetly request a different vet do the procedure. Or, it may not be a bad idea (correct me if I’m wrong, guys) to have a frank discussion with the vet there. Let her know that your bunny died and when, and tell her that you think the importance of getting it done is greater than your fear, but can the vet reassure you at all? Has she changed what she uses, her procedure, her equipment, or anything else that you could know? I’m sure she felt badly and would be able to use the opportunity to do well by you. If she is defensive and resents your questions, I think I would be a bit concerned.

[GrumpyBun]

It is true that the risks are smaller now, but it must have been awful to lose a bun like that and I too would be scared.

I think RabbitPam’s idea is very sensible. Asking for a different member of the practise to perform the procedure or reassurance about how things have changed are perfectly reasonable requests.

[nugget]

It is my opinion that bloodwork is key. When I was calling around for a vet for my first bunny, many of the vets stated that bloodwork prior to a spay/neuter was optional. The results of the bloodwork will tell you whether your rabbit is healthy from the get go. It will ensure that kidneys and liver are working properly….it will give the vet information they need to properly sedate your rabbit.

[jerseygirl]

Good point Nugget.^ You can request bloodwork done to get a better picture before surgery.

[Beka27]

Posted By nugget on 10/24/2010 06:52 AM
It is my opinion that bloodwork is key. When I was calling around for a vet for my first bunny, many of the vets stated that bloodwork prior to a spay/neuter was optional. The results of the bloodwork will tell you whether your rabbit is healthy from the get go. It will ensure that kidneys and liver are working properly….it will give the vet information they need to properly sedate your rabbit.

I absolutely agree.  Bloodwork isn’t typically “routine” under about 2 years of age, but if you wanted to take the extra precaution, you could.

Chances are the passing was due to something hidden going on with the rabbit and not necessarily negligence on the part of the vet.  But it does not hurt to speak with the vet (either the one from the previous surgery) or wherever you choose to go and discuss your concerns with them.

Do you know what happened with your other rabbit during surgery?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I ditto everyone -good remarks all around. I would be nervous too and I understand you. But I do believe benefits outweigh the risks hugely. I was mondo nervous crazy lady when Kahlua (my lionhead) went in, but she was fine. You can do bloodwork ahead, and screen your vet carefully. And keep us posted!!! Congrats on your new bunny!

[Heather&BabsyBooboo]

 Thanks everyone! I’m feeling a bit better about it thanks to you guys and am trying not to think about it until after Christmas. Can I just say this is a WONDERFUL site I feel like I know a lot of you personally! Babs is brilliant at the moment just growing super fast lol and her mane is really coming in; she’s basically a fluff ball but I comb her every morning when I let her out and get all the hay out of her coat I’m sure she rolls in it when I’m not looking lol

Babs plotting world domination!

[Isabelle]

Hi Babs! I’m new here too I adopted my bunny from the humane society so she had been spayed a few days prior. The vet I found seems very knowledgeable, she told me the risks of rabbit surgery even though my bun was already spayed – just in general get to know a bunny talk since she’s my first bun – and she said she thankfully hasn’t lost a bun under surgery. I’m sure things are more advanced than they were ten years ago, and vets are probably more careful with surgeries on buns because of their low tolerance to anesthesia. I hope I don’t have to put my bun under, but I do feel confident knowing my vet is frank with me about surgical risks and her own history regarding bunny surgery. You could also ask your vet if he/she has lost buns before, and how many of these procedures they have done. Good luck and early healing vibes!!

[KatnipCrzy]

Things have changed A LOT in 9 years- as human technology becomes more affordable and moves to the vet care market.

[Heather&BabsyBooboo]

Honestly thanks all of you you have all been SO helpful. The more I think about it he probably did have something else wrong as my friend had his sister who has only just passed age 10 and a brother who is still going strong at 11 now!!!! I am still nervous I don’t think that will totally go away till she’s home free!! What I plan to do is get in touch with the vet I’ve used since and question him really well. He’s been brilliant with various animals I’ve had in the last 10 years from dogs to rats to chickens and even a goat!!!! I’m terrible for waifs and strays and have even trusted him with a couple of wildlife rescues I’ve done eg hedgehogs wild birds etc and he’s never put a foot wrong, it’s just that I’ve never had a bun since I lost Rex. He won’t mind at all me interrogating him as I like to know every little thing he does with my animals and why! (I’m very nosy)!!!! Thanks again everyone!!!!

[LoveChaCha]

Just be sure he is rabbit savvy and sees many rabbits

The vet that did my rabbit’s spay has never lost a rabbit during the procedure.

Good luck! I was a big wreck also, calling the vet constantly!!

[Isabelle]

Keep us posted on how it goes!

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