Post-spay and not eating!

[FergieJen]

I am new to this forum AND to bunnies.  My fiancee and I found a stray bun in our yard (on a very busy street) back in Dec 07 and she had 4 babies about two weeks later.  It’s time for the babies to be spayed/neutered, and I took Daphne (mama) and Bridget (daughter) to be spayed yesterday.  They ate normally in the morning, but didn’t eat when I brought them home – even after being tempted with ALL sorts of food.  Overnight there is no evidence of poos or pee in their litter box and still they haven’t touched a bite.  I’m freaking out!  I called the vet and he said for me to bring them in today and he’ll give them some sort of appetite stimulant shot.  

Does anyone know what this is, and if it is really safe for bunnies?  I know you can give those shots to cats and dogs and it works almost immediately on them, but on bunnies?

Any help/advice is GREATLY appreciated!!

[charlie82]

Hi,

A lot of does will be feeling very sore after their spay (it’s major surgery for a bun) and will not want to eat. It takes 24-48 hours for them to feel comfortable enough to eat. Were your bunnies given any pain relief at the vets and to take home?? They really need to be given pain meds in order to feel well enough to begin eating again. Your vet will probably give a shot of metoclopramide to try and stimulate the guts and can also give you some to take home and administer every 8 hours.

You can mash down some pellets with warm water and try syringe feeding, as well as giving warm water via syringe. Are the buns drinking?
Tempt them with anything that you think they might eat…mashed banana, apple, herbs such as Parsley and basil, canned baby food, pumpkin…. If they won’t eat you will have to force feed. They need to have food moving constantly through their guts to keep everything working. Most of the time a bun will recover after a day or so and start eating on their own, but one of my bunnies was spayed last week and refused to eat for three days. I kept her topped up with pain relief, gut stimulants and zantac and got her eating eventually but I was tearing my hair out!!

[FergieJen]

No, they didn’t give me any pain meds, even though I asked about them.  The gal said they weren’t “necessary” for bunnies.  I’m at work now (urgh!) but am going home at lunch to check on them and if they still haven’t eaten I will leave from there and take them to the vet immediately for the shot.  I am so worried about them…  I’ve offered banana, cilantro, mint, parsley, celery – their “usual” favorites, but they just aren’t interested.  Thank you for the suggestions!!

[charlie82]

Sounds to me like they don’t understand bunnies at all….. a rabbit more than any other animal needs pain relief!!! I suggest you advise your vet to do some further reading up (in not so quite a rude way). It  really angers me when I hear about vets saying this because anyone who knew anything about rabbits would know that they have to be eating straight away, and a rabbit in pain is not going to want to eat, in fact that pain is more than enough to send them into  gut stasis. Don’t worry though, this is common practice at most vets and you were right to ask. When you go back to the vet insist they are given some metacam, if the vet refuses take them elsewhere. TRy not to worry, i’m sure they will be fine it just takes some longer than others to recover. Get hold of some syringes from the vets and if they still aren’t eating you need to syringe feed.

[kralspace]

That is terrible of them not to offer pain meds for your bunny! My girl got a shot before we left, then I had 6 syringes so I had one for each day. (to squirt in her mouth, not to inject thank God) The first 3 days she was pathethic and you could tell she would feel much better after the meds.

By day 6 and 7 it was a wrestling match because she felt so much better, I think I wound up wearing dose number 7.

Even when my boy got neutered, I was given 2 days worth of meds.

Please ask them for it, it will make such a difference.

((((hugs)))) Kathy

[FergieJen]

I am also surprised they didn’t offer pain meds – I looked on the sheet when I was checking out and saw next to pain meds it said “Declined” – well, I can assure you they NEVER even asked me if I wanted them! I asked the gal about it and she said, oh that’s because you don’t need them with bunnies. Urgh!! I am so frustrated right now because I’m sitting here at work (no choice!) and they’re at home feeling bad………… I’m trying to decide whether or not to leave at lunch and check on them then come back to work then leave early at 3pm to get them to the vet (an hour away). OR leave at lunchtime and get them, take to the vet and try to come back to work. AHH!!!

[babybunsmum]

oh how frustrating!  I’m thinking if it’s still possible, the earlier option is better if the girls haven’t been eating.  when you get to the vet demand for pain meds.  the only thing that worries me about saying that to you is wondering if the vet knows correct pain meds & dosage for buns.  definitely talk straight to the vet about this & not a vet tech to be sure it’s not a misunderstanding (some vet techs may not know rabbits & give you the standard cat / dog answer).  i’ve not heard of giving a shot to stimulate appetite, but then i haven’t been through the spay process before. 

[LittlePuffyTail]

I feel you FergieJen. It’s extremely frustrating when you have a vet who agrees to take bunnies but really doesn’t know much about them. In these cases you have to do some research on some good sites and talk to knowledgeable folks (like this forum!) and go to the vet armed with info and suggestions.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I have to very much applaud you for being new to bunnies but still getting the females spayed. Spaying and neutering rabbits reduces much uneeded bunny suffering. Two big bunny paws up!!!

[Sarita]

The only shot I know of to stimulate appetite is B-12 but really that won’t help if they are in pain.

The first 24 hours they are extremely groggy though so they won’t eat. Definitely ask for pain meds – they may not need them all but it’s good to have them if you need them – most vets give metacam which you can give orally – see if your vet will prescribe this.

[FergieJen]

Thanks! I think I’m going to leave for lunch here in a bit and go ahead and make the hour drive to the vet with them… I just can’t stop thinking that they might be in pain and that is why they aren’t eating…. which makes sense. I’ll just come back to work afterwards and deal with the wrath then. Cross your paws!!!!

[charlie82]

Posted By Sarita on 04/01/2008 8:16 AM
The only shot I know of to stimulate appetite is B-12 but really that won’t help if they are in pain.

The first 24 hours they are extremely groggy though so they won’t eat. Definitely ask for pain meds – they may not need them all but it’s good to have them if you need them – most vets give metacam which you can give orally – see if your vet will prescribe this.

 

 

What is B-12 if you don’t mind me asking? We use metoclopramide here to stimulate guts, and also give zantac to calm the stomach as well as metacam.

[babybunsmum]

good luck!  working vet visits around a full time job can sure be a juggling act.  hopefully the girls will be eating & pooping soon ((((((vibes))))))

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Welcome Fegiejen! Please keep us posted on how this goes! Sorry your first posts had to be during a stressful time!

I’m not sure if someone mentioned it already but if you can get ahold of meds from your vet, what’s typically given is Metacam, so if they don’t know what to give, you can ask!!

[Ash]

Hey!! I found you! Let me know how today goes at the vet’s and what the quote for their spay/neuter.
Hopefully after tommorow Riley will be better, poor lil man.

[Gravehearted]

Welcome to Binky Bunny – Fegiejen! I am very glad to hear you rescued them and also got the two girls spayed.
Bunnies are very sensitive to pain and when they’re in pain they don’t want to eat. I think calling to your vet is a great idea, since they likely could benefit from some metacam.

I am not sure what time it is there – but perhaps call the vet first and see when they can fit the bunnies in?

If you do need to assist feed them, please let us know and we can provide you with more info on how to do that.

sending lots of good wishes, please let us know how they’re doing.

[FergieJen]

OK!  I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.  I had second thoughts about bringing them back to the “bunny” vet, and called my regular vet (the one I take my two doggie furbabies to), and low and behold they have a bunny specialist there.  I got the girls in this afternoon and I am sighing relief!  They’re on pain meds for three days, antibiotics for three days, and about 5 days each of both an appetite stimulant of some kind and also a goo that promotes the bacteria in their guts.  I left the paperwork at home before I came back to work or I would have some names for y’all!

We already gave them a dose of the pain meds, so hopefully those will kick in and they can start munching . Either way, after work I’ll be able to know better if it is anyway.  THANK YOU EVERYONE for all of your help and suggestions… what a warm welcome and I am excited to join more forum discussions!!  😉

I’ve attached a few pics of the buns….  There are five total:  Daphne (the rescued bun/Mama- black), Bridget (black w/ white paw), Rupert (brown), Hugh (black) and Colin (black). 

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[Sarita]

How pretty they are! Glad you found a vet too – the goo that promotes bacteria sounds like Benebac. Will be interested in what the appetite stimulant that she prescribed is.

Keep us updated!

[babybunsmum]

i’m glad you’re getting some pain meds for the buns.  verrrry cute pics of your furry crew   i especially love the last pic.  had a great loud giggle at the up-turned wittle paws

[FergieJen]

Well, this morning I saw about 6 pretty soft poops and some of their greens were eaten, though not empty like it usually is – of course they don’t put flags on their poops so I’m not sure whose is whose! But I’m encouraged because they just “Seem” better… their eyes have the glow again and like I said, it is obvious they ate something last night – I even saw the mint was gone and that is their fave. I wiped the crusty goo off Bridget’s nose again today ( the vet thinks it was from possibly aspirating (gasp!) something during anesthesia) so she can smell/breathe ok. I’m giving them their 2nd dose of meds after work today – they’re once a day meds.

I’ll keep everyone updated, and again.. thank you SO much for the encouragement and support!

[babybunsmum]

phew!  i never knew how much you could be excited over poo until i had a bunny   glad they’re getting better.

[Beka27]

YAY!!!   WELCOME HERE!!!

i’m so glad you were kind enough to take these buns in and alter them!  you’re in the running for bunny slave of the year!

how cool that your regular vet has a bunny specialist.  see, it shows that it never hurts to call around and see who will see buns.  they are a very popular hosue pet, so i think more vets are realizing they need to know how to care for them.  of course, it’s up to you… but i would consider calling the first vet and telling them what happened.  they need to know that you had problems, and they might hopefully revise their pain med policy.

those pics are so precious!  we have a member here kokaneeandkahlua that has a brown colored Rupert too!!!

[FergieJen]

LOL – I know. This morning I was like singing sounds of joy when I saw the poos! Funny how important poo can be!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Yippee Great to hear!!

I know, my boyfriend thinks I”m crazy when I’m picking through their litter boxes or updating him on poo statuses LOL Poo *IS* imporantant hehe

[Bunnies4ever]

Poos ARE important! I’m ALWAYS checking the litterboxes for nice round firm poos. You’ve got to be a bunny lover to understand! LOL!

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