POST-SPAY QUESTIONS AND CARE TIPs

[syl]

Sylvia got spayed early this morning, but beforehand she drank a little water, ate some hay, pellets, and a bit of lettuce. however, she hasn’t eaten since i picked her up. she is acting fine, just sedated, but she feels colder than normal to the touch. i have a heater next to her cage, a bed of blankets and sweaters for her to lay on, and recently put in a microwaved sock filled with rice, but nothing seems to warm her up. she has peed and pooped perhaps a couple little pellets, but even her favorite snacks don’t seem to entice her. i’m wondering if/when i should start syringe feeding? or if anyone has any tips otherwise on getting her to eat, keeping her warm, or just generally making her more safe and comfortable it would be greatly appreciated!

[DanaNM]

Hi there,

Did the vet give you pain meds for her? Pain can make a rabbit’s temperature fluctuate. A warm bottle wrapped in a towel can help, as can just holding her on your lap to warm her with your body heat.

I haven’t dealt with a spay, but after my other rabbits have been sedated for various procedures, the vet has usually instructed to syringe feed if they aren’t eating by that night. So, I would go ahead and do a syringe feeding. You can use warm water when you mix it up to help warm her (or at least not make her colder). Sometimes just a feeding or two is enough to spark them back into eating more normally.

. . . 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.  

[syl]

thanks for the response! the vet did send home pain meds and i was instructed to start them tomorrow morning because they already gave some to her today. that’s very good to know. i will try all of that. thank you!

[DanaNM]

Great they gave you meds for her and that she’s already on some.

Did the vet give you any instruction on syringe feeding? If not, this vid has great instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iGZVYVm5Bg

. . . 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.  

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