Post-Spay set up

[Laragc]

We had been told by two separate vets that our girl bunny was spayed despite not having a tattoo. However, after having trouble bonding her with another girl rabbit she at first seemed to like a lot (who is 100% unquestionably spayed), and thinking about her behavior, I decided to get another opinion (she needed an exam anyway). New vet said hmmm, no scar, no tattoo.  Palpated her, did not feel a uterus (other vets had done this too). Decided to ultrasound her. Thought it was about 80% they saw an ovary on one side so decided to do surgery. Yep, intact bunny.  

So, now, I have a bunny recovering from a spay who has been mid bond with another girl bunny. I know we need to wait at least 6 weeks to start bonding them again. But I have questions:

1) Is six weeks long enough?  Is eight better? Longer?

2) For the first two weeks, I’m putting her in a separate room than the other bun (they are always in separate cages). It’s quieter and less stressful in there and it’s where she lived before we started this process.  But after that, should they be side by side?  Should I wait longer than that? It’s inconvenient for the side by side set up in our house and she isn’t always totally happy about it. But, of course, she wasn’t spayed before.  Thoughts?  

3) When we reintroduce them, they are going to have baggage. Of course.  This is a bond that started pretty well actually (and yes, I know, weird, but it did).  But there has been a fight. Thoughts on the reintroduction sessions?

[Bunny House]

I personally would wait 8 weeks because females can be extra hormonal and if you have the time, I think it’s the best option.

You can put them side by side within a week or two and then I would say at 3-4 weeks you can start switching them in each other’s areas since she will smell differently than before and they might both need the extra time to adjust the the new smell.

As far as reintroduction, was there blood drawn? Is there one that was more scared after the fight? Having less hormones may actually calm both of them down and be able to have a great bond, but of course prebonding is extra important since there was a fight. And when introducing them, a neutral area is best, as you know. I would first do the prebodning and when no more aggression is shown, then you can do the introductions

[Laragc]

Thanks. Very helpful. She is home now and already hopping around a bit and eating and pooping and grooming like crazy. I’m going to have to check her staples a lot.

[Laragc]

Thanks. Very helpful. She is home now and already hopping around a bit and eating and pooping and grooming like crazy. I’m going to have to check her staples a lot.

[Author]

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