Post-Surgery Bunny Care

[Kelly]

Okay first, STORY TIME! So, I decided to get my rabbit, Willow, spayed (or so I thought) and her surgery was today. I got a call from the vet, and it turns out that Willow is a boy. That was quite the surprise! I was told Willow was a girl by the person I got her from, who raises rabbits because her daughters are in 4-H. I never checked myself and I figured since she (sorry, HE) was so young that I would not be able to tell very well. I took Willow in for a check up before the surgery and the vet told me she never fixed a rabbit before, but she did work in a clinic with other exotics. She said she would completely understand if I wasn’t comfortable with her doing it and she would refer me to a different vet. I said I felt comfortable and plus they had a vet tech that was experienced with rabbits. The vet did try to check Willow to make sure of the sex, but she was pretty scared for her first trip to the vet. So the vet didn’t get a very good look and feel down there, but it’s all right because the neutering procedure is cheaper and recovery is supposed to be better compared to spaying. They did cut into the abdomen because they did think he was a she, but then they quickly closed it up.

ANYWAY, to my problem. So Willow was not eating at the vet and they had to give him some Critical Care, but he was pooping. They told me to give him his normal diet and if he does not eat, give him some Critical Care every 3-4 hours. Well, when I got brought him back home, he was not eating for the first 3 hours probably. I decided to try cilantro but that was a no-go. Then I gave him a carrot and he nibbled on that a bit, but not a whole lot and he was not eating his hay and pellets still. I quit pushing him to eat for a little bit and then I decided to give him some fresh hay and have him watch me take it straight from the bag and into his dish (the hay I had in the dish was what I took along to the vet’s). He perked up a bit and kinda sniffed around at it and I think I saw him take one little bite. Then right after, he started eating more of his carrot and then started eating more hay! I was so happy to see that. One of the things I’m worried about is that he has not been drinking much water. I saw him take one sip from his dish. I have the water dish attached to the door part of his cage since it is the one he always uses, but I am not sure if a regular bowl that sits on the ground would work better? I do have one that he uses for his outdoor pen.

My main question/problem is the way he has been acting/his body movement. Obviously, he is not going to be 100% the same day of surgery. He does seem to be a little lethargic when I am not by him or trying to interact with him, which I am not sure is something I should be worried about. The vet did say to call if he was lethargic, but he sometimes he is his usual self. He seems to want to fall asleep, too. I have caught him with his eyes closed a couple times and normally I do not see that. Also, you know how bunnies do that thing where they lay on their side and kinda do a half-roll movement? I usually take that as a sign that they are relaxed, and Willow is laying like that most of the time. Is that something I should be worried about or is it normal?

Thank you for reading my long post, I just had to include that story of my “girl” bunny! Time to think of a new name!

[Wick & Fable]

It is extremely common to wrongly-sex rabbits. Honestly, even experienced vets and care takers make mistakes because it’s just such a nuanced difference between the two, parts grow at different rates, and there’s so much fur there, so your story is actually quite common! Don’t feel bad or embarrassed.

After a neuter, it is important to limit free-roam space and limit access to jumping/hopping around a lot. So if there are platforms, see if you can lower them, remove them, or create walkable-ramps. The idea is you do not want major leg movement which will strain the surgical site. Even if he feels OK to jump, he doesn’t understand the repercussions of it on his healing. In terms of your water bowl, anywhere that makes it easier for him to access and use.

After Wick’s neuter, he was sleepy the rest of the evening (6 hours) due to medication, so the sleeping you are observing, in my opinion is normal. Wick spent about 2-3 hours leaning against my arm and going in and out of sleep. It is great to keep fresh hay available, veggies, and pellets so that when he is comfortable with nibbling, he can do that. I know with Wick, I made a point to cycle through new hay so he always had the most enticing piles to peak his interest.

With neuters, the recovery time is shorter. Vets recommend a week of limited space, but that’s a good safe-guard as a “just in case”. Honestly, Wick was back to normal in 2-3 days. If you find, after the initial drowsiness passes, that he is showing signs of pain or discomfort, don’t hesitate to post and/or call your vet for some consultation!

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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