Rabbit Spay, need help

[LaurenJK]

Hello there,

I have recently joined after stumbling across the forum while looking for answers. My bunny was spayed yesterday and seemed to follow the recovery as the Vet advised for the first night i.e. not too interested in anything just wanted to sleep for the first few hours. I was worrying because she wasn’t pooping but then as soon as she moved she started to do this so my panic was over. She wasn’t too interested in food but did have a few nibbles on a sugar snap pea and later on tried a bit of hay. She normally can’t resist fresh hay anyway, but this morning when I have got up and checked her sutures etc. she won’t touch a thing  

I haven’t noticed this morning if she is pooping as she isn’t moving much and I grabbed a load of her fresh hay and she won’t even look at it. She is just turning her head away and keeping her eyes closed. This might sound silly but she is normally so proud and hates getting wet but I checked on her before and she was lying down asleep with her foot resting in the water. So, I feel she is totally not herself.

I am in the UK and my Vet gave her meds before she left their surgery yesterday but we were not given anything to give at home and I’m just worrying that she is in a lot of pain.

I am also scared that I am being overly dramatic and she is absolutely fine but I’ve never had a bunny spayed before so really have no idea what to expect.

Any advice is appreciated! 

[LittlePuffyTail]

I would call the vet and ask for some pain meds. She’s most likely in pain. You want to reduce the pain as much as possible and get her eating asap so stasis doesn’t develop. Spays are pretty serious so I think vets should get pain meds, but not all give them.

[Roberta]

Hi Lauren, contacting the vet is important and checking on the pain meds… In the interim you need to get her gut moving and hydration is the best place to start.. Get some fresh herbs, parsley, mint, cilantro and especially sweet basil, soak and shake and offer her that. If she is not taking water use an oral syringe to gently put some in her mouth from the side… A little at a time, you don’t want to drown her… Try offering water melon or strawberries… Anything to get some fluid into her… Hay is often the last food they go back to but fresh herbs are a favourite in 80% of cases.

[LaurenJK]

I’ve tempted her with a little strawberry and she had a small nibble but that’s it. Water is very limited with her as she is used to drinking out of a sipper bottle. I have put water in a bowl for her which she has had little bits out of but as I said she hates getting wet and I can see it is irritating her putting her face in the bowl, but then she won’t use the bottle at the moment either.
She just seems very sleepy which I know I would be after an operation but it’s making me worry about her so much because I have no idea what to expect!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I don’t understand vets who don’t give pain meds after surgery-people get them for even minor surgeries and a spay is a big one. I’d phone and tell them you want them, and don’t be persuaded otherwise. Metacam can be bad long term, and can upset tummies; however a rabbit in pain won’t eat and three days of pain meds is not going to cause harm, it will help her to be comfortable and eat and get well. So my advise is call for pain meds and don’t take no for an answer! Keep us posted!!

[Roberta]

How is she today Lauren ?

[Roberta]

My vet gives slow release meds just before they leave… This includes 3 day pain relief, gut motility and antibiotics… I have found it to be very effective. Check with your vet to see if that is what they gave her..

[LaurenJK]

Thank you for all your help and advice.
The little madam got really frustrated on Tuesday with the water bowl, kept flipping it over so I took it away. Once that was away she was drinking from her bottle as normal and even having a nibble on some pellets. Kept her in our bedroom for the night so I could keep a close eye on her and she is now completely back to normal.
She is bouncing around as much as she can in her cage (vet advised a week of bed rest) and every time I walk past she is desperate to come out. She has definitely bounced back!
I spoke to the Vet and they said her behaviour was as expected and they had administered painkillers and antibiotics which would cover her for the first 48 hours which was probably why she was still quite out of it. Luckily she’s OK now.
Thank you again. Just so glad she looks a lot better because I got quite scared!

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m glad to hear she’s feeling better.

[LaurenJK]

She’s going for a little check over at the Vet today so I’ll be on at them to make sure she is OK

[Roberta]

Great news…. Sounds like she is well and truly on the road to recovery.. Stroppy is always a good sign.

[LaurenJK]

Stroppy should be her middle name!

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