She changed after spaying?

[cararelle]

So, I spayed my 1 y/o bunny less than a month ago, and her personality changed so much I’m starting to get worried… Before spaying she was always running around the house, jumping on the sofa, demanding to sit on my lap all the time, etc etc etc. But now she’s kind of apathetic: she barely leaves the kitchen, only to go to the balcony and sometimes she’ll take a little stroll to other rooms only to quickly go back to the kitchen, she’s always laying down, don’t want me to pick her up like before. She’s not scared or anything, I can pet her and she licks me like crazy, she eats A LOT… that is normal, I guess, but she just seems sad or low in spirits? The only abnormal thing that occurred after spaying is she caught some skin fungus -from what she’s being treated-, but that’s all.

Is that normal? Will she go back to how she used to be? Anyone had the same experience?

[Serenity]

This is completely normal, though it is a little sad. Most bunnies mellow out considerably after being spayed/neutered. Some bunnies who were super energetic and high-spirited will often calm down a LOT after a spay. It happens all the time. She’s not sad or down just calmer and less curious. Kind of like growing up. Give her some time and she’ll probably become less timid, get used to being picked up again and love the cuddles but I don’t think she’s going to go back to the way she was. All her hormones have died down considerably now. Sorry to break the news to you.

Others might have different, personal experiences and I’m mostly just speaking from what I’ve read, heard and seen not personally experienced.

[Deleted User]

Like Serenity said, it really is like they grow up after they are altered. They do mellow out a lot. Bombur used to be incredibly hyper as a young bun, now that he’s almost a year old he is very chill and would rather snuggle up than run around. Most bunnies really don’t like being picked up, they can tolerate it, but they don’t like it. Bunnies that were fine with it as babies often grow out of it and stop liking it once they’re older, so that’s not surprising.

[cararelle]

Okay, thank you!

It kind of makes me sad to know she’ll stay more or less like this, but I guess it’s OK as long as she’s fine, happy and healthy… though I’ll miss her silly self :'( 

[Bam]

Rabbits are babies for a short time, whether you spay them or not they will become adults. That’s just how rabbit life is, they must mature quickly, because in nature they have very short lives.

For some buns it takes more than a month before they snap out of post-spay-mode. There’s also the fungal infection to consider. Antifungals can have some not so nice side-effects and that might subdue her.

[cararelle]

I suspected the fungal thing too… When we first brought her home she already had the fungal infection, mainly in the ears, but we treated her and she eventualy got rid of it, but it seems she got it back and stronger, this time it spread from her rear to her belly *sigh*

[Wick & Fable]

It’s very difficult to treat fungal infections because the spores spread so easily, so stopping treatment prematurely is very common. Additionally, going through a spay will lower her immune system, making her less likely to be able to keep any surviving spores at bay, so that’s probably why it’s come back. Be consistent with treatment and do you best!

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.

[Luna]

I agree that she will stay calmer, but also as Bam stated, she could still be in post-spay mode and it may take more time to return to her “normal” self. I doubt she will return to running around or zipping between rooms, but I do think she will venture outside of the kitchen and still seek out your attention .

[cararelle]

Thank you everyone, you’ve all been very helpful! As an update I’ll tell you Ofelia was just here by my side as I’m typing this and playing with my beannie on the floor, she seems totally OK! We’ll keep working hard to keep this nasty fungus away as well!

[Author]

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