Spay Woes

[Naomi11]

My 5 month old rabbit was spayed three days ago poor little love – she’s doing okay she’s not dehydrated and is eating but not as much as usual. She had actually pulled a couple of stitches out by the second day which gave me a stress attack but the vet had a look at it and said it was fine because the incision hadn’t opened up at all. I was soooo so so worried she would have to go under again to get re-stitched but nothing like that was necessary. I honestly think what happened was that she was cleaning herself as she does after she’s been to the vets to get that smell off and she came across the stitches and had a little nibble because she thought they weren’t sposed to be there because since then she hasn’t gone near it at all I realised that might be what happened because after the vets today she went to clean it again. She doesn’t remember the surgery at all it was quite funny the next day she was acting as if nothing had happened but I suppose when you’re under anaesthetic you don’t remember do you!!! She has to have some metacam for a few days in case of infection or any inflammation which since she was force fed some critical care she’s now syringe phobic so I have to drops a few drops onto basil leaves and roll or wrap them up and give it to her that way. I can usually give her meds by sitting her in my lap and kinda holding her firmly but seeing as she has the stitches i don’t want her to kick or struggle too much in case the incision opens up I’m even a bit reluctant to pick her up too much at all.  I kept her in her cage up until today the vet said she should be fine to resume her normal out of cage time she said it might help because she’ll be happier so might help her heal quicker but because I let her out midday she just went to sleep under the chair. Another thing I’ve noticed … since the op she has been sleeping with her eyes open.  Before the op she always closed her eyes completely to sleep. So, I’m not really sure what that’s about. 

Well, I’m typing this after the anguish of the last three days have already happened but i did get a lot of information from this site regarding the pre and post op care and what to expect and what kind of medication to give and whats normal and what to do when your bunny chews her stitches out!!! Hopefully she will continue to improve and get better at the moment she’s enjoying her freedom to sleep under the couch hopefully she’ll come out for a nibble soon. I can’t wait until this whole thing is over and I can stop worrying so much!  

[Bam]

A bunny really knows how to worry it’s hoomin´.

As for pulling out stitches, it can sometimes be due to pain, so in some cases you need to increase the Metacam dosage. It’s good you’ve been in contact with your vet. And I do agree that letting her out might help her relax and feel “normal”. She shouldn’t run and climb and jump of course, but some light exercise is often beneficial, both for the tummy-function, the mood and the wound-healing.

As for her sleeping with her eyes open, i don’t know if it has to do with the surgery or not, it is however perfectly normal for a bun to sleep with its eyes open. Some buns always sleeps with their eyes open. Rabbits have a transparent third eyelid that prevents the eye from drying out.

The easiest way to check her wound without picking her up is to try and sneak a peek while she’s periscoping for a treat. You should check the site at least once daily.

[Naomi11]

Thanks! Its day 4 now. she will stand up for treats so ive been sneaking peeks its healing well. And shes sleeping normally again it must have been pain related. Metacam helped a heap.

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