After neutering care

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Hermelin

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What should you do and think after your bunny gets neutered?

How many times do you need to check them during the day?

Should I let him be in the cage in my room or let him run around in the kitchen?

I’ve bought critical care, have no idea how to prepare it (how much water you use).

My bunny weight 700 grams but he’s 200 gram overweight, so he have a big fluffy behind. I have syringe so I can feed him, if he dosen’t want to eat.

The cage will also be thoroughly cleaned and get new blankets in it and the litter box will be cleaned the same day he get neutered.

I’m studying for exams and have a lot in university right now. So I’m quite stressed over everything. He will get neutered Tuesday with rabbit used and I’m skipping 2 days from university to be with him.

Will he be okay on Thursday for 4 hours alone when I go to university or do I need someone to babysit him?
 
I've never had a rabbit neutered, but I got my first two girls spayed (which is more invasive anyway) since they came from a breeder rather than a shelter.

No set amount of times to check, it really depends on how much he's eating, etc. whether you should check more often. Keep him in the cage rather than free-roaming around a room so that he rests and recuperates (I *think* this is only needed for 2-3 days with males... more like 5-7 for females. Ask your vet if unsure.). Critical Care should have instructions on the packet... but basically, you want it the right consistency to go through a syringe (about the same consistency as apple sauce or baby food). If you have to syringe feed him, make sure to syringe him some water or unflavored Pedialyte as well to keep him hydrated.

If you've never syringe-fed a rabbit before, check out this very informative video:


Make sure the litter box has low sides so he can get in and out easily (if it doesn't, you can buy something like a disposable foil-like cake pan from a dollar store or something that's only 1-2 inches high). Also, you can ask the vet for pain medicine just in case (sometimes they don't give it for boys). Typically, vets give a shot of pain killers that lasts 24h regardless of the rabbit's gender... girls definitely need additional pain meds for at least 2-3 days; boys often don't but it never hurts to have it on hand.

You really don't need to skip two days of classes - the first 24h is key, as anesthesia can mess with the appetite for up to 24h. Make sure he's eating/pooping... he can have extra fruit/baby food/treats, etc. (akin to a kid getting their tonsils out and getting to pig out on ice cream) if that's what it takes to get him to eat - that advice comes straight from my vet. He should be eating on his own by 24h post-surgery, at which point you don't need to keep such a close eye on him. By Thursday, he should absolutely be ok for 4 hours without a babysitter. Honestly, if you're not away for more than 4h at a time for classes, you don't really need to skip any days at all.

Subjecting your bunn to surgery, no matter how "routine," is always very stressful... but once he makes it through surgery, wakes up from anesthesia and comes home, the scary part is actually over. After that, just pamper him a bit and syringe him some Critical Care if he's not eating on his own at first. Oh, also, rabbits in recovery prefer it a little warmer... a heating pad can work if you're sure he won't chew the cord, otherwise you can fill a sock with some uncooked rice and microwave it. Rest it against your arm for a minute first to make sure it isn't too hot, then offer it to your bunn.
 
I've never had a rabbit neutered, but I got my first two girls spayed (which is more invasive anyway) since they came from a breeder rather than a shelter.

No set amount of times to check, it really depends on how much he's eating, etc. whether you should check more often. Keep him in the cage rather than free-roaming around a room so that he rests and recuperates (I *think* this is only needed for 2-3 days with males... more like 5-7 for females. Ask your vet if unsure.). Critical Care should have instructions on the packet... but basically, you want it the right consistency to go through a syringe (about the same consistency as apple sauce or baby food). If you have to syringe feed him, make sure to syringe him some water or unflavored Pedialyte as well to keep him hydrated.

If you've never syringe-fed a rabbit before, check out this very informative video:


Make sure the litter box has low sides so he can get in and out easily (if it doesn't, you can buy something like a disposable foil-like cake pan from a dollar store or something that's only 1-2 inches high). Also, you can ask the vet for pain medicine just in case (sometimes they don't give it for boys). Typically, vets give a shot of pain killers that lasts 24h regardless of the rabbit's gender... girls definitely need additional pain meds for at least 2-3 days; boys often don't but it never hurts to have it on hand.

You really don't need to skip two days of classes - the first 24h is key, as anesthesia can mess with the appetite for up to 24h. Make sure he's eating/pooping... he can have extra fruit/baby food/treats, etc. (akin to a kid getting their tonsils out and getting to pig out on ice cream) if that's what it takes to get him to eat - that advice comes straight from my vet. He should be eating on his own by 24h post-surgery, at which point you don't need to keep such a close eye on him. By Thursday, he should absolutely be ok for 4 hours without a babysitter. Honestly, if you're not away for more than 4h at a time for classes, you don't really need to skip any days at all.

Subjecting your bunn to surgery, no matter how "routine," is always very stressful... but once he makes it through surgery, wakes up from anesthesia and comes home, the scary part is actually over. After that, just pamper him a bit and syringe him some Critical Care if he's not eating on his own at first. Oh, also, rabbits in recovery prefer it a little warmer... a heating pad can work if you're sure he won't chew the cord, otherwise you can fill a sock with some uncooked rice and microwave it. Rest it against your arm for a minute first to make sure it isn't too hot, then offer it to your bunn.


Thanks for the answers, I’m just worrying a lot with my first neuter with a bun. He’s the only rabbit I had since they was a kit.
 
That's how it was for me when I got my girls spayed, I was SO nervous 'cause they were my little babies!
 
All my rabbits are my sweethearts, most of my money goes to them. Truly need to find a job during summer break so I can save up for upcoming veterinarian visits.

Had no idea owning rabbits would cost so much, I pay more than my friends that owns cats.
 
I have them in a recuperation pen next to where I am sitting for the majority of the day so I can monitor them. I have either a tarp and blanket/sheet down or puppy pee pads, then a pet bed, low sided litter box, pile of hay, and water dish. I check their ears frequently to see how their body temp is doing. Usually they are cold and need a warm pack to sit on to help maintain a normal body temp. Rabbits won't eat well if cold, and they could become hypothermic if not actively warmed after surgery. But you also need to monitor so they don't overheat either. I'll keep offering their favorite leafy greens/herbs every hour or so.
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/opcare.html

I won't resort to feeding critical care unless it's late evening and they still aren't eating(or barely eating) anything. I'll feed every 4 hours through the night, along with syringing some water(both done carefully, slowly, allowing time for the rabbit to chew and swallow to avoid risk of aspiration). If they are eating a little bit of greens every few hours then I will usually hold off on the critical care as syringe feeding can be stressful(for the rabbit and the human).

Male buns will often start eating and be fine that same evening or by the next morning. I've only had one that went 48 hours before his appetite went back to normal, I think due to the anesthesia causing nausea, but he was eating a little bit of leafy greens every 30 min. so I held off on syringe feeding.

Keep an eye on him grooming down there to make sure he doesn't chew anything open. If he won't leave it alone then you may need to either use a pet shirt to cover the area, a donut or soft collar, or as a last resort a hard e collar. The hard e collars will prohibit them from eating their cecals on their own and can make some rabbits depressed, so I don't recommend them unless nothing else works to protect the rabbit from chewing open the surgical incisions. Contact your vet if it's a problem, to see what they recommend.

If your bun is still not eating well by the time you have to get back to school, I would syringe feed right before leaving, then syringe feed when I got back. You should also phone your vet and tell them your bun still isn't eating after the first day(or sooner if vet has given instructions to do so). And never hesitate to contact your vet if at any time your bun seems to be declining or you feel something is wrong.
 
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I have them in a recuperation pen next to where I am sitting for the majority of the day so I can monitor them. I have either a tarp and blanket/sheet down or puppy pee pads, then a pet bed, low sided litter box, pile of hay, and water dish. I check their ears frequently to see how their body temp is doing. Usually they are cold and need a warm pack to sit on to help maintain a normal body temp. Rabbits won't eat well if cold, and they could become hypothermic if not actively warmed after surgery. But you also need to monitor so they don't overheat either. I'll keep offering their favorite leafy greens/herbs every hour or so.
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/opcare.html

I won't resort to feeding critical care unless it's late evening and they still aren't eating(or barely eating) anything. I'll feed every 4 hours through the night, along with syringing some water(both done carefully, slowly, allowing time for the rabbit to chew and swallow to avoid risk of aspiration). If they are eating a little bit of greens every few hours then I will usually hold off on the critical care as syringe feeding can be stressful(for the rabbit and the human).

Male buns will often start eating and be fine that same evening or by the next morning. I've only had one that went 48 hours before his appetite went back to normal, I think due to the anesthesia causing nausea, but he was eating a little bit of leafy greens every 30 min. so I held off on syringe feeding.

Keep an eye on him grooming down there to make sure he doesn't chew anything open. If he won't leave it alone then you may need to either use a pet shirt to cover the area, a donut or soft collar, or as a last resort a hard e collar. The hard e collars will prohibit them from eating their cecals on their own and can make some rabbits depressed, so I don't recommend them unless nothing else works to protect the rabbit from chewing open the surgical incisions. Contact your vet if it's a problem, to see what they recommend.

If your bun is still not eating well by the time you have to get back to school, I would syringe feed right before leaving, then syringe feed when I got back. You should also phone your vet and tell them your bun still isn't eating after the first day(or sooner if vet has given instructions to do so). And never hesitate to contact your vet if at any time your bun seems to be declining or you feel something is wrong.

Thanks for the answer, I’ll keep it in mind for Tuesday.
 
Is it true that neutered/spayed rabbit easily go up in weight?

My buck already overweight, because of my parents always giving him food.

I have a plan for summer to make my indoor bun an outdoor so he can lose weight and not beg for food.
 
I’m just wondering, when will the rabbit start eating by himself.

I had to give him oxbow critical care, manage only to get in 6 ml because he refused eating and the vet hadn’t fed him anything.

I manage to force feed him two banana slices and 3 pellets. He dosen’t even touch his bowl with veggies, bananas and pellets. He haven’t been close to the hay.

He got neutered around 12:00 and now it’s 16:30. Feed him half an hour ago.
 
Did the vet give you medicine to give him afterwards? Some rabbits won’t feel like doing anything after a surgery, and I wouldn’t be absolutely worried unless he hasn’t eaten anything for the next 24 hours. Has he drank anything?
 
He haven’t drank anything and he didn’t get any medicine from the vet.

Went out and bought some herbs which he likes and soaked them with water, he at least ate 2 leafs of them when I pushed them into his face.

He won’t move out from the house after I forced him to eat something, which I can perfectly understand. Myself feels like I annoying him, when he just want to sleep.
 
It’s good that he got something in him. He is probably in pain and just wants to be left alone to sleep. Is there any way to contact your vet to get some medicine? It will make a lot of the pain go away
 
They have closed now, but if he haven’t start eating by himself tomorrow morning I should take him to the vet.
 
How often should I force feed him? I often first present him with wet herbs, pellets and bananas if he doesn’t take any of them I give him critical care.

I manage to give him 3 ml water and 4 ml oxbow critical care, better than nothing. Took me almost 1 hour feeding him that, he’s not stressed but I take it really slow when feeding him (short breaks so he can swallow everything and lick around his mouth)

Right now I go with 2 hours interval with a little food and water.
 
I would go ahead and leave him alone for now. If by tomorrow you see he hasn’t eaten or drank anything on his own, i would contact your vet. Getting that medicine would probably help with the pain, so try getting that asap. He should be good for now as long as he has something in his stomach. Let him sleep and just keep an eye on him.
 
I would go ahead and leave him alone for now. If by tomorrow you see he hasn’t eaten or drank anything on his own, i would contact your vet. Getting that medicine would probably help with the pain, so try getting that asap. He should be good for now as long as he has something in his stomach. Let him sleep and just keep an eye on him.

Okay, I’ll keep my eyes on him. I’ll be feeding him again around the time he often eats at night.
 
My boys are all neutered. They all were different post op. 2 were needy babies and just wanted to be cuddled and loved. Two didn't eat for a day and was looking as though they were withering away but I just moved them right next to their partner and they perked up and recovered fine. We also didn't get any meds. Hope that helps a bit
 

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