bethepoet
Well-Known Member
Hi, I know I should have had a read through in case this problem has a thread but I'm panicking a little bit and haven't had a look.
I have a 2 year old (approx) English rabbit who came home from the vets (spaying) just under 10 hours ago. I've had a bunny spayed before so sort of knew what to look out for, and she's actually perked up impressively well. I placed the pet carrier inside of a brand new cage, I've covered it with a towel and fleece to keep it dark and warm, but she hasn't been back inside the carrier. Her ears are coldish, and for the first couple of hours I was following her around with a blanket trying to keep her warm, but she'd just climb out from under it and stumble off. That's the first thing I'm a bit concerned about - as I said, her ears are cold but she knows the carrier is there, wouldn't she go in it if she needed the extra warmth? Could it be the new-ness of the cage that is keeping her outside, is she just trying to see and smell everything?
As for eating, the vet said she slept for a really long time and hadn't eaten or drank anything (what I'm most concerned about), and it took her a good three hours or so to finally nibble on a spinach leaf and a sprig of parsley. She's also taking the odd bit of hay now and again, so I'm not worried about that. What I am really bothered about though is her refusing to drink. There's her usual water bottle and a bowl of water in there, and she won't go near them. I've even tried putting some water on a teaspoon and holding it to her lips, but she just sniffs at it and moves away, and I've also tried gently pushing the bottle top into her mouth but she didn't like that at all. As I've said, she's been home about ten hours now and I'm really starting to worry about the lack of liquid in her system - should I be as concerned as I am? Is this normal? What can I do?!
It's confusing me that she's bounced back so quickly (she's moving freely and without discomfort, she's grooming herself, pooping, nibbling at food) and yet she's just not drinking. Help please! And thank you, I'm sorry I rambled, I just thought the more information the better.
I have a 2 year old (approx) English rabbit who came home from the vets (spaying) just under 10 hours ago. I've had a bunny spayed before so sort of knew what to look out for, and she's actually perked up impressively well. I placed the pet carrier inside of a brand new cage, I've covered it with a towel and fleece to keep it dark and warm, but she hasn't been back inside the carrier. Her ears are coldish, and for the first couple of hours I was following her around with a blanket trying to keep her warm, but she'd just climb out from under it and stumble off. That's the first thing I'm a bit concerned about - as I said, her ears are cold but she knows the carrier is there, wouldn't she go in it if she needed the extra warmth? Could it be the new-ness of the cage that is keeping her outside, is she just trying to see and smell everything?
As for eating, the vet said she slept for a really long time and hadn't eaten or drank anything (what I'm most concerned about), and it took her a good three hours or so to finally nibble on a spinach leaf and a sprig of parsley. She's also taking the odd bit of hay now and again, so I'm not worried about that. What I am really bothered about though is her refusing to drink. There's her usual water bottle and a bowl of water in there, and she won't go near them. I've even tried putting some water on a teaspoon and holding it to her lips, but she just sniffs at it and moves away, and I've also tried gently pushing the bottle top into her mouth but she didn't like that at all. As I've said, she's been home about ten hours now and I'm really starting to worry about the lack of liquid in her system - should I be as concerned as I am? Is this normal? What can I do?!
It's confusing me that she's bounced back so quickly (she's moving freely and without discomfort, she's grooming herself, pooping, nibbling at food) and yet she's just not drinking. Help please! And thank you, I'm sorry I rambled, I just thought the more information the better.