Our male lop scheduled for neutering but I am skeptical-they do not offer pain meds !

[UPguy]

We have scheduled our 4 month old MALE mini-lop for NEUTERING. This clinic vet cares for rabbits but they are certainly not specialists or "exotic" pet-vets. I asked about post-surgery pain meds and was told that they do NOT do pain meds unless the owner specifically asks. Made me start to think, worry about their humanitarian ethic turning out a neutered rabbit without some pain control. Of course they suggested that pain meds reduce the rabbit's urge to eat and consequently can start GI stasis (yea, I get the concept), but it seems there should be some compromise.
The vet rabbit specialist we usually use in Virginia is 1000 miles from where we are and we need to do something SOON. He is frantic and it is "just time."

Please advise on this idea of "no pain meds" after a male neutering. ???
Poor Benjamin !

 

[ladysown]

they supply them if you ask though... so ASK. don't give anymore of them than you need to though.

 

[UPguy]

This is such a GREAT site. I am sooo thankful to Rabbits Online !
Doing a little research on here and indications are that perhaps "Buprenex" may be thee best choice for our 4 month old, approx. 4 lb. bunny (Benjamin).And that perhaps "Tramadol" may be a close second best. Sound right?

We would like to not have to administer meds at home for the boy.

 

[Bville]

My bunnies got Metacam after their neuter, once a day for 3 days. They recovered very well.

 

[Watermelons]

Honestly most rabbits are fine with out. Most dogs and cats are fine with out.
Metacam would be a great pain med of choice. There is really no need to go to heavy duty drugs for a neuter.... its not like he had his whole abdomen sliced open.

 

[RascallyRabbit]

My vet also had pain meds as an option and not a requirement but there is a good reason for that, for one the boys tend to be up and hopping very soon after surgery(The vet actually had to give him quite a bit of pain meds before he came him so he wouldn't pull his stitches!) and two most vets give pain meds just after surgery so it isn't that the rabbit gets none at all but that don't need them after. Girls on the other hand tend to need them as the surgery is a bit different from boys.
Although we got the pain meds for our boy i don't think we really needed them! He was perfect from the moment we got him back XD

 

[hamsterdance]

As was said, neutered rabbits tend to be up and moving pretty quick. My males were both eating the evening after surgery and trying to be active within a day or so. My vet gave me metacam for my female but it was optional for the male. Neuters are much easier on buns than spays, but I do think many places make the pain meds optional.

 

[UPguy]

Proud of our boy, Benjamin. He was eating &drinking 2 hours after he came home from surgery. Prescribed Metacam 1x daily for 4 days. A little on the quiet side but eating and drinking fine.

The vet used some kind of surgical tape INSTEAD of stitches. She said her experience showed her that seemed to work best for male rabbits.
Five hours after the surgery, Benjamin busted out of his cage and climbed a full flight of stairs (despite me encouraging him to not scamper up there). Moved slower up stairs than normal--hope he did not rip anything going up those stairs! Ugh.
Anyway, thanks to all for your advice. Dr. said that Metacam has an anti-inflammatory in it that is good.
Oh, PS., apparently there are still "bullets in the gun" for about THREE weeks AFTER this surgery. Continue to be separate from sister Bonnie.

 

[Watermelons]

He should remain separate until his sister is spayed as well.
Male rabbits can still do the deed from 1-2 months after the surgery as well.

Please try and keep him more confined. He should be restricted to his cage for at least a few more days.

 

[RascallyRabbit]

Yup most bun vets suggest at least 4 weeks before introducing to other buns (if they are both desexed) both for that reason and to make sure they are healed up properly. Sounds like your boy is doing well but as watermelons said it's best to keep him confined to make sure he doesn't pull anything.
Also you'll want to keep an eye on the surgery area as an infection is very danger if it flares up, that means that anything that could get him dirty or wet is a bit no no and very minimal grooming down there, heard some horrible stories about that plus just today saw one that decided to take a nibble, not nice at all

 

[UPguy]

This is helpful because we were told (by our not so familiar with rabbits vet here)
that he is "a risk" for THREE weeks only.

I suppose I am just a tad skeptical that he would have viable sperm beyond 6 weeks! At least we may be free of potential "spraying" after a month? We want him out and actively hopping in the house as soon as possible.

Thanks again.

 

[UPguy]

Wow ! Thanks folks for the advice on Benjamin. Our not-real familiar with rabbits vet said that he is "viable" for THREE weeks only, and then we had planned on him fellowshipping with his sister, Bonnie. They sooo enjoy one another's company.

I am just a bit skeptical that he could have viable sperm after six weeks ( 1 1/2 months ! ):cry1: it is so difficult containing him, BUT, if the spaid STOPS him sooner from SPRAYING, then we can leave him (isolated) out with supervision!

Thanks again !