Preparation for Spaying

[Bellasmommy]

My almost 4 month old female Dwarf Hotot (about 1-3/4 lbs.) is supposed to be spayed this week. I read in my rabbit book that they shouldn't fast before surgery because they have sensitive digestive systems and should eat their hay and something light like an apple up until you take them to the vet if they want it. The vet I'll be taking her to told me she shouldn't have anything to eat after midnight as she'll have the surgery the next day.This makes me hesitate about using him as it doesn't sound like he is knowledgeable. Can anyone tell me which is correct - fasting or no fasting? THANKS!

 

[Watermelons]

Library Thread "Spaying and Neutering"
Give that a good read it will help you prepare.

Did the VET say to fast the rabbit or was it a Receptionist?
If it was a receptionist ask them to check with the vet. Often receptionists dont know this but the vet should and unless they do lots of rabbits they wont be able to tell you the correct information.
If the VET said to fast the rabbit, find a new vet.

 

[MagPie]

Yeah rabbits can't vomit, that's why vets will ask you to fast other animals because of the risking of them vomitting while under.

If you're hesitate, go for a different vet. I went to a bad vet when I first got my rabbit (he got bit by my cat)and didn't listen to my gut. Ended up wasting money going there.

 

[bowser]

I had my rabbit desexed yesterday. I originally went to a local vet, but I didnt feel comfortable with him, so sourced a vet who specialised in Rabbits.

They recommended Nugget eat right up until surgery and I had to give him a packed lunch with all his favourites. they said it had something to do with rabbits being grazers and having different digestive systems to cats/dogs and needing all the energy they can get before the op.

 

[Bunnylova4eva]

Don't fast them up to surgery. I'd *definitly* consider looking for a new vet if the vet said that.

 

[Sweetie]

Definitely don't fast before surgery. I would definitely go to a different vet if your vet told you to fast the rabbit before surgery. As was said in above post, rabbits cannot vomit. Fasting them before surgery would be dangerous for them. They may not make it through the surgery if they were fasted before surgery.

Sweetie was spayed and she ate right up to the operation. A vet that says that a rabbit should fast before surgery is not very knowledgeable about rabbits. Cats, dogs and rabbits are different from each other. Cats and dogs can vomit, so they need to be fasted before surgery so that they don't vomit during the surgery. Rabbits cannot vomit therefore they don't need to be fasted, because if they are fasted then that means that they may not make it through the surgery or if they do they will have problems afterwards.

 

[Acacia-Berry]

I had my Acacia spayed at a vet who is the only AAHA accredited vet in my city but 5 years ago the vet had only performed a couple spays prior to Kaysh. I was nervous and didn't know what to expect but had her done anyway (you don't understand the terror Acacia was!)I had to sign the waiver for a "cat spay".....Which included the point of "fasting".
Even if the receptionists oftentimes don't know the difference and when prepping the customer they will advise to fast. I had some trouble and spent an extra unnecessary 20 mins in my bunny vet a couple yrs later at Acacia's cheek surgery.. The receptionist had no clue but I questioned it and told her to make sure she doesn't say it again. Sometimes we have to educate the ones we rely on for valid info. It's part ignorance, part responsibility.

 

[tonyshuman]

A lot of times it is the receptionist making the reminder call who makes that mistake just because they're used to saying it for cats and dogs. If it was the vet, I'd get a new vet. If it was the receptionist, I'd call to ask the vet directly.

 

[Maureen Las]

tonyshuman wrote:

A lot of times it is the receptionist making the reminder call who makes that mistake just because they're used to saying it for cats and dogs. If it was the vet, I'd get a new vet. If it was the receptionist, I'd call to ask the vet directly.

Yep ..if the veterinarian actually told you to fast the the bun definitely seek out another vet

http://rabbit.org/faq/sections/vet.html