Spaying – what to expect

[rayray]

I’ve decided to give bonding another go, but this time and I am spaying the female before we start. 

I just want to get some advice on what to expect after the spay?  Will she hid away?  How to make sure she’s eating?  And keeping the incision area clean?

Also, she is currently living with my mother.  Should I bring her to my place just before the spay or wait till after she is healed?

Sorry for all the crazy questions, like everyone else on here, I just want to make sure I do the best thing for her. <3

[JackRabbit]

Since she’s been with your mother and is used to her house, I would keep her there in a familiar environment *at least* until she is completely healed and back to normal all around. Since she will also need time for her hormones to dissipate (at least 4 to 6 weeks), I would keep her at your mother’s until then so that you are able to begin bonding once you take her to your house.

[Deleted User]

I agree with JR Rachel – leave Lily with your mum till it’s all done with and she has healed and she is free of those nasty girl hormones, ha ha ha!
Is your mum cool with you trying to bond Lily with Ziggy? I only ask cause this is why I hate pet sitting for a long period – I get attached and hate giving them back, lol! That’s how I ended up with Fred the disabled lorikeet (I’m sure I told you about Fred???). The hubby’s parents wanted us to look after him while they were away visiting family in Spain for 3 months and I WOULDN’T give him back when they got home, ha ha ha! But sadly, I think this made them happy???

The only advice I can offer (cause this is the ONE complaint I heard mostly about on BB) is make ‘sure’ you come home with pain med’s for Lily!
A spay is more invasive and SORE than a neuter, and our girls need pain med’s when most of our boy’s don’t.
Just keep an eye on the wound to make sure it is clean and doesn’t get infected, and try to encourage food, have her favourite veg and or maybe some critical care on hand as it is important they eat. Otherwise, just like I did Henry – I didn’t change anything. I just left him to his own devices. If he wanted to lay/hang out with us, he was free to do so. But if he wanted quiet time away from us, I left him be.

I’ll be thinking of Lily when she goes into surgery and I’ll send her vibes during her recovery. Make sure you let us know how everything goes. And tell your mum I think she is wonderful!!! Big Smile!

[rayray]

Thanks JR & AndHenry!!
I told my mum if she was feeling attached she could keep her. But she thinks Lily will be happiest with me & Ziggy. She’ll have a playmate & more room to run around.
I think once she’s fixed bonding won’t be too bad. When I had her here before there was only 1 mild fight and lots of nose rubs through the fence to each other. Fingers crossed.

[Deleted User]

How lovely is your mum – better than me! Ha ha ha! And I promise you Rachel, I’ll have everything crossed that Lily and Ziggy fall in love and live happily ever after – you know I’m a sucker for a happy ending!

[Tully]

I had my bunny nuetured (sorry he is a boy). The vet told me once they hit sex ally maturity it will take six to eight weeks for the hormones to go through his system. He was right. He went from being a little Baster to being a nice gentleman bunny after eight weeks.

[Thump]

This is just my experience with my girl. After the spay she looked terrible! Her eyes were half closed and she wouldnt move much. When I put her back in her pen, she hid in one corner and didnt move. I tried to make that area as cozy as possible. I put soft towels and food within reach. I gave treats to encourage appetite. She would get excited at first and take a few bites then stop when the reality of her condition hit her again. Its ok if they dont poop until the next day. The first poops will be mushy and thats normal. She actually loved her flavored medicine and had no problems taking it. I noticed a definite improvement in her mood after the drugs kicked in. She would hop a little and looked more herself. Everyday got a little better until she was herself again. The incision doesnt need much attention, its sealed pretty good. Just glance at it to make sure it is closed and not excessively red or swollen.

Fast forward 4 months. She doesnt get as frisky with her husbun, though she still humps his face when really excited (before feedings). His face is easier to mount than his huge backside if you were wondering. She hasnt had any false pregnancies and no nesting since. She still likes to pee on the carpet in certain areas. I was really hoping that behavior would stop but no. She is her typical happy self but not as humpy.

[Cottontail]

I just got my Tilly spayed; and I have an active thread going on her recovery HERE (click link)

She only came home with 3 days of medicine, but tonight is the 4th night and she seems alright without it now.  If she gets up too quickly she’ll hesitate a bit, but otherwise she’s been digging, doing little binkies, and throwing royal tantrums today. Currently she’s inhaling her timothy hay and making all kinds of mess.

On day one of her coming home she scared me half to death with how little she wanted to move and how little interest she had in ANYTHING.  I had to really work at it to get the first dose of medicine in her, but once she took it she was interested in the syringe.  I used the syringe to give her some water and I really think getting some water in her did the most good for her appetite and grooming.  Her tongue felt a little dry to me at first, and I assumed she got the same kind of cotton-mouth that I did after anesthesia and lots of pain meds… Luckily after she got a taste of her meds and some water, she was happy to see the syringe every time.

She didn’t groom herself or drink out of her water bowl or bottle for a while, but by about the 24 hr mark she broke down and bathed a bit and attempted drinking on her own.

My big suggestions are these:
-Have critical care (or some kind of ground pellets made into a watery paste) that you can syringe to her for nutrients and water intake

-Wet greens are probably the only thing she’ll eat that’s not in a syringe the first 24hrs… Tilly got really picky.

-Offer treats, offer LOTS of water, and give lots of head rubs.  Tilly was kind of cool to the touch compared to normal, so lots of warming cuddles and rubs to warm her and her ears, as well as make sure she knows she’s not alone.

-A stuffed animal and some blankets are helpful for the non-bonded bunny.  Tilly cuddled her stuffy, and once she started feeling a bit better rearranged her blankets to how she wanted them for comfort. 

I wish you luck and a smooth procedure!

[rayray]

Happy to say, Lily’s surgery went sl smoothly! Vet said she’s sore but already back to her frisky but cuddly self!!!!

[Cottontail]

YAY!
{{{Vibes for a smooth recovery}}}

[LittlePuffyTail]

Glad to hear it!

[Beka27]

Awesome! So glad she’s doing well!

[Author]

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