So basically, I had no idea where to put this topic but felt it should go in diet and care because it is about after a rabbits neuter operation. So, I have 2 9 month old lionhead buck brothers, and they had their neuter operation yesterday around 11-12ish. They both pulled through (My last rabbit died under anaesthetic during her spay operation), and after I’d been pacing and literally shaking until 2pm when I could finally call up, I was equally thrilled and relieved to find out that they had pulled through the operation!
Now however, I am having trouble with their aftercare? I have had a rabbit neutered before, but he was never any hassle, he hopped (no pun intended) straight back into routine, eating as soon as he got home as well as drinking, and all he wanted to do was what the vet explicitly told me he couldn’t and shouldn’t be doing!
Yet, my 2 boys won’t eat unless urged too, and I have been doing it for well over 24 hours now. They’ll occasionaly throughout the day eat a couple of pellets, but will barely touch their hay. I gave them some forage, which they have picked bits out of. As well as a couple pea flakes (their favourite!) But shouldn’t they be eating their hay? So far, I have only witnessed one of them drink.
I should note that Smudge did have some problems during his operation, that even made the vets fret that he’d pass away. His respiratory rate was extremely low for that of a rabbit normally under anaesthetic, as well as this he was making a lot of wheezy and grunting noises throughout the operation. However, they carried on with the operation as his breathing rate didn’t change and remained constant throughout the operation. When waking him, again he took a lot longer to wake up than a rabbit normally would.
I have been syringe feeding them critical care and their burgess pellets 3 times a day as told by the vet. I do have some probiotic too, but I’m not sure if I should use it or not? The vet didn’t give me any pain relief because she said it may cause more harm than good as when she saw them this morning they looked very bright and alert (and had been given a 24 hour painkiller after op). Smidge does have 2 swollen testicles still, which the vet said is normal and is nothing to worry about unless they get any bigger or there’s any discharge or discolouration. Smudge has one swollen and one empty sac.
They had no stitches as they operated via the scrotum, where the skin is too delicate for this, so surgical glue was used. I caught Smudge mounting Smidge today and have no idea what to do in this situation – do I stop him?
Someone please give me some advice! I’m going to be giving them a water bowl now, so that they have easier access to a water source than just with bottles.