Got Butterscotch spayed

[Lisa]

So Butterscotch got spayed yesterday and came through with flying colors. This morning I went give her meds and check the incision and she had pulled all the stitches out and her belly was completely open! I immediately wrapped her in a blanket not knowing if her insides could come out the incision, into her carrier and called the vet. They were waiting for me when I got there, I was shaking I was so scared. One of the vets came out and told me that only the stitches from her skin were pulled out not the internal stitches so her organs weren’t in danger. Some relief but had to wait for the vet that did her surgery to come in and check out everything. Very few vets do surgery on “exotics” but Dr Katz came highly recommended. She called me a few hours later and said they were taking her into surgery and will call me when they are done. She said most rabbits leave the incision alone but about 1 in 500 will do this and Butterscotch is the 1! She just called and said everything went well, she put antibiotics directly into the wound, stitched her up, wrapped a bandage around her and put a “soft” collar on her. She explained about what I need to do in the next few days. Give her antibiotics, anti-inflamatories, and pain meds. She also is sending her home with other meds for her digestion like probiotics and something to help her poop. She asked if I had a harness, which I do and said to take off the makeshift one she made out of bandages and put the harness on instead and it will keep the collar on so she can’t reach the incision. They trimmed her nails down so she hopefully won’t be able to pull the stitches with her feet. I wanted them to keep her overnight but she explained that rabbits are very sensitive and she will be more calm and comfortable at home instead of in a noisy vet clinic which could cause even more stress. My husband is picking her up and she will be home soon. If anybody has any suggestions or advise to help us get through this I would love the help. I’m so stressed and I know I need to be calm when she gets home. I blocked off the ramp of her hutch and put everything on the top level so she can’t be running around or up and down the ramp, Dr said limit her mobility for a few days. I can reach her easier from the top also and it’s where she eats and sleeps so just had to move her litter box up there. I know I’m rambling but I’m worried and know you all understand. Thanks for “listening” to me!

[Bam]

Of course we understand you’re very worried! Ramble all you want!

I’venever been in your situation, but it sounds like your vet gave you sound advice. Make sure she keeps warm when she comes home, rabbits can get hypothermic post anesthesia. Painkillers/anti-inflammatories also lowers the bodytemp. She could need hand warmers or a hot water bottle, but she must have space enough to be able to move away from the heat source.

Feel her ears, are they really cold it’s a sign she needs warming up. If she eats, the risk of hypothermia is vastly reduced.

She will feel better at home with you, rather than spend the night in a strange environment. As for her picking up on your worry, all we can do is try to keep as calm as we can.

If she normally has a bottle, give her a water bowl as well. Bowls easier to drink from, and it’s been shown that a bun drinks more from a bowl than from a bottle.

Please keep us posted!

[Mikey]

Eh. I wouldnt say 1 in 500 try pulling stitches. Many rabbits do because they know its a wound and have the instinct to treat it themselves, it might itch, it might tickle, they try to clean it too hard, they try to remove what is causing them pain, ect. Its pretty common, although can usually be easily stopped with human help (cone of shame, rabbit onesie, sock tactic, bandages, medication, ect). Just wanted to point that out, since your vet made it seem like this is a rare occurrence when it is really rather common.

Anyway. Yes to limiting her mobility. Very good that you moved all of her items to the top of her hutch so she cant use her ramp She may or may not use her litter box for the next few days as she starts to heal. She may eat and toilet less often. If you notice she isnt eating or drinking very much, try to syringe feed her critical care or pellet mash (pellets soaked in water to make a thickish liquid). You can also rinse her greens with water and not dry them off to help out too. Antibiotics can mess with a rabbits temp so you should check that every once in a while. You can offer her a warm spot in her cage, like a fleece blanket.

[Lisa]

She came home last night and really hates the collar! I gave her three of her liquid meds, two of which she actually like but the third she went ballistic when tasted it. Before I left for work she had gotten the collar untied and was out of it. I tied it differently and it was still on when I got home. Gave her meds again and she was much better. But she HATES that collar and is constantly trying to chew it. She’s eating salad but only picks at her food and hay. So looks like I’m going to have to mix up some of that gruel and maybe she’ll eat that. If not I will have to syringe feed it to her. Not looking forward to that. Her bandage is still secure so as long as that stays on till she heals I can handle everything else. I did have to take her straw house out since she couldn’t get in with the collar and gave her a fleece blanket that she loves burrowing under. She’s using her litter box both pee and poop and they are normal so that is a relief. She has always used a bowl to drink from but she’s not drinking much right now. I’m she’s very stressed so I try to leave her alone and rest. She does like me holding her and stroking her head after meds but I can tell she’s still upset with how fast she is breathing. I’ll keep you posted on how she progresses. Thanks for all the suggestions and help!

[LittlePuffyTail]

How is your bunny doing today?

I know it’s hard dealing with them being unhappy wearing a collar. My first bunny needed one for over a week after his neuter.

[Lisa]

So one step forward two steps back. Today after giving her meds and a syringe full of critical care I took the collar off for a couple minutes but watched the entire time. She was getting frustrated that she couldn’t clean her face and that’s the first thing she did. Next thing I know she’s trying to bite the bandage. I stopped her before she could so I checked it and noticed it had come lose, not from her trying to bite it but it had gotten wet and came lose. I lifted it up and the incision was yellow with some puss and the skin around it red and puffy. I called the vet and once again took her in, it was 8pm. They had to knock her out to take the badage off. Vet came out and said the edges of the incision were dying. He cleaned it up then put and adhesive gel type “glue” over it. He says it will form into what he calls a scab. It has antibacterial in it and will keep it completely clean and water proof. Then he wrapped her belly with elastic wrap. He also gave me some anti-anxiety medication since she has been so stressed out with all this going on. When he brought her back in the exam room she just layed her head in my hand while I stroked her cheek and chin. When I took my hand away she followed it and put her head back in my hand. My heart melted! At home I put another blanket in her hutch and fresh hay which she actually started eating! Woo Hoo, she’s eating! Never thought I’d be so excited to see a rabbit eat. She must be feeling better since the wound is cleaned up. She’s not out of the woods yet so keep the positive thoughts and vibes going. I appreciate having people who know what I’m going through to talk to.

[Vincent]

Yikes, glad you caught that early and brought her to the vet again! That could if ended badly..

And eating is a super good sign!

Sending Vibes to you and Butterscotch

Sounds like you are taking very good care of her post op

[Author]

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