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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum DIET & CARE Post Spay Issues

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    • PaigeMorgan
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        Tuesday morning, 7:30 am, I had brought my bun in to the vet for an exam and then to be spayed. I was told I would get a call after her surgery to let me know how she did and if there were any complications. I did not get a call until 3pm, but I was told she did great! Awesome news for a worried bunny mom. My vet wanted to keep her over night to watch the incision and to make sure she is okay. They provided a warm space, food, water, pain meds, etc. They did a really, really great job. I was able to pick her up Wednesday at 2pm. Unfortunately, I do not know if she actually ATE the food that was provided. I had asked, but no one was sure.

        So on Tuesday I bring her home. She did not want to move much, and actually stayed in her carrier for ten minutes before she decided to walk into her little house. She couldn’t seem to get comfortable, as she keep turning around. She would not eat anything but a tiny piece of romaine (I rip it up for her) and a single piece of basil (I have a plant in my window). That being said, she did drink water. That made me feel a little bit better. Later that night I tried to feed her some critical care. She does not take to syringe feeding much. I ended up wearing most of it, and she was very unhappy. At about 10pm I made her a fresh salad of romaine and kale, put some pellets in a little bowl, and chopped off a slice of banana (her favorite treat).

        I wake up today, Thursday, and she has not eaten a thing! I had to give her medicine at about 6:30, and that was a struggle. I had to do this before, and I used to be able to trick her into opening her mouth with a treat. Unfortunately, she does not seem interested in her favorite treats. After a struggle, I finally was able to get me medicine in her mouth. Because she hasn’t eaten anything, I mixed up some more critical care and tried to feed her. I think I got about half the mixture in (1tbsp cc 2tbsp warm water total. she ate half, possibly less looking at the towel…), but she was NOT HAPPY. It was really stressful for both of us. About 20 minutes ago I was able to entice her with the basil. She ate 8 leaves and two very, very small pieces of kale. She seems to only eat when I hand feed her. She will not take another bite, though. I will stop by the store after class and get some more fragrant herbs. I just want to get something in her.She did drink a bit of water this morning. Definitely not as much as usual. There were no poops OR pee in her litter box (I have one underneath a drilled one. The urine falls into the second box.)

        She has been grinding her teeth this morning. I’m sure the pain medicine takes a little to kick in. I’m sure the stress/struggle of syringe feeding did not help. She seems to have stopped right now, though.

        What can I do to get her to eat more? She is not at all interested in what would normally be treats. Usually she DEVOURS her salads. She has not eaten a single piece of hay. I know that I wouldn’t want to eat after a procedure like that, but her life depends on it. I feel a tiny bit better now that she has nibbled on some greens, but not much. How long does this usually last? When should she start feeling well enough to eat more, or at least enough to poop?

        I am so, so scared and i want her to be okay.


      • JackRabbit
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          Its not unusual for a recently spayed bunny to want to be hand fed and its good that she ate a few greens and drank water. However, she should be eating more by now and definitely should be pooping (might be misshapen and smaller) and peeing. Grinding her teeth is a sign of pain. I would call the vet right away.


        • PaigeMorgan
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            Hey, i just want to update. I had to leave for class this morning, so i made sure she had a salad and plenty of hay. I picked up a bunch of mint, cilantro, parsley, and a little more basil because I figured she’d eat that. I cannot tell if she had eaten any hay. None really seems to be missing.

            She did not touch her salad, but she devoured the herbs. I’d really like her to eat some hay, but at least something is getting in her stomach. I do not see nay droppings yet, but now that she is eating I expect to see some by tonight.

            i’m feeling hopeful!!


          • PaigeMorgan
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              Hey, i just want to update. I had to leave for class this morning, so i made sure she had a salad and plenty of hay. I picked up a bunch of mint, cilantro, parsley, and a little more basil because I figured she’d eat that. I cannot tell if she had eaten any hay. None really seems to be missing.

              She did not touch her salad, but she devoured the herbs. I’d really like her to eat some hay, but at least something is getting in her stomach. I do not see nay droppings yet, but now that she is eating I expect to see some by tonight.

              i’m feeling hopeful!!


            • aj318
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                Hi, I had my bun spayed last week- she also didnt really want to eat much at first- I was given a medicine which was in powder form to get her tum working again, one sachet each day- i sprinkled it over grated carrot- and then essentially hand fed it to her- by day 3 she couldnt wait for it and had certainly got her appetite back again with eating her salad and hay too.

                grated carrot always seems to be a winner at its really small little mouthfuls for them, and also has a high water content so will help to hydrate them too if they arent wanting to drink too much. 


              • JackRabbit
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                  Its been way too long since she has pooped. I would ar least call the vet for advice.


                • PaigeMorgan
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                    I agree. The vet is closed, but I will call as soon as they open.


                  • PaigeMorgan
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                      In the meantime, i’m going to try to syringe feed her again. She ate a bit of herbs, but this may help. She isn’t drinking too much, so I made sure her herbs were nice and wet, and the syringe feeding may help.I also put in a bowl of water along with her regular hanging bottle. The vet may need to hydrate her, but I won’t be able to get in until tomorrow.

                      I will try the carrots! She has lost her appetite since earlier this afternoon, so she probably will not touch them. At least she has something in her.

                      Babbit hasn’t left her cage unless it was to avoid syringe feeding. Is this normal? She is just sitting and lying down. Sometimes she is on her side, but does not do so with a happy flop. 

                      Also she HAS urinated, but not much, and the odor is stronger than usual. I am assuming this is due to dehydration.


                    • JackRabbit
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                        You could try syringing water too, just a little at a time so she doesn’t choke it. Hydration is super important. Definitely keep her on her pain med schedule too.


                      • rayray
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                          I was in this situation very recently. I found adding a small amount of apple juice to the water was enough to entice drinking.

                          As for eating, she ended up staying at the vet during the day for 2 days (back home in the evenings).
                          By the 4-5th day she was eating normal again. After a week she was bouncing around.
                          Really hope it all works out for both of you!!! Hugs!


                        • PaigeMorgan
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                            I haven’t thought of adding juice! How did you get your bun to try the water to notice that it was sweet and delicious? I brewed some peppermint tea and waited for it to cool. I added it in her house, but she doesn’t seem interested.

                            I read about mixing CC with canned pumpkin. I will pick up a can and give that a try. she will NOT let me syringe feed her anymore, and that goes for water as well. It’s stressing her out.

                            As for medication, I only have one dose of metacam for each morning for four days (three more doses). I have plenty of metoproclamide and I will ask my vet tomorrow if I should use some, and if so, how much (this was not mentioned to me for post-spay care), but it may help. I also have simethicone.

                            She weighs 3.5 pounds exactly, but I’m not sure about dosages and i do not want to make anything worse.


                          • PaigeMorgan
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                              I called my vet and she is going to give me more pain meds for Babbit, and also a probiotic paste. She recommended I use my left over metoclopramide every 8 hours.

                              now if i can get her to open her mouth for the meds.


                            • JackRabbit
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                                Are you putting the syringe in the gap between the teeth at the side of her mouth so her mouth doesn’t have to be open? If not, give that a try.


                              • PaigeMorgan
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                                  Yeah, the problem is she hops away. I’ve been pretty successful, it just takes a lot of petting and time. It was easier when she’d open her mouth for a treat and i get quickly sneak the meds in, haha.

                                  As far as meds schedule goes, I will now be giving her pain medicine every 8 hours (first the metacam, then buprenex), the anti-emetic every 8 hours (an hour after pain medicine), and bene-bac once a day. CC as needed, and syringes of water every few hours. 

                                  I just got back from the vet. She will have to stay overnight if there are no significant improvements by tomorrow. On a positive note, she has started munching on her own.

                                  Edit: also, thank you so much JackRabbit for continuing to help. It means a lot!


                                • JackRabbit
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                                    No problem. Spays are scary enough for us moms, but bunnies in pain and not wanting to eat and poop make us crazy!


                                  • PaigeMorgan
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                                      I’m definitely going to bring her to the vet tomorrow. She won’t eat today, and i can barely get any CC + pumpkin in her. She still has yet to poo, and she is getting no exercise. She won’t leave her house to hop around the room.

                                      I’m trying so, so hard to be calm, but I am scared and worried. I called out of work today so i can watch her, but I have to go to school. I’m so afraid of leaving her, and even more afraid of coming home to her not being okay. This has been the most stressful few days of my entire life.


                                    • PaigeMorgan
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                                        the post duplicated


                                      • PaigeMorgan
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                                          this post duplicated


                                        • JackRabbit
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                                            Have you bunny burrito’d her to keep her still so you can get something in her? Do you have someone (anyone) who could help you? Is there an emergency vet you could go to or an emergency number for your vet?


                                          • PaigeMorgan
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                                              I do. my partner lives with me, but his work schedule and my school/work schedule do not always match up. We did burrito for the first time today. It is the only way I can get the majority of her food in and a little water. She seems to… hold it in her mouth. It’s not due to the tightness of the towel, because we are sure to loosen it as we go to make sure. The last time she ended up hopping right out of it lol (we had already gotten bene-bac, half the CC mix, and some water in at that point.)

                                              It’s still super messy, but I figure she gets more in her belly as she cleans up her face!

                                              There is an emergency vet that treats rabbits. It’s about 45 minutes away, and they would keep her overnight (which is not a bad thing. There is 24/7 care)
                                              I also have an appointment set up for tomorrow morning at her regular vet. I’ve met with them this morning to pick up more medicine.

                                              Speaking of medicine: could the buprenex be suppressing her appetite? The poor bun cannot seem to win; it’s either pain management or appetite with the medication!!

                                              edit: she ran out of her cage when i was sitting on the other side of the room!! This was the first time she has really moved, but she seems a bit off. She went into the bag of Yesterday’s News a few times and is staying in one area. She seems a little more active, though.


                                            • JackRabbit
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                                                I can’t find anything about that one way or the other. Between the metacam and bupronex, it would seem that her pain would be under control, and the anti-emetic should get her stomach emptying, but there’s got to be something in her for the digestive system to move through. Just keep up the CC.

                                                The bunny burrito should be snug but not constricting. You want her wrapped up except for her head. If she can hop right out, its probably too loose. Maybe have one of you hold her burrito’d n your lap with her butt against your abdomen and the other sit in front of her as close as possible so there’s no place to hop and syringe from that position. Its going to be messy, but whatever you can get in her is better than nothing. You can mix a little apple juice and/or canned pumpkin in with the CC to improve the taste. I know its difficult. Keep offerring her favorite greens hand fed — sometimes they’ll finally take a bite just to get it out of their face!

                                                You’ve got a long night ahead of you. Sending all of you hugs.


                                              • PaigeMorgan
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                                                  Sorry for the lack of updates. We have been so busy with Babs that i haven’t had time.

                                                  Unfortunately I don’t have much to say in terms of recovery. She is still really sick and we are moving towards more aggressive treatment. I just got home from one of the many vet appointments, and they referred me to an emergency specialist that we will be seeing in a couple of hours.

                                                  The good news is that she is almost back to her regular self in terms of personality.This is great, but it also makes bunny burritos much harder. She knows when it is time for meds and makes it very clear she wants nothing to do with them. That being said, we have become burrito experts. She is moving a lot more and even started to dig in her box (her favorite). She begun to eat a little by herself, not just her salads, but even hay!!! She’s eating some as I type. Though she should have been doing this days ago, I think this is an important step towards recovery. She still is not drinking by herself, but I have been giving her fluids often and she is urinating a lot more, though not quite as much as usual.

                                                  She had gotten an x-ray and her small intestines are bloated with gas. I have been giving her simethicone many times a day, but there is a lot of gas still there. Her stomach makes loud noises, though i haven’t heard any since this morning. Also, there seems to be a blockage in her large intestine. I will have more information tonight.

                                                  All of of my fingers and toes are crossed. I just want her to feel better!! My stomach has been knotted up for days.

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                                              Forum DIET & CARE Post Spay Issues