Bunny Licking Spay Incision 1 Week After Surgery

[Marissa]

Hey guys, me again! Bubba was spayed last Friday (June 8th) and ended up coming down with an ear infection. I got antibiotics and it seems to have cleared up completely. The entire time she was getting over this her incision looked totally normal. Just today I noticed its a bit red around it and I can see her licking it. I am just wondering if this is normal after one week since surgery? My guess is that she is at the itchy stage of healing so it is bothering her a bit more. I am also wondering what exactly it looks like when the incision opens up? I am hoping that since she has had a week of healing it wouldnt’ be too easy for her to open it up but I just want to be sure incase. I had some metacam left over and gave her a bit today because I read that if the incision is bothering them they are more likely to lick/chew at it. She seems to be going for it less now. Any help or advice you guys have is greatly appreciated! 

[Bunny House]

Hi!
I know penelope did not lick her incision but Caramel did. She is just more sensitive. It is probably itchy due to the incision healing so ask the vet for silver sds or something like that cream. Put it on her incision and it will heal up super fast and help the itching. When the incision opens up, you’ll see red flesh and that is an easy access to bacterial infection in her. The vet might have you put the cone of shame on her for a bit so it can get a jump start on the healing

[Marissa]

Hi and thank you for your reply! When we see the vet I will definitely ask about some cream. Luckily since she is already on antibiotics for her ear I’m not too worried about infection and the incision doesn’t appear to be open. I feel so bad putting her in a cone but it may need to happen 

[Bunny House]

Let us know how she does!?

[Marissa]

She seems to be doing better and I haven’t noticed her licking at her incision anymore. Now it kind of just looks like there’s a scab over it. Do you know if that is normal? Will it just fall off in the next few weeks? Thanks for all your help  

[Nutmeg]

I am only posting to follow this as my bunny is going for her spay soon and I’ve been researching after care.
I would think a scab would be normal, as I had one when my appendix was out – but I’m not 100% sure for bunnies, so I hope my comment bumps yours up and you get an answer, as I can see my bunny going to town at a scab. Eep

[Bunny House]

Yes, if there is a scab then you know it is healing! It should fall off and make sure tshe doesn’t try to rip it off as it can reopen the wound. She sounds like she’s healing nicely ☺️

[Marissa]

Bunny House: Thank you thank you! I will definitely keep an eye on the scab and do my best to stop her from ripping it off. We have had quite the post-spay experience and I just hope there’s no more surprises! Thanks again 

[Marissa]

Nutmeg: Absolutely! It’s good to know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. I’ve heard some other great tips such as putting your bunny in a baby onesie if you notice them going for the incision sight. The best advice I can give you is to have lots of good food for her after surgery. She will be uncomfortable so may not want to eat but the sooner she does the better, and this can be encouraged by delicious carrot tops – my bunnies fav haha. I wish you and your little one the best and please  feel free to reach out if you have anymore questions!  

[Nutmeg]

Posted By Marissa on 6/18/2018 5:35 PM

Nutmeg: Absolutely! It’s good to know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. I’ve heard some other great tips such as putting your bunny in a baby onesie if you notice them going for the incision sight. The best advice I can give you is to have lots of good food for her after surgery. She will be uncomfortable so may not want to eat but the sooner she does the better, and this can be encouraged by delicious carrot tops – my bunnies fav haha. I wish you and your little one the best and please  feel free to reach out if you have anymore questions!  

Thanks so much Marissa! This site is just amazing!! 
I’ve also been trying to treat Critical Care like its a treat to have them licking it right off the spoon – trying to force feed my last bunny in her last few weeks was just a horrible experience. So I’m hoping this will have them not hate it is much if my new boy and girl ever need it in the figure (he will be getting neutered at the same time as her spay as I can only take so much time off work in case I need to stay home with them)

Sending good vibes your bunny’s way too!!! 

[Bunny House]

Awesome!!

[Sirius&Luna]

Nutmeg, you can also try giving them some juice out of a syringe, so they learn to associate syringes with tasty things! Hopefully it means that they’ll be more willing to take the painkillers from a syringe after surgery.

[Marissa]

Nutmeg: That is a great idea! Seems like you already know what you’re doing having them both spayed/neutered at once will be a lot but I’m sure you can handle it and will do the best job looking after them in their recovery! 

Thank you so much for your well wishes, Bubba is doing great  

[Nutmeg]

Posted By Sirius&Luna on 6/20/2018 5:07 AM

Nutmeg, you can also try giving them some juice out of a syringe, so they learn to associate syringes with tasty things! Hopefully it means that they’ll be more willing to take the painkillers from a syringe after surgery.

S&L that is an AMAZING Idea!! Any suggestions on what juice is food safe for bunny’s ? I know its just a small amount as a treat, but just want to be sure!!  

[Nutmeg]

Thanks Marissa – just lots of research on this awesome forum haha I’ve never had to put any animal through a surgery, let alone a bunny – so its nerve wracking.
The vet I’m taking too will keep them until they are eating – even if that means over night. They advised that the only time they send them home before they see that mark of improvement is if their nerves are shot and they think they would be calmer – and there fore more likely to eat – at home.
When I took them in for their first check up the girl, Penny, lost her mind in the car and was very traumatized after. The boy, Rupert (who I now call Poopert as he’s pooping everywhere marking his teritory lol – couldn’t care less about the whole thing hahaha So its her I’m more worried about.

I have limited days I can take off work, so it make sense to do them at once in case something goes wrong and I need to take time off to be home caring for them!

Thanks for letting my, unintentionally, hijack your post haha

[Marissa]

Nutmeg: This forum definitely is a huge help! Sounds like you have an awesome vet, I have never heard of any vet keeping them until they are eating so that’s amazing they look after for the bunnies so well. Bubba didn’t eat until the day after so I would say be prepared to leave them overnight. I think for bonding reasons it’s a good idea to do them at the same time, it may be a bit more stressful but it’s only for a few days and then they are back to being themselves again! LOL Poopert, I love it! Bubba is still doing some territorial pooping but I imagine once the hormones die down (approx 1 month) that will stop. Hopefully Penny will be okay knowing her friend Poopert is there with her you did not hijack at all! This forum is for us all to learn and get our questions answered take care and the best of luck to you! You know where to find me if you have any more questions! 

[Nutmeg]

Thanks so much Marissa! 
She did say that if they aren’t eating, and it appears to be from stress of being at the vets, that they will send them home early to see if being in their home environment gets them eating again – Vs. not eating as they are not recovering well. Then if they still don’t eat I bring them back…. 
They 100% wont release them until they have pooped / pee’ed though. 
And there is no extra charge if they have to keep them over night which is amazing…  Mind you its just over $300 for her spay and over $250 for his neuter and that’s before tax! So about $600 for the two of them!! 

And I agree! I love this forum!! 

[Marissa]

Yeah it certainly isn’t cheap! They may include the cost of keeping them overnight in that price as I think neuters are typically much cheaper around $100 and Bubbas spay cost $225 with tax (and then about $500 in vet bills the weekend after due to her ear infection). These are all $CAD prices too. So it seems your vet may charge a bit more but I would say it definitely sounds worth it. I often wonder if I had paid the $500 another vet quoted me maybe we wouldn’t have had the issue of the ear infection but I suppose I will never know! Anyway you are doing the best thing for your buns and at the end of the day the cost will be totally worth it.  

[Nutmeg]

Awww ya, very true!
And I hope your little girl is still doing better and leaving the area alone still!

[Marissa]

She is! The fur has all grown back and you can’t really even see the scar anymore thanks for the kind wishes!

[Author]

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