Neutering rabbits can have many benefits for you as well as for your rabbit. While the surgery is not too complicated, you should make sure the rabbit's recovery goes smoothly afterward. You will need to prepare the necessary things to care for your rabbit after neutering it. After the rabbit returns home, provide him with a comfortable and safe environment. After neutering, rabbits take 10 days to recover. While it's still recovering, you need to take good care of your rabbit.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing for Needs to Care for a Rabbit Post-Surgery
Step 1. Consult a veterinarian
When visiting a veterinary clinic to operate on a rabbit, consult with your veterinarian to find out the proper care for your rabbit post-surgery. Your vet will give you instructions for caring for your rabbit. When in doubt, always follow the advice of your veterinarian. Below are some questions you should ask your veterinarian:
- "What pain medication will you give?"
- "What time can I pick up the rabbits?"
- "How long is the rabbit's recovery period?"
- "What food to feed the rabbit post-surgery?"
Step 2. Clean the rabbit cage
Clean the rabbit's cage before bringing the rabbit home. Rabbit cages must be really clean so as not to cause infection. Remove any wood chips, dust, or hay from the cage, then replace it with newspaper or towels. By doing this, the rabbit's surgical wound will remain clean during the recovery period. Once the rabbit has fully recovered (or after the stitches have been removed), the wood chips can be put back in the cage.
- You can clean the cage with a solution of vinegar and water. Use a clean cloth to wipe the walls and floor of the cage.
- Sterilize drinking bowls and rabbit toys using hot water. Bring the water to a boil and then turn off the stove for a few minutes. After that, clean the drinking bowl and rabbit toys with the hot water.
Step 3. Move the rabbit cage into the house
Although rabbits usually live outdoors, they should be moved indoors while their recovery period is still ongoing. By doing this, you will be able to observe the rabbit more easily. In addition, the rabbit can rest in a safe and clean environment during the recovery period. Choose a warm and quiet area of the house. You can place the cage in the kitchen, garage, or bedroom, as long as the room is not cold.
Step 4. Physically prepare the rabbit for surgery
While most animals must fast before undergoing surgery, rabbits are not allowed to fast. You must feed the rabbit before the operation. Since rabbits have a fast metabolism and cannot vomit, their stomachs must be filled with food during the operation.
If your nurse or veterinarian asks you not to feed your rabbit before surgery, it's best to choose another veterinary clinic. While most pets must fast before undergoing surgery, rabbits are not allowed to fast. Also, the vet may not have experience with rabbits
Step 5. Take your rabbit's favorite treats and treats to the vet
Take your rabbit's favorite treat to the vet's clinic. Ask the vet to feed the rabbit after the operation is complete. Rabbits should eat as soon as the anesthetic effect wears off. Therefore, bringing your rabbit's favorite food to the vet can encourage him to eat.
Part 2 of 3: Bringing the Rabbit Home
Step 1. Provide a heater
Prepare a bottle of warm water, then wrap it with a towel. Place these warmers into the rabbit carrier on the way home. When you get home, warm the water bottle and place it in the rabbit's cage. The rabbit will rest near the heater to warm his body. Do not choose a heater that uses electricity so as not to cause burns or electric shock. You can also place a light blanket in the rabbit's cage.
Step 2. Separate the rabbits from each other
Rabbits can become aggressive when around each other. While neutering your rabbit can calm it down, other rabbits can hurt it and interfere with its recovery. This generally occurs when male and female rabbits are put together in one cage.
- For 4 weeks after being neutered, male rabbits can still fertilize female rabbits. During this time, the rabbit's testicles will darken and shrivel until they are finally gone; this is normal. Once the rabbit's testicles are gone, it can be fused with another rabbit.
- A neutered female rabbit can be injured by a male rabbit (even one that has been neutered). Therefore, separate the female rabbit from the male rabbit until the stitches are healed and gone.
Step 3. Make sure the rabbit eats
The male rabbit may eat its food right away, but the female rabbit may lose her appetite. It is important for rabbits to eat immediately after undergoing surgery. Try giving your rabbit a treat or his favorite food to increase his appetite.
- If the rabbit still won't eat, put rabbit food and water in a blender and puree. Use a syringe to feed the rabbit. Feed the rabbit the size of a grain of corn through the side of its mouth.
- If for 12 hours after surgery the rabbit does not want to eat, contact the veterinarian immediately.
Step 4. Keep the rabbit calm
As long as the stitches have not healed, the rabbit is not allowed to run or jump too often. This can make the rabbit's surgical wound open again. Keep your dog or cat out of the rabbit's cage. Don't take the rabbit out of the cage and let it roam around the house. Do not carry or handle the rabbit too often for several days after the operation. However, you can still pet him and give him treats.
The female rabbit will hide in the corner of the cage for 24 hours post-surgery. This is normal. Leave him alone, and don't hold him. If after a day the rabbit is still sitting in the corner of the cage, contact your veterinarian immediately
Part 3 of 3: Helping the Rabbit Recovery Process
Step 1. Wrap the rabbit's belly with a bandage
Rabbits may pull or scratch surgical sutures due to itching or irritation. Fold a small towel, then lay it over the surgical sutures. Use a bandage or gauze to tie the towel to the rabbit's stomach. As long as the rabbit's breathing is not disturbed, it will be fine.
If you don't have a bandage, you can cut the trouser band and use it as a bandage
Step 2. Give the rabbit the medicine it needs
The vet will prescribe pain medication for the rabbit. Follow the directions given by your veterinarian. Make sure your rabbit gets the right dose of medicine at the right time. This stage is very important for the female rabbit because the operation is more painful than the male rabbit. You may have to give your rabbit a pill or injection. If you don't want to inject your rabbit, ask for medicine in pill form.
- Rabbits may refuse to swallow the pills given. You can hide the pills behind the rabbit food. You can also dissolve the pill in a little water. After that, use a syringe to give the rabbit the reconstituted medicine through the side of its mouth.
- Pain medication injections were given to rabbits subcutaneously. In other words, the syringe only needed to penetrate the rabbit's skin. If your vet prescribes pain medication in the form of an injection, ask your vet to teach you how to inject the medication properly.
- Ask your vet when was the last time your rabbit was given pain medication. Generally, your vet will give your rabbit pain medication before you take him home.
Step 3. Plan your next vet visit
Visit the vet to remove surgical sutures. Generally, this is done 10 days post-surgery. The vet will examine the rabbit to make sure it is recovering well. Inform your veterinarian if:
- Surgical wound oozing blood or pus
- Open surgical wound
- Rabbit has diarrhea
- The rabbit becomes lethargic and doesn't want to move from the corner of the cage
- Rabbit grinding his teeth
- Rabbit body temperature decreases
- Dry or swollen testicles (for male rabbits)
Tips
- Give the rabbit lots of snacks post-surgery.
- Follow the vet's instructions carefully
