Acidophilus and pain meds?

[I_heart_Fraggles]

On the 13th of June Fraggles is having surgery to correct a small birth defect in her hind leg. It causes a "joint popping" sound when she hops. The vet said it could worsen over time so we will be correcting it. My question is I read on a website that she should be given something called acidophilus before and after surgery. Is this something I need to do and were do I get it? The vet said that she also won't require pain meds. I don't really feel comfortable with her not having any pain meds. Plus the girl who made the appointment said no food/water two hours before the surgery. Rabbits don't vomit so why does she need to not have food/water? Makes me feel like the vets office does not know what there talking about. Hubby and I are nervous.

 

[mrbunny]

I've read about acidophilus, too, for spays and neuters to ensure that the digestive system is functioning fine. I'm not sure about whether that is needed for your leg surgery, but I would be worried about the lack of pain meds for Fraggles.

As for fasting, rabbits never need to be fasted for surgeries.

Is it too late to get a second opinion?

Hopefully, somebody else can answer your question from here.

Hope Fraggles gets well soon after her surgery.

 

[I_heart_Fraggles]

I am totally willing to get the second opinion. The surgery is not a immediate emergency. Its a extra boney section off her knee that is putting pressure on the joint. When she hops you can hear a "pop pop" sound. I have noticed it since she was a kit. The girl that set the appointment said that rabbits don't need pain meds because they handle pain almost to the point of not feeling it which I KNOW is not true. Mind you this was just the front desk girl. But I am still considered about no pain meds. It just also makes me wary that they said no food/water. Makes me feel like they don't know she can't vomit and NEEDS to have her digestion moving at all times.

 

[mrbunny]

It's very good that you had alarms went off in your mind about the no food/water and no pain meds. That is what is important.

Call again, and ask the receptionist to check with the vet, because it could possibly be a mistake on the receptionist's part. However, I would think the receptionist should know this information already if the clinic itself has a significant amount of rabbit patients. (Please note this is just my opinion.)

Here are some links I found that may help if you need another rabbit vet:

http://www.rabbitmeadows.org/shelter/vets.asp?animal=1

http://rabbithaven.org/vets-emergencies/

 

[I_heart_Fraggles]

Thanks so much for the links. Tomorrow I am going to call and ask to speak to the vet personally. It just could be lack of knowledge on the desk girls part but I am going to ask some "loaded" questions about food/water. I also won't be letting them do the surgery if she is not going to be getting pain meds. I know they will think I am a "crazy rabbit lady" but she is just as valuable as a beloved dog or cat to me and my husband. But I will also be looking at these links. Thanks again.

 

[mrbunny]

Haha, I think it's best to be safe than sorry. I usually bring a list of questions for my vet visits (of minor questions, so I won't forget). Good luck with the surgery and the vet!

 

[Watermelons]

If you want to do something like acidophilus, get a rabbit specific pre and pro biotics. Human acidophilus only works on humans and species of chimp because were the only ones that have the peroper bacteria in our intestinal tract for it to work on.
It is not necessary for any animal going into surgery to receive this. As long as shes healty now, and eats well before and after the surgery there is no need for the pre/pro biotics.

If the clinic doesn't do alot of small animals the assistants may not know that you dont need to fast small animals. If they do lots of normal surgeries on cats on dogs its habbit to say (no food after 10pm the night before, water is okay... blah blah blah) You can get away with a lighter meal that evening/morning because the pre-meds they give them (usually its the hydro morphone) makes them quite nauseous and in dogs and cats its a great way to get them to vomit up that breakfast their owners still fed them despite being told not to, as well as making them nice and dopey.

I would definatly look into the pain meds, especially surgery on a joint like that, it's quite painful. I can understand none for a spay/neuter because most animals bounce back so fast it's not needed, and that may be another just like the food and water where their so used to cats/dogs (if this was the assistant that told you this) if its the vet.... Second oppinion.

Actually most osteo surgerys are done by specialists... well up here anyway... What is this surgery costing you if you dont mind me asking, I have a feeling this is going to be a situation where you get what you pay for, alot of vets shouldn't be doing specialized surgeries like this and yet they still do. Ahh...

Apologize for any bad spelling (I'm still in bed)

 

[tonyshuman]

I would get ProBios or BeneBac if you can. In some places, it is hard to get these veterinary probiotics, in which case using plain acidophilus is fine. The microorganism found in human probiotics is the same as one found in veterinary ones, but there are other microorganisms added to the probiotics I mentioned. It is good to give probiotics at any time when the bunny is undergoing stress (like a surgery) or has a GI abnormality, so it definitely would be a good thing.

She will need pain meds for sure--I would not be comfortable unless she has pain meds for at least 3 days following surgery.

The girl at the front desk may just have been telling you the typical things they say for cats and dogs and forgotten that, as a rabbit, the instructions for Fraggles will be different. Definitely do not withhold water or hay. Sometimes a little bit before it is ok to withhold hay because it can be stuck in the mouth or esophagus. Rabbits can expel food that hasn't gotten into the stomach yet.