Bonding after surgery

[erinmoveit]

Peanut is literally eating herself out of her home. She is chewing everything (even though she has plenty of chews and toys). She is destroying her new hutch. She is ready to have more space (which will be available when Stark and Peanut can meet).

I am scheduled to have the two spayed/neutered on Friday. Peanut is 4 months old and Stark is approximated at 8-9 months. How long after the surgery can the two meet?

Also, I have gone through neuters before. It doesn't seem to invasive. I am curious about the healing process with spays. What is "normal" behavior to look for following?

I am really anxious for these two to meet.

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

Waiting until both are healed would be best, but you can wait a bit longer for the hormones to go down a bit. 2 weeks would be enough for the healing, but hormones can take up to 6-8 weeks. You know your rabbits, so should have a good idea on when they are acting a bit different.

Spays are more invasive than neutered, but don't really take too long to heal. They may feel a bit off for a couple days after, but as long as they are eating and pooping then they should be ok. Pain meds are a very good idea to help the feel better and start eating sooner. They are usually back to normal within a couple days and should be healed around 10-14 days after.
How a rabbit reacts to the spay/neuter does depend on their personalty. An outgoing rabbit who adjusts well to new situations tends to bounce back quicker than a more reserved or nervous rabbit.

 

[erinmoveit]

How long should I avoid handling? I guessing it's a good idea to leave them (specifically her) alone for a while? Buck bounced right back and acted as if it never even affected him.

Now when we mention hormones, does that refer to their territorial and mating desires or to the potential to reproduce? Meaning, how long after the surgery is there no longer a risk of her becoming pregnant.

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

You should check the incision daily (or twice daily) and may need to handle her to give pain mediation, but other handing should be kept to a minimum. If you do have to handle her, be careful and try to avoid stretching out her belly too much.

Hormones with regard to after spay/neuter is a combination of wanting to mate, being territorial and general unwanted behaviours. The ability to reproduce is eliminated right away with females, but can take 4-8 weeks with males. With males, the testicles are removied, but there can still be viable sperm in the tubes, so while there is no more being produced what is there needs time to die. She would not be able to get pregnant right away, but he could still get a female pregnant.
The other hormones with the same as the sperm, while there is no more being produced from those parts, there is still some in the body that needs to work its way out. Behaviours associated with these hormones can take a few weeks to go away. These behaviours can range from spraying, excessive humping, circling, poor litter habits, acting territorial around the cage and others.