POST NEUTER PROBLEM

[clayfaery]

Basil came home from his neauter yesterday and he was doing fine now he's really scared if I come near his cage he freaks out and starts running around. Not in a yay kinda way . I've called the vet and they told me to put a towel over his cage and give him some peace and quiet to calm him down. And if he's still acting like this tomorrow to bring him back in. I'm really worried is this normal ? My last bunny didn't have any problems . Is there anything else i can do ?

I know one of his testicals is swollen and they told me to keep an eye on it ,make sure it dosen't swell any more and that some swelling is normal . I just gave him his pain meds for today . Maybe it's the stress ?

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Probably, and his testicle might be sore.
I know there are things you can do for that... Someone will come along who's had experience.... hang tight.

I changed your title to get you some help quicker..... hope it works.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

See if these items help you.....

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/opcare.html

and

http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=12041&forum_id=10

 

[tonyshuman]

When we had Benjamin nuetered, they recommended putting an ice pack wrapped in a towel on his genitals for 10 min 2-3 times a day to keep swelling down. It sounds like he's very agitated, and probably in pain. The towel on the cage and peace and quiet is a good idea, but he may be doing this because he is very upset and not in a good place. Try to ice him, calmly pet him. If he continues to be upset it sounds like he needs to see a vet right away. Being this agitated is a big warning sign.

I'm glad you're giving pain meds. What is it? Metacam?

I would ice him and hold him gently and try to be comforting. Some bunnies will put their head over the ears of their friend bunnies as a way to comfort them--I do this with my guys to calm them down too. Just put your hand on top of his ears and speak softly to him, telling him it'll be ok. Please let us know if he continues to act crazy.

 

[Flashy]

Has anything else changed in his world other than his neuter? Like is he recovering in a different place from normal? Or any new additions to the house? Or been separated from a friend due to his neuter? Or maybe even something as simple as you changing your perfume/spray or something like that?

I agree that it's probably his neuter, just thought I might ask outside the box.

 

[tonyshuman]

wanted to add that "flipping out" is not a good reaction and if you can't get him to calm down in a few hours I'd take him back in to the vet. good luck

 

[clayfaery]

He's calmed down ,and is now sitting quietly in a corner of the cage . He's still a rather new bunny. We had him home for two weeks before his neuter . One of my neighbors was also using a leaf blower so i think that sound added to his stress .

He's taking Metacam.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Aww I bet that did scare him! and just everything going on.

 

[krsbunny]

I would be interested in knowing what anesthesia your vet used -- isoflurane or sevoflurane? I have heard both good and bad about Sevo (which is newer, more expensive,and therefore some clinics are being urged to switch to). I vaguely recall having heard others talk of bunnies thrashing about as they are waking up (I knowBasil's reactionwas later). Could just be Basil's reaction to finishing the clearing of anesthesia from the system.

Kathy

 

[tonyshuman]

Metacam is an anti-inflammatory as well as an analgesic, so it should help bring swelling down as well. Glad he's calmed down a bit, but keep an eye on him.

 

[clayfaery]

I will !

 

[Pipp]

What is his cage set up like? Does he have a 'hidey box?' Bunnies, especially those in strange places with strange beings who recently caused them pain (their view) really need their own 'safe' place with a roof and walls. I always give mine a cardboard box with a hole cut in it and sometimes a small back exit, and it's their territory. I'll never reach in there. It's their sanctuary.

Hope the poor little guy settles down. Tiny treats are always good. (I use single flakes of oats or bits of apple). I really don't recommend holding or petting him though. Some rabbits will view holding and petting as torture, they view it as predatory. Initially most do -- the firm grasp is scary, their 'about to be eaten' instincts kick in. I'll hold my rabbits (on the ground) only until they struggle and then I let them go. That way they eventually learn to enjoy it rather than just put up with it. They have some control, it builds confidence.


sas :bunnydance:

 

[ra7751]

Hi,

Any idea what pain meds were given PRE-op? Someold school vets do not use pre-op analgesics. Post-op, Metacam is better than nothing but I always insist on a narcotic aspect after any surgery. Buprenorphine is by far the best but Tramadol is an acceptable alternative. Metacam will help with any inflammation. I also agree with your vet....keep him confined and cover him. That is standard procedure when we have a recovering surgery (same for emergency triage).

Stress could be a part of the issue here along with pain. Buprenorphine will help sedate.....or a little injection of valium is what we use to calm admissions to our rescue. Valium is a wonderful thing.

As far as the question regarding Iso or Sevo as the anesthesia....that should be totally irrelevent if administered by a skilled vet. I have sedated baby cottontails (as small as 35g), domestic rabbits, squirrels, opossums,degus, dogs, cats, birds....pretty much all of them. Iso has traditionally been the gas of choice for rabbits. Personally, I like Sevo much better and most of the top end vets are transitioning over to this inhalent. The effects are much quicker....and more important, the rebound time is much faster without excessive drowsiness. One of my vets (this particular vet is one of the best in the country with exotics and avian and is a teaching vet) first introduced us to Sevo a couple of years ago. Our first experience was with a dental surgery....and we were impressed and have continued to be impressed with this anesthesia with each use. I have no problem with Iso, Sevo or injectables...but if I havea choice when using a gas, it will be Sevo. In the real world, horror stories regarding anesthesia are usually related more to the skills (or lack)of the doctor than a problem with the drug. While there is risk in any medical procedure, I no longer "sweat bullets" during surgeries.

And justa note from personal experiences....usually late in the second day into early tht fourth day after surgery is the most uncomfortable.

Randy

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Anxious to hear how he's doing now.

 

[clayfaery]

I see your in NC , are you talking about Avian and exotic ? That where I brought him. I have no idea what they gave him pre op , though I'm pretty sure they gave him something {it's written down somewhere}

Right now he's eatting and laying around and grooming as usual. I'm starting to think it was a combination of stress from the leaf blower outside and it was time to give him his meds . We live in a 76 year old house that has poor insulation.. this means we hear everything outside .

 

[Maureen Las]

It's good to hear that he's better .

 

[ra7751]

Hi,

If you are talking about Dr. Dan and crew....I do know them and have used them and taken animals from them. Myteaching vets are Dr. Diane Deresienski at Bowman Animal Hospitalin Raleigh and Dr. Lauren Powers at Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Huntersville (Charlotte). If you are in the Raleigh area....Dr. Jennifer Hummel at Rolesville Animal Hospital in Rolesville is a fantastic doctor with tons of experience in exotics and avian. She is also one of my volunteers.....and I am on the board of directors at her mother's animal education farm. She provides the best in care and at a much better price than the clinics in the immediate Raleigh area.

If you did use A&E, I can assure you they followed proper procedures in all aspects of your visit. They have a great team there.

And if you are in the Raleigh area....come out to the Piedmont Wildlife Center open houseon March 1st.....I will be there to assist. And one of my rabbits will be participating. She is a "body double" for a cottontail. Very few know she isn't a true cottontail. She even fooled the staff at the center as she was admitted as a cottontail.

Randy