Post-spaying care questions

[Imbrium]

I've got some questions about housing for my bunns after they're spayed.

their appointment is in a week, and so far no fights which means (*knock on wood*) it looks like I shouldn't have to separate them pre-spaying and keep them apart for a few weeks until the hormones die down.

I'll be locking them out of the upper levels of the condo... in fact, I've already done so because the condo is their safe place and I figured being locked out full-time would be mildly stressful for them. I want them to be acclimated to that change and done being stressed out by it before they have their surgeries instead of having to make the adjustment afterward. I'll also be taking all the toys they can climb/jump on out of the cage while they're at the vet.

I plan to separate them with a basic divider for probably 1-4 days... basically, however long it takes to confirm that they're both back to eating, drinking and pooping normally since I can't monitor those things as effectively when they're sharing food and litter boxes.

how limited does their space need to be? they currently have 100+ square feet penned off even without condo access; I know I need to make it smaller for the first week so they're not tempted to bunny-500 around the whole thing, but how much smaller?

is there anything else I haven't thought of to make sure they have a safe environment to recover in?

 

[agnesthelion]

Gosh, I kept Agnes confined to just the bottom level of her 2 deep 3 wide NIC cage. I didn't want her to be able to do much more than hop a couple times to the litterbox. And for the first day she didn't move much anyway.

I guess I don't know the exact number but I remember my vet saying don't let her even get several hops in a row in, ya know? They may feel better in a couple days but don't want them to push things too far and tear their stitches.

Really, the hardest part was keeping Agnes confined. She would look at me like I was nuts not letting her out everyday! I felt so bad but I'm glad I did it. She healed so well and no complications.

How great they haven't fought! Sounds like they will stay bonded through this whole thing. Will they still be able to see each other while they are separated so as not to break their bond?

 

[Imbrium]

yeah, I'll put two playpens side by side... close enough they could groom or w/e through the bars. I could lock them in the bottom floor of the condo, I just feel really bad sticking two bunns in a 2x3x1 NIC enclosure.

 

[ldoerr]

I would not feel bad about keeping them in a 2x3 divided NIC cage for a week. I kept rabbits in cages that size for years and those rabbits did not get out to run ever. They might complain a little bit but it is for their own good. It will only be for a week as well. I also would not let them out of their cages to hop around for at LEAST a week after their spays. I think that they will be fine. Good luck.

 

[earsnted]

hope all goes well with the surgeries, let me know how it goes, as we are planning to get our buns fixed within the next month!

good luck!

 

[holtzchick]

Yes, I also hope all goes well with the surgeries! I just dropped Phoenix off at the vet about an hour ago, I'm going to go NUTS if I don't hear from the vet soon.... My stomach is in my throat lol.... Poor thing, I saw in the invoice they are giving her an e-collar anyways.... Also, I made her enclosure 3x2x1 grids as well so maybe you should make one of those for each bunny if you have the space. I also bought a rug at the dollar store and zip tied it to the bottom of the cage for some soft texture and zip tied the litter box to the cage. I cut down one side of the litter box so there is absolutely no jumping!

 

[gmas rabbit]

Just had my daughter's rabbit Elmira spayed on Wed. She is a mature rabbit so they gave her intervenous and kept her overnight. Their recommendation was no major jumping or hopping for 14 days. Sounds extreme, but will see how she heals. I am sure your little bunny will come through with flying colours.The waiting is the hardest.