preparing for vet- pre-op neutering?

[PwnzorsNTittylwinks]

My big guy is going into the vet tomorrow night, and being neutered wednesday morning.
I called 5 different vets to find a price i was comfortable with and then called different vets to get a referral. I found a vet i can afford, and the vet himself owns a giant rabbit.
I called today and was able to get him for wednesday.
What should I do to prepare him for the operation? do you have to not feed a rabbit like you do with dogs/cats?
the nurse didnt say much, but im guessing that since they are keeping him the night before that if they dont feed him it will be during that time.
they are keeping him the night before because in order to take him to a vet with rabbit experience I needed to travel out of town and its easier for me to take him the night before since wednesday I will be in my exams all day.

Im just worried about my baby i dont know why! just pet owner nerves i guess? I want him to be as comfortable as possible. before and after. I have his pet carrier on the floor and open so when he is out he can explore it and get comfortable with it before he has to go in it tomorrow.

do rabbits get cones of shame after a neuter?
right now there is no ramp to the second level of his cage (his favorite spot is on the second level), should i put a ramp up to discourage big jumps or can the stitches handle those?

aghh im so nervous :lookaround

 

[Bunnylova4eva]

Big thing: Do NOT fast your rabbit before a neuter. Bunnies are unable to vomit so that is not a worry. It is not safe to fast them like you would other animals. Definitly check the vet out more to be sure they aren't planning to fast him.

 

[Imbrium]

as Mia said, do NOT fast your rabbit.

if you happen to have some probiotics, it's never a bad idea to give some before surgery.

you definitely need to pack your rabbit some meals - dinner veggies if you want, a serving or two of pellets and a decent amount of hay so that the vet can feed him the brands/types he's accustomed to.

cones of shame are rare and should be avoided if at all possible.

you'll need to rearrange his cage or throw together a little temp cage (I made mine with spare NIC grids) so that there's nowhere for him to jump and he has minimal running around space. when I talked to my vet about size of the recovery cage, I asked about a 2Wx3Lx1H NIC cage and he said it was a perfect size. I felt bad keeping them in something so small, but it's what's best for them.

 

[PwnzorsNTittylwinks]

We have his old cage (we just built him a 2x3x2 cage this weekend) should we just keep him in that cage until he's recovered? Or will taking out the second level of the 2x3 be alright?.

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

It is important to not fast him before surgery. Since he is spending the night before the surgery at the vet, you need to make sure they know that rabbits can have food before surgery. Going that long (possibly 24 hours) without food is not good for a rabbit and can be quite dangerous and lead to GI stasis. You should provide pellets, hay and veggies from home since that is what he is used to eating. If he has to spend the night after surgery at the vet as well, make sure to pack lots of food so there is enough.

Rabbits should not need a cone. It can stress them out more which means they are less likely to eat. They also can't eat their cecotropes or groom themselves. Most rabbits will leave the incision alone anyway. Unless your rabbit has a problem and won't leave it along, a cone is not needed.

It would be best to block off the level while he heals. Jumping up needs to be avoided and ramps should be avoided as well. Males generally heal in about 7-10 days, so after that he should be ok, but ask the vet to be sure. He should be ok in a 2X3 grid cage.

Make sure to get some pain medication for him. Some vets don't give any for males, but I would still give some. It is a surgery and there can be pain afterwards. Even though there can be an injection given at the vet, it doesn't last too long. A few days of pain medication is better than nothing. A rabbit who is not feeling the pain should start eating sooner.

 

[missyscove]

Agreed on not fasting rabbits before surgery. They (like horses) are physically unable to vomit and so do not need to be fasted. It's best for their digestive systems if they have food available at all times. I also second the pain med suggestion, especially if you're having to go a distance to get to your vet; I'd much rather have them on board.

 

[PwnzorsNTittylwinks]

I was able to arrange it so that I can take him tommorow morning now instead of having to bring him tonight, they told me to bring food for him from home for after the surgery and ill be able to bring him home tomorrow evening!: )
excited but still so nervous!

 

[JBun]

Oh, I'm glad. That seems like it will be better for your bun. The overnight thing worries me with rabbits, cause it can stress them so much, and get them sick.

It'll be over with before you know it and he'll be back to his usual self .

 

[Imbrium]

We have his old cage (we just built him a 2x3x2 cage this weekend) should we just keep him in that cage until he's recovered? Or will taking out the second level of the 2x3 be alright?.

removing the second level of the NIC cage should be just fine - my girls recovered in 2x3x1 pens and considering they stretched out length-wise quite a bit, I don't think there's really any difference between 2 grids high and 1 grids high.

 

[PwnzorsNTittylwinks]

removing the second level of the NIC cage should be just fine - my girls recovered in 2x3x1 pens and considering they stretched out length-wise quite a bit, I don't think there's really any difference between 2 grids high and 1 grids high.

I just got back from picking him up from the vets office they told me he did wonderfully and he doesnt have any stitches because of the way they removed them left two very small incisions ( they showed them to me, i was amazed how small they were, i dont know how they got anything out of them!) he seems great just a little bit lazy. hes very confused where his second level went but i made sure to put some soft area on the first level to make up for it.
thank you guys for all you advice!!

 

[Imbrium]

I'm glad everything went smoothly! he should be back to himself and begging to get out of the cage in no time