Rabbit Thumping

[lisamarie7]

Hi i recently got my female 9month old rabbit spayed. Before that She was the only rabbit and she used to love coming up to me and getting pats. I then got a male and within the month they had bonded but i didn't want babies so i decided to get her spayed. Its been about 3 weeks since the surgery and she now doesn't want to come up to me she runs away to the top story of her hutch then thumps!

Is this just a post surgery behavior or will i have to work on getting her trust back? I dont understand why shes reacting this way i was told rabbits become less aggressive after being de-sexed not more.

 

[Azerane]

Running away and thumping is not an aggressive behaviour, it's a fearful behaviour. Did you handle her much in the week after her surgery? I ask because I thought that if maybe you had tried to hold her in that time period, that you may have inadvertently hurt her surgery sight so maybe now she's wary of being touched by you. Give her a bit more time, and work with her. Spend time down at her level, just laying on the floor and eventually curiosity will win out and she'll come to check you out. It helps if you have treats too Just keep trying and don't give up, I'm sure she's probably just a little scared from after the surgery still.

 

[PaGal]

Have you changed anything about yourself as far as smell goes? A different shampoo or perfume. Maybe a different laundry detergent. They say that can affect a bun.

You may have to work at getting her more comfortable with you again. Sit in the same room as her. Talk to her or even read out loud in the same room. Offer a treat when she comes near, even pellets can work.

Also keep in mind that the hormones can take a while to get out of the system.

 

[lisamarie7]

Thanks heaps for both your help! I did handle her as i had to check the surgery site and i noticed that she was developing a lump so i took her back to the vet. Thankfully it was just fluid and it has gone down now. I hate to think I've hurt her

Ill definetly try all those things she loves apples so ill try that too

Im not sure about my smell cause i wear different perfumes and use different detergent all the time so i guess that could be it too. Maybe ill try not putting on perfume for a bit.

 

[Azerane]

Don't worry about if you hurt the site a little, it does have to be checked to see if it's healing well, and it is difficult to hold a rabbit with a surgical site in that area.

The scent thing is a good thought, Bandit seems to be fine with everything of mine except for my hand moisturiser, he hates that stuff, so if I'm going to put it on, I always put it on after I've handled or fed him.