Post-spaying

Question
Hi Dana

I wondered if I could ask you a few questions about spaying?  I have two rabbits about five months old - Bessie, a Rex and Anna, a Netherland Dwarf.  They have always been together and love each other to bits!  They live in a two-tiered hutch with a seperate sleeping compartment - the hutch is big, I keep in clean and they have plenty of things to chew and play with.  I try and let them in their run in the garden for at least an hour a day unless the weather is awful.  They are also litter-trained.

I have just bought them home from the vets from having them spayed and Anna went straight to the living compartment.  Bessie went downstairs and keeps going to the litter tray and has pooed a bit but then keeps going back and nothing seems to be coming out.  Neither of them are eating or drinking anything - I have put out loads of Timothy Hay and some grated carrot but they aren't touching it.  I know it's early days, they were only spayed at 11 am and it's now 3.50 pm but when should I start worrying?  

I haven't brought them in the house as my son is allergic to them but have a cover for the hutch and put towels and hay down for them - there is also a piece of carpet between the roof and the cover to keep the warmth in.

Am I expecting too much too soon?!

Please help, I need to put my mind at rest!

Thank you very much

Nicky x
UK

Answer
Dear Nicky,

A bunny will usually be inappetent for a day or two after being spayed, but you should try to encourage eating as soon as possible by tempting them with fresh, green herbs and other healthy treats. They generally will not even *want* naughty treats when they feel this way, so stick to the wet greens, and you'll probably have better luck,

I hope the vet gave them pain medication, because this is very important for swift recovery. Please call the vet today to ask about this, and get them some metacam, tramadol, or other analgesic that can get them over the worst of the discomfort.

If they don't start eating/pooping in the next day (expect a bit of mucus in the poop; that's not uncommon, but it should resolve in a day), then back to the vet for examination and possible treatment with intestinal motility drugs, as the vet deems necessary.

I hope this helps, and that both your girls recover without incident.

Dana