unfriendly spayed rabbit

Question
Hello Kiersten

I was hoping that you could help me with this as it's really worrying me. I bought a female rabbit about 3 months ago (she is now about 7-8 months) and she was really really friendly from the start. She would follow me everywhere, if I sat down she'd sit on my lap, she'd chase me and would be happy for me to cuddle her and pick her up whenever I wanted to. It was so easy to groom her and she was a fantastic pet. However, she had a few negative behaviours that I wanted to stamp out, such as she constantly chewed the curtains and carpets, and would sometimes spray urine up the walls and urinate on the carpet. Also, I'd noticed her nest building and she was pulling out the fur on the back of her neck, which eventually led to a skin infection since she'd tugged at the fur so aggressively. I'd also read a lot about the benefits of having her spayed - I knew it would decrease the risk of cancer plus she'd be less prone to her naughty behaviours and would supposedly be a lot more friendly. However, since I've had her spayed (which was about 6 weeks ago)she hasn't wanted anything to do with me. She will let me stroke her for a few seconds but will then make it clear that's enough - she will under no circumstances let me pick her up and if I do she bites which she never ever did before. The vet has given her a clean bill of health, the op was a success so I really don't know why she's behaving the way she is. I wish that I had never got her spayed now because she's gone from being a fantastic pet to being an animal that I can't get anywhere near. I thought having her spayed would make her more friendly. Would you be able to tell me why she is behaving this way and what I can do to make her like me again? I've tried temping her with food but nothing seems to work. for a couple of days after her operation I left her alone and only stroked her - I wonder if because I didn't pick her up a lot over the week after her operation, whether she's not used to it anymore? I really don't know, so if you could give me some advice I'd be very grateful.

Many thanks

Elicia

Answer
Hi, this is very unusual behavior becuase rabbits normally are completly the oppisite of yours. For the chewing problem you should spray "sour apple" which is a spray that prevents house animals from chewing on things.  You can buy this at a local pet shop.  The only thing I can say about her behavior is to keep on trying and things might get better.  There is really no telling in what your rabbit is going to be like after a surgery and somtimes they change dramatticly but here is really nothing you can do about it.  Thanks, Kiersten.