bunny neutering

Question
Hi Pam
I'm looking for some advice. We are having our 5 month and 2 week old female mini lop neutered next Tuesday. We also have a castrated male dwarf lop. I know that you should keep them apart after the operation incase he mounts her as it can cause internal damage but how long should they be separated for? also do you have any tips on the best way to care for her afterwards as I've never nursed a bunny after surgery (our male was a rescue bun and was already spayed). many thanks Emma

Answer
Hi Emma

You are going to want to keep them separate for a whole month.  Then you are probably going to need to re-bond them.  The best thing to do is to give her a nice safe and quiet place to rest.  Make sure she is eating and drinking.  Give her plenty of fresh hay both to rest on and so she can nibble while she is resting.  For the first few days make sure the water is close enough to her so that she doesn't have to hop around to much.  She is going to be in tremendous pain but the vet should give you some medication for the pain.  

As long as she has a soft bed to lay on and she can reach her food she should be fine.  If she doesn't eat within the first 24 hours but is at least nibbling on hay and drinking water she should be ok.  If you notice that she isn't eating at all you will probably have to take her back to the vet so that they can show you how to syringe feed her.  Most vets will send you home an instruction sheet on the proper care.

As for the boy you want to keep him in a cage near hers so that he can continue to smell her and look at her.  After a few days you can put them right next to each other so that they can nose kiss right through the cages.  After a few weeks you can let them out for supervised visits only.  If they are not getting along or you think he is going to hurt her then separate them immediately.  If you do have to re-bond them you will want to do it in neutral territory.  I like to use the bathtub because they have never been in there and it is difficult for them to charge each other.  I usually sit in there with them but my bathtub is huge.  As long as you are right there to separate them if trouble occurs you should be ok.  Keep a spray bottle handy so if they look like they are going to fight you can stop them.  Usually a spray in the face will cause them to stop and groom themselves.

If anything happens or you need more help then please let me know.

I hope the surgery goes well.

Pam

Thats perfect.  Then when she is feeling better you can put them a little closer together so hopefully they will keep their bond.

Good luck!!!