After Spayed

Question
My female house rabbit Dusty was spayed yesterday and since
she as been home she sits in the corner of the room for hours and doesnt want alot of contact with us.Is their any advice you can give me thank you for your time.

Answer
Dear Glenn,

It's normal for Dusty to be miserable and in pain after major surgery, which a spay certainly is.  I hope the vet gave her pain medication; please do ask about that.  If she is still showing signs of extreme pain (hunching in a corner, not moving, not eating) within 24 hours of the surgery, she needs pain medication, and probably a re-check by the vet.

Please read:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/opcare.html

to find out what you can do pre- and post-operatively to make her recovery as smooth as possible.  The article explains how to get her to eat a bit, which will make her feel better, and how to keep her comfortable while the inflammation and pain subside.

If you are not sure the vet who did the surgery is experienced with rabbits, and Dusty is still very sore by now, then you might want to get a second opinion, especially if the vet who did the surgery refuses pain medication.  Please find a vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

I hope Dusty will be better soon.  A bunny usually starts to perk up by the third day after surgery, but she should start eating within a few hours of surgery for best recovery.

I hope this helps.

Dana