Before you bring your rabbit in for surgery, and after you bring your bunny home, there are a few things that you can do to improve your rabbits health and speed of recovery.
Physical Examination
Make sure your rabbit is examined by your veterinarian prior to surgery. Rabbits can conceal disease, such as airway infections, that may cause complications during and after their procedure.
Your vet will make sure your rabbit is the gender you think it is! It is common for rabbit gender to be confused at a young age, this is especially important for desexing!
Your rabbits teeth should be checked to make sure they are wearing down their teeth with a high fibre diet. This should be composed of hay, green leafy vegetables and few to no pellets and grains.
Diet
If your rabbit’s diet is full of high fibre, low carbohydrate foods, then they will have an active healthy gut which will minimise complications during surgery.
An ideal diet includes
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Hay 80%
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Leafy Green Vegetables 20%
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Pellets/Fruits/Grains 0% – or a maximum 1 tablespoon daily
On the day
Please bring a “lunch box” of your rabbit’s regular foods, bedding and toys. This will help your bunny feel less stressed and will encourage them to eat before and after their procedure.
Your vet will examine your rabbit to make sure he or she is healthy enough to undergo surgery. This may include taking a small blood sample for assessing:
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Blood glucose – to ensure your bunny has the energy stores to stay warm and keep their gut active throughout their hospitalisation
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PCV (Red blood cell count) and Protein levels – this makes sure your bunny has enough red blood cells to supply their gut and muscles with oxygen, and that they aren’t losing protein through inmmation or infection.
Depending on the results of the physical examination or these tests, your vet may recommend a comprehensive blood test and iv fluids to ensure your bunny stays healthy and has the highest quality of care through their procedure. Please discuss blood tests and iv fluids with your vet on the day.
After the surgery
Monitor your rabbit closely for the first 24 hours to make sure the he or she is;
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Eating
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Toileting
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Not licking or chewing the surgical site (if applicable)
If your bunny is not eating, it’s important that you syringe feed a food supplement such as Oxbow critical care and contact your vet ASAP.
When your rabbit is eating and toileting normally, keep them warm, clean and watch them closely through the post operative period and take greet care of your furry friend!
Exotics Vets 