Rabbit spay. Aftercare and what to expect?

Keep them in neighbouring pens so they can still all see each other while they heal - there is a risk they'll try and "clean" each other's wounds which may pull out stitches!

They will be quiet at first but a good vet should hopefully keep them under their observation and not allow them to leave the surgery until they are fully awake, not groggy, and have been seen to eat, drink, pee and poo! Ask your vets if they will do this as it certainly saves shipping a sick bunny straight back to the vets if they're not fully recovering the next day!

A good vet will also NOT put a cone on a rabbit unless they have been seen to be far too interested in their own wound. Cones panic rabbits as they cannot see around them (meaning they're more likely to try and bite you in the panic), it also means they struggle to eat and cannot eat their caecotrophs (soft poos) either - meaning a mucky bum for you to clean up! I saw one illinformed vet who not only put a cone on, but tied it so tight it was almost choking the rabbit with no padding around the plastic either!

Have a good chat with your vet about what that particular vet's practice will do for post spay aftercare. Every practice will be a bit different and some may be good and send you home with Critical Care and some painkillers.

I always get my rabbits spayed and they quickly get over it. It is a good idea to replace there woodshavings with shreddered paper for a few days and as normal clean out everyday. When they come home they maybe alittle sleepy and will want to be left alone just check on them now and again. They can eat normal and you don't have to starve them the night before like dogs and cats as rabbits can't throw up. Mine have never need buster collars as they never seem to bother their stitches and a collar can upset them and stop them eating which you don't want. They vet will have given them a long acting antibotic and pain relief and the day after the surgery they will be 90% back to old self and day after that 100% normal. The vet will always send you home with any aftercare advice and they are always at the end of the phone if you are worried about anything.

They will probably feel very groggy for the first day and will be very quiet and it is probably best to give them their own space to recover. Keep them housed on something soft like fleece and towels so as not to irritate the wound and keep them nice and warm and comfy. Encourage them to eat as SOON as they get home to make sure their digestive tract doesn't shut down. Give them a pile of hay and pellets and a favourite treat to choose from and water. Try your best to get them to eat. Don't let them be too active incase they irritate or tear the wound from hoping around. Check the wounds every day to make sure they are clean and healing. You should be given painkillers by your vet for the few days after the operation. If not ask your vet for some. If you have any worries or questions ask your vet, it's what they are there for.