Pre- and post-surgery care for your rabbit Reprinted in part courtesy House Rabbit Society, Alameda, CA and Washington House Rabbit Society, Redmond, WA By following these simple tips, you can improve your surgery-bound rabbit’s chances of a speedy recovery.

Thanks for planning ahead.

Prior to Surgery

• When you decide upon surgery of any kind, schedule it for a time when you know you will be around to observe and care for your rabbit. However, keep in mind that your vet’s office may not be open on a weekend - emergency clinics frequently do not have a vet on duty who is familiar with rabbits.
• Do not fast your rabbit prior to surgery. This is a common misconception. Many veterinary personnel are unknowingly giving incorrect instructions to their clients with rabbits. This is because dogs and cats often experience post-anesthesia vomiting. If the vet conveying this information insists on fasting your rabbit prior to surgery, find another vet.
• Rabbits cannot aspirate (vomit) like cats and dogs, so there is no need to remove food.
• It can take several days for a rabbit’s gastrointestinal tract to totally empty. Therefore, fasting prior to surgery is not practical nor is it beneficial. This is due in part to the fact that even if you remove your rabbit’s food, they will continue to reingest their cecal pellets.
• Rabbits will recover from surgery faster is they are allowed to continue eating until just before they are anesthetized. This prevents interruption of the gastrointestinal processes.
• A pre-operative blood panel is recommended for rabbits over 2 years old to check liver enzymes, kidney functions, and cell blood counter (CBC). A blood panel may alert your veterinarian to potential problems which may have otherwise gone unsuspected. A blood panel on a young rabbit will also establish "healthy" baseline information from which to work should your rabbit become ill in the future.

Post Operative Care

• After any type of surgery, it’s desirable to get a rabbit to eat again as soon as possible. This is to prevent an interruption in the digestive processes that might throw off the balance of intestinal flora. Therefore, introduce food immediately upon returning home. One of the best things to feed your rabbit is alfalfa. The leaves are rich in digestible protein and nutrients and the stems provide fiber which aids in the mechanics of digestion. Also offer a variety of favorite vegetables and fruit treats. If not eaten right away, leave them overnight. Most of the time they will have been eaten by morning.
• Monitor water consumption to make sure your rabbit does not become dehydrated. If s/he seems reluctant to drink, try adding a little apple juice to the water. Or, consider replacing the water with Pedialyte, which contains electrolytes to help prevent shock.
• Keep your rabbit in a quiet room, away from noisy children or other stressful situations for a day or two following surgery. Provide a clean cage even for the rabbit who is normally uncaged. It will provide a safe haven from children or other pets. And it is a place where s/he can easily be observed for any changes. You will be able to monitor how your rabbit is eating and eliminating. If you normally keep a litterbox in the cage, remove it temporarily. This will prevent irritation or possible infection of the sutures. Offer a towel or soft bedding to sit on.
• Try not to lift and handle your rabbit except to check sutures. Expect that your rabbit will be feeling some discomfort and will not be their usual perky, inquisitive self. Do spend lots of time petting, comforting and letting him/her know you understand their discomfort.
• Keep in mind that individual rabbits vary in their recovery periods. Consult your veterinarian if after 24 hours your rabbit does not eat or drink. This is a potentially life-threatening situation.
• Return to your vet on the agreed-upon date for suture removal if dissolvable sutures or surgical glue were not used. Don’t forget!