spaying question

My vet has said that once Florence is 16 weeks old and weighs 1kg she can be spayed. She now fits this criteria.

I am really nervous about having her have a GA as one of my bridge bunnies died during one, but I know it has to be done.

I have to ring and make a check up appointment for her before she gets booked in but I've been thinking, is there an "ideal" day to get her booked in on? Originally I was thinking I'd book her in on a Friday, so I'd have the weekend with her, but I'm now thinking that might be really stupid, because if she did get complications and have to stay in the vet\go back it would cost me more over the weekend.

Any thoughts\advice on what to do would be welcome, because quite honestly I'm terrified about the whole thing.

Youre not alone, I think everyone worries about this, and it is a worrying thing, but actually, GA's have improved so much that only a tiny % of buns have trouble with it.

I'm sure you know that you'll need a respite area, indoors, cage or penned area for a few day afterwards, and her movement should be limited for a couple of days (someone will be able to advise better on this).

I would talk to your vet about your concerns re: appointment, and take their advice. If you could get an early a.m. appt, (any week day) then leave her there all day, any complications can be addressed, and they'll prob want her in for a while to make sure she eats etc.

It's hard, but try not to worry, your vets will have seen this many times, and I'm sure they can discuss it with you

Having a bun (or any other animal!) going for a GA is a worrying time, you are not alone there

I think if it were me, I would have it done on a Wednesday or Thursday and take some holidays from work so I could keep an eye on her recovery. If it was done Wednesday, I'd take Thursday and Friday off, if done Thursday, I'd take Friday off. Then I would have the weekend with her too.

I appreciate that not everyone is in a position to take time off and may work weekends - this would just be my preferred way

I hope you manage to sort something out

I have got a couple of days annual leave I can take so that might be a good idea.

She has an indoor pen/cage but I think I've read somewhere that you can't use any bedding in it, is that right? Only she doesn't really eat hay from the hay rack, only the floor so I'm a bit worried about that! Is just newspaper best for her?
There is a little fan heater next to it so I can turn that on to keep her warm.

Thinking a Thursday might be a good way around it, I'm getting scared just typing about it! Poor girlie.

I would put a towel down, some people use vet bed if they have it, but a nice plumped up towel will be fine - you need to make her as comfortable as possible, bearing in mind that whatever you do, she will be ecxperiencing a fair amount of discomfort.

Keeping her warm is good, but ig you have the heating on already, that shoudl be fine, Buns are meant to be cool, and suffer in heat, so a direct heat source may stress her out rather than help. Room temp should be fine.

Thanks guys! I'm plucking up the courage to call the vet to make her pre-spay appointment for next week.

I really want it done this year as they have a half price spay/neuture offer on until the end of the year so it'll only cost me £40. I'd obviously have paid the £80, but I see no point in waitin, and I might as well take advantage of the discount!

I think I'd go for a Weds or Thurs and as Thumper said, maybe have a couple of days off if possible. I wouldn't fancy doing it on a Friday, as if any problem did crop up it's harder/more expensive to see a vet at the weekend.

Pre-spay check up now booked for Thursday.

I feel so guilty that I'm putting her in for an operation. I know its for her health but I feel so bad, I guess that's partly because of what it is and I know its quite a biggie. I've had bunnies not eat after a GA too, so I know I have that stress to come!

So happy I can come on here and talk about it though.

Another odd question, how much fur do they shave off to do the op? I always feel mean when they have the bald patch as it looks so sore so hoping it isn't much!

i was a nervous wreck when i had my girls done but everything went perfect,like you i didnt want it done on a friday for "just incase" so i had them done on a monday,they were a bit groggy when i brought them home and they had they had the face on with me but on the second day,spike was up to her normal naughty self and on the 6th day they went back outside.

i have got a pic of mine with the bold patch,i will find the pic out for you

they wasnt bothered by it at all and i gave them there fav' treats and food

Aww bless them!!!

Thumper's fur never properly grew back. Some of it did but she has little patches where it's never grown back fully.

Awww their patches did look sore. Thanks for sharing those. Poor girls, although they sound like they were bothered!

Parsley seems to be fave food at the moment so I'll make sure I have plenty at the ready. I'm guessing it'll probably be the week after next so i'll have plenty of time to panic more. I'm going to have to make sure someone drops her off with me, as knowing me I'll start sobbing!

I totally know what you mean, you feel so guilty and mean for putting them through a neuter. The old saying 'cruel to be be kind' fits the situtation really, you just have to try and grin and bear it and afterwards you will be so relieved and glad it's done. x

No matter what the animal or human, GA is alwasy a small risk, but there are very view cases these days where something has gone wrong. Her nature will benifet from it tho, she will be much calmer.

JoeyBunsMum wrote:I totally know what you mean, you feel so guilty and mean for putting them through a neuter. The old saying 'cruel to be be kind' fits the situtation really, you just have to try and grin and bear it and afterwards you will be so relieved and glad it's done. x

That's exactly it. If it was an op for teeth, or something really essential I wouldn't think twice, but this is sort of optional. I know it's not because of health benefits, but I can't get that out of my mind.

Now I just want it over and done with. I've made the first step of getting her the pre-spay check up. Now it's just getting a date for the actual op, and I'll have a few sleepless nights leading up to it.

I'm such a softie.

I would book her in for the beginning of the week, then have a couple of days off with her, by then she will be feeling better and you can go back to work. If there are any problems, you still can get a vet before the weekend.

I've had two does neutered and both times it was very smooth. They went in first thing in the morning and I picked them up after work. Both buns were round from the GA and a bit quieter than normal. I kept them inside in a quiet place with lots of their favourite foods and water and let them recovery. They are usually fairly back to normal by Day 3. I keep mine inside for a week until I know that the bun has recovered and there are no complications.

You are doing the best for her but I can understand how worrying this is.

Its such a worry putting a bun in to have something done that you choose for them to do.

Remember though you are doing this for her long term health. I get myself in a tiz every time daisy has a GA (and he has them a lot). Lots of love, peace and quiet, lots of treats to get her eating and she will be fine hun.

Its a good idea to take out any sawdust and like jay said pop in a fluffy towel for her.

She's booked in for next Wednesday I wasn't expecting it to be so soon. I was nearly in tears in the car on the way back

Claws are also being done while she's under as vet thought that would be less stressful for her.

I'm going to see if I can work at home on Thursday then have Friday off. She needs to go in 2 days after and then 10. TBH the £41 is an absolute bargain as it included today, plus the two after visits and some Metacam.

I feel so upset about it now I've booked it in

wow £41 is a bargin!! don't feel upset! you know you are doing the right thing!!!

wow,£41 for her been spayed? if it is,thats brilliant,mine was £60 each and dont worry,she will be fine,its the best for her in the long run

They have a half price neutering offer on until the end of the year, which is why I was desperate to get her in before then. However wasn't quite expecting it to be so soon!

Did you find someone to go with you when you drop her off?

"Husband" has offered to do it for me. He knows what I'm like, I'll be in tears as soon as I drive into the car park! I've signed all the forms so think that should be ok. I'll then pick her up after work.

It's that ruddy cake day in work next Wednesday too, but I reckon I'll be too nervous to eat any of it. Well either that or I'll eat the whole lot before anyone else gets in!

She will be absolutely fine honey. x x

Aww bless you for being so worried! She will be fine! Cake will be a good distraction!!