Post spay: back to basics

One crazy bunny I have. Crazy times have got crazier since Esther’s spay (and minor dental). She came home the same day – I’d asked because although she wasn’t eating, being where she was was probably adding to her stress. We (the vet and I) agreed that it was probably best – with the assistance of meds, Critical Care to syringe feed, and the company of Enry through the bars she had a better chance of returning to normal. Normal!! That girl typifies female bunnies. My way or no way.

Initially syringe feeding wasn’t a problem but once the surgery meds were wearing off, she soon realised Critical Care is made by the Devil. That was Thursday evening. I had some Zantac and Loxicom (Metacam) already at home, and an emergency appointment pencilled in for Friday morning in case she hadn’t eaten and all was good. I got up every 2 hours to try to feed her. She’d started by the morning but all very slow. I cancelled the emergency appointment to avoid more stress and to continue what we were doing. Trying everything in the book foodwise. Treats were, for the most part, no good. Tiny bit of banana and hay if i poked her with it. A friend recommended going back to basics – so I tried fresh grass (which she’d refused last week) and she ate it! – along with a handful of small dandelions and yarrow fronds that I grow in the bunny patch. And still she hates me. Some herbs, plenty of dried forage (including echinacea which is high in fibre, dandelion and nettle) were all accepted reluctantly. No pellets, and not much veg/herb tea. And again got up in the night last night where she scoffed a heap of flat leaf parsley. It’s like she wants a servant – to bring her lots of goodies to try, to sit by her and stare at her and then she might eat. If I move away, that’s a signal it’s sleep time. And yes, she needs that too, but she’s a little monkey. It’s a game of Who Rules The Roost. Enry has no chance.

She’s spent a lot of time holed up in her Mini Haven – feeling relatively safe – but intermittently I lift the box. It makes her run. GI stasis loves a static bunny. But she’s certainly not that. Her fear of me is concerning but at this stage I’m more than willing to be the baddie if I can keep her gut moving. We can kiss and make up later.

She’s had her post op check this morning, on the vet floor (always like a bunny appointment at ground level). Teeth, gut sounds and op scar all good as was her weight. But she’s still not pooed today (she did yesterday). I’ve syringe fed water. If she hasn’t done any by the morning she’s going back to the vet. She’s as stubborn as they come. So again, back to basics. I’ve locked her in the dog crate this afternoon for a couple of hours. A litter tray full of hay, water and pellets all in close proximity and where she can chill. An hour in and it’s already made a difference. She’s just scoffed a couple of pellets 🙂

People who think bunnies are easy pets need to spend a day or 2 with Esther. The occasional bunny is – Enry is a sweetheart. But even he’s had his moments. They’re not classed as exotics in the vet world for nothing.