Post-Op Spay Questions

Hello Everyone,

I have been lurking for a while now observing the goings-on, so this is my
first official post to this group. :-)

My seven month old Mini Rex, Aimee, was spayed yesterday, and I picked her
up from the vet's today and brought her home. I was told that the operation
went well, thankfully, though I think she was quite stressed out by all the
noise and activity at the clinic on top of her surgery (I opted for the
laser surgery route in the hope that it would cause her less pain/swelling
and would promote a speedier recovery).

Anyways, here are my questions, if I could impose upon the group for your
wisdom.

1. I've noticed that her ears seem to be quite cool to the touch. I am used
to them being warmer than my fingers, but of course I am usually touching
them when she has been tearing around the upstairs level. Is this something
I should be concerned about?

2. Her poop output is reduced, and what is coming out is very soft, almost
diarrhea. And it stinks, but I know they fed her some Nutrapet (sp?)
yesterday as well. Is this normal? If so, how long should I expect it to
continue.

3. Is there anything else that I should know/be aware of that the vet might
not have told me? They seem to be very good, and were on the
rabbit-recommended vet list, but I figure it can't hurt to ask.

Overall she seems to be doing okay, all things considered. She isn't her
normal self, but has been eating her hay, and also munched on some kale,
carrots and carrot tops that I gave her. Not at her normal consumption rate,
mind you, but I'm guessing that is to be expected?

Of course she is mightily pissed off about her collar - it is not a
traditional E-collar, more something that looks like a keyhole and is
wrapped with that vet wrap stuff (she's been licking the pink colouring off
of it <g>). Unfortunately the long part of it keeps slipping around to her
front and she keeps getting caught on things, but she seems to be having no
problem accessing her water and food.

In case it is relevant, she was put on IV fluids during the operation, as
well as a heating blanket. The operation site looks good, I'm not seeing any
redness or swelling.

Thank you very much for any information or advice that you might be able to
give me. I know I'm obsessing a bit, but I swear that she has become the
centre of my universe in a very short period of time. :-) Bunnies will do
that, as of course everyone here knows! lol

Take care,
Martha

P.S. To contact me directly, please omit the "removeme" and "nospam" from
the address.

Welcome to apr, Martha and Aimee. I hope to hear Aimee is up to speed again
soon.

Rabbits' ears are often cool when they aren't moving around a lot. There is
not a lot of metabolic heat to dissipate when they are inactive. I wouldn't
worry about this unless the poops totally stop. Not pooping and hypothermia
are signs of stasis.

Much of the rest of what you asked about could be because she is sore right
now. She may be holding back on the poops because it hurts to push them
out. The wet, smelly one was probably a cecotroph. Rabbits normally eat
these -- Jessie calls them "rabbit brownies." Aimee probably couldn't reach
it.

The soreness should be less in a day or two. If she is like Jessie, she'll
want lots of water and hay when she is mending. Both of my rabbits liked a
lot of hay when they were recovering from something. Maybe it got the gut
moving well again, so it was like medicine to them.

Again, welcome to apr. It is a great place for rabbit people.

Anita and Jessie

"A Customer" <a.customer.removeme.DeleteThis@nospam.rogers.com> wrote in message
news:SeOab.67401$DZ.31261@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
> Hello Everyone,
>
> I have been lurking for a while now observing the goings-on, so this is my
> first official post to this group. :-)
>
> My seven month old Mini Rex, Aimee, was spayed yesterday, ...