Hesperus
Warren Veteran
Hi everyone,
I've made (for me) a big decision about Ludo!
Now, I know for a lot of seasoned bunny owners this might seem a simple decision but I've been umming and ahhing for ages over whether or not to have Ludo neutered because he's so delicate what with his poorly tummy and his neurotic mummy (the latter being the biggest problem). I was slightly concerned too about the risk of his personality changing for the worse as he's so perfect now that any change would be devastating and I saw some horror stories on the RWAF facebook page that put me off.
So, I rang the vets twice and discussed it with them and I've also been messaging another well-respected expert (Jane!) for support and advice on the matter and I've tentatively booked him in on April 30th at 8.40am!
I decided I wanted a particular vet to do it because there are two at the practice that are particularly good with rabbits, but one is not so good with people and as I'm so nervous about it I decided to go with the one with the good people skills, and she was fully booked for surgery until the 30th. She was so lovely when Harry had to be pts she kept the practice open especially to see him on a Sunday as an emergency and then the next day she moved all her appointments around on the Monday morning so I could have an appointment before work to be with him when he was pts.
Normally, the vet does a health check on the day and then does the procedure but as I'm so worried I've also got an appointment to chat to the vet as well on the day so I can feel sufficiently reassured and also I can make sure they know all about his special needs!
I've also told them on the phone all about his special diet and they said they said they'll make sure he only gets fed his packed lunch and nothing else!
I hope I'm making the right decision. He's a single house bunny and he shows no unwanted male behaviours yet, but he's only 8 months old. His testicles are, to be polite, small so perhaps he won't be very hormonal, but I don't want him to get to say 4-5 years old when the op is more dangerous and to start humping because that wouldn't be pleasant for him or me especially as we share a living space! I don't want him to be frustrated. If at any point I got a job where I was out of the house (unlikely, as I'm disabled, but who knows?) then he would have the option of a wifebun. Also, he wouldn't be able to get testicular cancer. Finally, mum says if he every sprayed he'd be evicted to the garden and I think the loneliness would kill him if he had to go outside when he's used to being with me for 8-12 hours a day. If I go to London for a day and my sister and Mum look after him when I get back I can tell Ludo has missed me because he headbutts me and no matter how tired I am I end up bringing my pillow into his room and snuggling up on the floor with him for 2 hours or so.
Sorry, this has ended up into a long descriptive prose about my relationship with Ludo, but I love him so much and I just want to make the best decision for his welfare, but at the same time I'm terrified as I've never had any pet have to have an operation before. I trust the vet practice I go to though, they did everything right when he had stasis and I'm sure they'll look after him, I just can't bear the thought of not being there with him, just in case they pick him up wrong or frighten him, as he's a sensitive soul! (Currently asleep next to a pile of paperbacks, he won't like it at the vets )
Suzie
I've made (for me) a big decision about Ludo!
Now, I know for a lot of seasoned bunny owners this might seem a simple decision but I've been umming and ahhing for ages over whether or not to have Ludo neutered because he's so delicate what with his poorly tummy and his neurotic mummy (the latter being the biggest problem). I was slightly concerned too about the risk of his personality changing for the worse as he's so perfect now that any change would be devastating and I saw some horror stories on the RWAF facebook page that put me off.
So, I rang the vets twice and discussed it with them and I've also been messaging another well-respected expert (Jane!) for support and advice on the matter and I've tentatively booked him in on April 30th at 8.40am!
I decided I wanted a particular vet to do it because there are two at the practice that are particularly good with rabbits, but one is not so good with people and as I'm so nervous about it I decided to go with the one with the good people skills, and she was fully booked for surgery until the 30th. She was so lovely when Harry had to be pts she kept the practice open especially to see him on a Sunday as an emergency and then the next day she moved all her appointments around on the Monday morning so I could have an appointment before work to be with him when he was pts.
Normally, the vet does a health check on the day and then does the procedure but as I'm so worried I've also got an appointment to chat to the vet as well on the day so I can feel sufficiently reassured and also I can make sure they know all about his special needs!
I've also told them on the phone all about his special diet and they said they said they'll make sure he only gets fed his packed lunch and nothing else!
I hope I'm making the right decision. He's a single house bunny and he shows no unwanted male behaviours yet, but he's only 8 months old. His testicles are, to be polite, small so perhaps he won't be very hormonal, but I don't want him to get to say 4-5 years old when the op is more dangerous and to start humping because that wouldn't be pleasant for him or me especially as we share a living space! I don't want him to be frustrated. If at any point I got a job where I was out of the house (unlikely, as I'm disabled, but who knows?) then he would have the option of a wifebun. Also, he wouldn't be able to get testicular cancer. Finally, mum says if he every sprayed he'd be evicted to the garden and I think the loneliness would kill him if he had to go outside when he's used to being with me for 8-12 hours a day. If I go to London for a day and my sister and Mum look after him when I get back I can tell Ludo has missed me because he headbutts me and no matter how tired I am I end up bringing my pillow into his room and snuggling up on the floor with him for 2 hours or so.
Sorry, this has ended up into a long descriptive prose about my relationship with Ludo, but I love him so much and I just want to make the best decision for his welfare, but at the same time I'm terrified as I've never had any pet have to have an operation before. I trust the vet practice I go to though, they did everything right when he had stasis and I'm sure they'll look after him, I just can't bear the thought of not being there with him, just in case they pick him up wrong or frighten him, as he's a sensitive soul! (Currently asleep next to a pile of paperbacks, he won't like it at the vets )
Suzie