Baby bonds...

[Cinnabun14]

Just when I think I've got all the basics down, something new comes by to blow it all apart. We never stop learning...

I just learned about baby bonds last week, and I'm sitting here wondering why all the books I devoured before we got Cinnamon and Chika never mentioned it! The girls are about ten weeks old now and are getting along very well. But I (now) know it's only a matter of weeks before puberty hits, then it all breaks out. I'm pretty terrified they're going to start fighting at any moment, so I actually have a vet ready when the time comes for a spay. I was just wondering, can a baby bond stay intact if you spay the rabbits before the fighting starts? Also, does anyone have any tips on an outdoor rabbit getting spayed? They can't come inside under any circumstances, although I wish they could.

 

[Zoobec]

I had 2 sisters who I managed to keep together by having them spayed as early as possible. I did bring them inside after the spay for recovery.

 

[Shimmer]

I agree with Zoobec - get neutered early (before they fall out). Probably do them together. They will need restricted activity for a while so they can heal internally (so no jumping, for instance). For the first couple of days, they will need a close eye keeping on them. Make sure they are weeing / pooing and that they are eating & drinking. You might have to do syringe feeds until they pick up. Have some of their favourites in, just in case. Stronger smelling greens sometimes help to get their appetite back - dandelions, celery leaves, herbs, etc.

Immediately after a general anaesthetic, they will struggle with keeping their temperature stable, so allow for extra bedding and maybe make a heat pad available for the first couple of days / nights. They must be able to get away from the heat easily if they need to - so don't shut them in a carrier with it, for instance - but you could leave it in a carrier with the door off in their usual area. If it's raining or cold out, I would be inclined to keep them shut inside until you know they are eating OK.

 

[Cinnabun14]

Thank you so much! I was really freaking out about having to keep them outside after surgery, but I'll definitely do what you said about the heat pad. We have a couple, and it's also getting really warm here, so by the time they're ready it'll hopefully be warm enough all evening even without the heat pad. When you said syringe feed, what exactly am I supposed to feed them? Is that just critical care?

 

[Cinnabun14]

@Zoobec, so glad it's possible to keep the bond with a spay! They get along so nicely, I'd hate to have it ruined for them, especially aince they're all they have (rabbit wise).

 

[Shimmer]

Syringe feed: it's usually something like Critical Care (others are available), but you could just use your regular pellets. Either collect the powder at the bottom of a bag & use that, or soak some pellets in hot water & mash them with a fork until they disintegrate. Add a bit of eg apple or carrot puree baby food to make it flow better in the syringe. I tend to save the powdered bits anyway - you never know when they might come in and it would get wasted otherwise. Store in eg a ziplock sandwich bag & don't forget to label & date it. For syringes, you could use a cleaned out kid's medicine (eg Calpol) one as they have a bigger hole in, which makes it easier.

They may be fine and start eating as soon as you get home, but it's best to be prepared. It's a bigger op for girls, so they can take a bit longer to fully come round. I usually do at least top up feeds for the first 24hr so I know they are getting fibre and water. Monitor poo for output - increase the feeds if poo is very small, irregular shaped or infrequent.

 

[Cinnabun14]

Thank you so much Shimmer! I've got some syringes left over from my science class (nothing but water was used lol). Glad to know there's a use for all those pellet shnivels.

 

[Omi]

My elderly, neutered male had a 'baby bond' with an unspayed female from when she was 3 months old. When she was around 5 months old, she had her spay and their bond remained just the same. The spay was in June, so the temperature was warm and she recovered well outside without a heat pad. But obviously having one ready to use if necessary is great.

 

[tulsi]

I had two brothers who were fine until hormones hit. I had them neutered and kept them apart for 6 weeks then added in two sisters from a rescue. A very happy quad was the result. That was many years ago and now only one member of the quad is with me, Snowflake who will be 13 in november!

 

[Cinnabun14]

Wow, she's been with you for a long time! Is she the white one in your signature photo?

 

[tulsi]

No that was Daisy (rip). Snowflake is the white and black rabbit on the left. That was his ex wife Dusty (rip) with him. My other rabbit is Moondust (middle pic) with her beloved Loganberry (rip) the lovely dutch rabbit.

12 is an incredible age isnt it!

 

[Cinnabun14]

No that was Daisy (rip). Snowflake is the white and black rabbit on the left. That was his ex wife Dusty (rip) with him. My other rabbit is Moondust (middle pic) with her beloved Loganberry (rip) the lovely dutch rabbit.

12 is an incredible age isnt it!

It is impressive! Here's to November for Snowflake x