Separating Rabbits After Spaying?

[Robodwarfs18]

Sorry this isn't hamster related but instead I'm reaching out to rabbit owners or maybe people with knowledge on either rabbits, spaying or separating animals.

I booked Willow (aged 2-3 years) to go get spayed next week (Spaying is basically like neutering for female bunnies if you didn't know) and I'm just wondering something.

Willow lives with her mother Hazel (aged 8-9 years) and so they have lived together for the whole of Willow's life. After Willow gets spayed I was planning on keeping her on her own in a cage for 5-6 days until the wound is healed. Also to make sure that Hazel, who loves to snuggle into her and clean her on a daily basis, sometimes in the area of where the wound will be, doesn't burst the stitches. Plus she won't be allowed to jump up onto things and their usual cage is two storey and she jumps up and down the stairs.

Now I'm just unsure if it will be okay to seperate them for 5-6 days and then put them back together again. So please, if you know anything about what I've just said, reply as soon as possible. Thanks.

[Robodwarfs18]

All help appreciated x

[SecretlyDying]

If it was me i wouldn't separate them completely, would it be possible to have hazel/willow in cages next to each other so they still smell/see/hear each other but can't snuggle/play together? this way they'll still be able to interact in a way but without risk to Willow's stitches. I'm not a rabbit expert but this is probably how i'd do it. i just quickly googled and found this website: Pre- and Post-operative care of Domestic Rabbits which has a lot of pre/after care info on, there's an extract in it that says:
Post-surgical Social Interaction
Keep your rabbit quiet for a few days after surgery, but try to maintain normal feeding and bonding times.
There is no reason to separate bonded pairs or groups as long as the bunnies interact calmly.
A post-surgical bunny will usually manage his/her own activity quite well, and knows not to "push it" too soon.
If your bonded pair continues to mount or play too roughly after surgery, then it might be necessary to physically separate them for a day or two to avoid injury. This is almost never necessary.
However, if you must separate the bunnies, be sure they can see, smell, and touch one another even if they don't have full physical contact.
Remember: the rabbit who has undergone surgery needs the emotional support of his/her mate for an uneventful recovery. Allowing them to be in contact reduces the chances that they will fight upon full re-introduction.
You shouldn't really ever separate rabbits completely so you may have to have them both indoors during Willow's recovery if possible. Hopefully someone more experienced in this subject comes on soon to help. I hope Willow's spaying operation goes okay

[Robodwarfs18]

Thanks for the reply, SecretlyDying.

Unfortunately, I can't keep them in different cages close by (long story lol) but I had the idea of bringing Hazel upstairs to see Willow for a while each day. Like I would have Willow in the cage but let Hazel come up to the bars to see her and smell her etc.

Let me know what you think about this and thanks for the kind wishes for Willow x

[SecretlyDying]

Originally Posted by Robodwarfs18

Thanks for the reply, SecretlyDying.

Unfortunately, I can't keep them in different cages close by (long story lol) but I had the idea of bringing Hazel upstairs to see Willow for a while each day. Like I would have Willow in the cage but let Hazel come up to the bars to see her and smell her etc.

Let me know what you think about this and thanks for the kind wishes for Willow x

This could work i think if you did it everyday, i think another thing that might help is if you could give them each a small blanket with each others scent on in their cages so they have each others smell at all times

[Robodwarfs18]

Good idea with the blankets! I'll be sure to do that! Thanks again for all the help

[Eadenissecretlyapossum]

Originally Posted by Robodwarfs18

Good idea with the blankets! I'll be sure to do that! Thanks again for all the help

Hello my fellow rabbit owner

All of the suggestions by the other people are great answers! I suggest letting the other rabbit, (sorry I forgot her name) see willow everyday like you said, but increase the time you let each other see each other increase it by at least 5 minutes a day. Then I suggest going through their bonding session just in case to see if they remember each other and don't fight

I wish Willow the best of recovery from her surgery

[Robodwarfs18]

Okay will do thanks and I appreciate your kind wishes for Willow x