An Example of a Best Practice Rabbit Spey
The following series of photos illustrate absolute best practice when it comes to a rabbit spay. We are very lucky to have access to such a professional and exemplary team here in NZ!
Kind thanks to Onewa Road Veterinary Hospital - for their kind permission to share these photos.
Our sterile theatre all set up and ready. Bun is then transferred from the prep room into surgery.
Onewa has invested in the latest technology - this is a multiparameter anaesthetic monitor. It includes ECG monitoring of the heart, monitoring or the respiratory rate, body temp, blood oxygenation, blood pressure and capnography which is measurement of expired (breathed out) C02. Capnography is really useful to monitor a rabbits respiration (they are so small it’s often hard to see respiratory movement) and it also lets you know if you airway tube (ET tube or V gel) are positioned correctly.
Here, she has been connected to the anaesthetic machine and is on IV fluids to support the body's fluid losses.
We have an awesome 'D' grip which holds our circuits in place! They weigh quite a bit and can pull on the animals ET tube if we're not careful!
After Bun is anaesthetised an 'ET' (Endotracheal) tube is placed so we have full control of her airway.
Jo is using a stethoscope to check the heart rate.
Socks are placed on her feet to try and keep her warm, unfortunately any animal under anaesthesia cannot regulate their own body temperature.
While Jo is doing this our student Riley, is starting the surgical prep on Bun's abdomen.
Bun's surgical site has been prepped and is ready for surgery. We have to make large clips in the fur to avoid any cross contamination.
Here’s another bun that is prepped for surgery using some of Onewa’s newest equipment - She is on a forced air patient warming blanket (Bair Hugger). It’s like a warm inflatable pillow. Very comfy and keeps the body temp up. Does tend to slowly roast the surgeon as well though reports vet Oliver!
Bun’s uterus and ovaries have been removed.
Surgery over and she is in the recovery phase. Jo stays with her until she is awake enough to start moving for herself.
The gloves have warm water in them to provide extra warmth post op.
Now that she is awake and starting to move around, Bun is placed in our oxygen tent to help keep her oxygenated and warm during her recovery.
Recovery from anaesthesia is the most dangerous phase of the whole process, so this cage stays in the treatment room for the nurses to keep a close eye on how she's going.
Still very sleepy, little Bun has done very well!
Still very sleepy, little Bun has done very well!