Buck attacking bonded doe

[Iamnotanugget]

Following on from my thread about my digging doe a couple of weeks ago I have got her neutered. She was out of the house around 8 hours. She seemed very sad and like she'd been hit by a truck when she got home but that's understandable. We left her alone but she wasn't eating. She went back to the vet the next morning for a check up and some pain relief and ww were gone about an hour. I offered her some carrot (yes, I know it's not great for them but thought it might prompt her to eat) and after a few nibbles she moved onto greens. She's not resting in her usual spot but seems back to normal now apart from the fact that her bonded buck is now attacking her whenever he can. Why is this happening? What can I do? They have apparently been a pair for a few years now so I don't know why he's turned on her. I can't keep two separate rabbits but I can't think about rehousing one so they need to get along. Any advice would be very useful.

[Iamnotanugget]

Has anyone got any suggestions? I've separated them for now but I don't know of that's making it worse.

[BlackInk]

I wonder whether she smells funny having been at the vet? Could you rub her coat with hay or litter from the male? Stoke him then stroke her to transfer his scent?
Maybe when she's feeling better you could try putting them together in a neutral space - out in the garden or in a room they don't usually go in?

[GinaCarbonara]

I can't offer any advice unfortunately but until the last couple of sentences I thought you were talking about your pet deer

[bunnygeek]

I take it they were separated for all the vet visits? That can cause a bit of a divorce. Ideally they should always be together, even for vet visits. My vets keep both of them in when one needs an op, only separated for the anesthesia and the op, back together to recover.

I would go back to basic bonding 101, supervised introductions in neutral territories.

[PurpleBun]

I agree with @bunnygeek - back to bonding basics including neutral territory, treats/snacks as distractions, etc.

If they're currently separated, can you keep them still side by side (if in cages, etc.) so they can see and smell each other? I'd also take some bedding or litter from each and swap them into the other's place.

I hope all goes well and that this is just a blip between them.