Rabbits are clean? Not this one 😭

RipleyLLC · Nov 3, 2024

I have 6 rabbits. Five of the rabbits have impeccable hygiene. They are clean and I don't have to do any clean up care.
.The sixth rabbit, my little Evi, is the dirtiest rabbit I've seen so far. She doesn't clean herself very well (she doesn't seem to care lol). Today I decided to bathe her backside because she is so dirty. One thing I've noticed about her is that she just lays and sits in her own urine (she has the run of the house and pees in one spot). I try and stay on top of it, checking the hallway many many times during the day and constantly cleaning up the urine, but she'll lay or sit in it sometimes before I can check again.

I had to cut off a bunch of fur from her tail and her feet. Unfortunately, I have found an open wound on the base of her tail. It was scabbed over with nastiness (I didn't know about the wound until I started removing the hair) and I cleaned her up as well as I could at the moment (she was fighting and super unhappy grinding her teeth). I dried her up very well and made sure the heat was on high in the house to prevent hypothermia. Everything looks a lot better except that one spot.

My questions are:

1. Why is she not cleaning herself?
2. What can I do to prevent this from happening again? (I keep her pen very clean and change the bottom out every third day)
3. What can I get medicinally to treat this wound? (It's smaller than a dime in circumference)

Preitler · Nov 3, 2024

With my patients, it's motility issues that prevent them from cleaning themself, either they can't rach there or it hurts. My 11 yo girl is on daily Meloxicam (pain Med), makes things a lot better.

Sometimes I need to bath her, and I use a blow-dryer to get her dry, always my hand in the airstream to not get her too hot.

I'm not sure what's the right stuff for treating urine sore wounds, I used Mirfulan for sore spots, but cleaning and keeping them dry (by removing fur down there) seems to help most. Gave my old girl a mite treatment recently, skin between legs looked crusted over, and sore underneith, when they can't clean themself imo they are susceptible to mites too. She'S loking better now.

JBun · Nov 3, 2024

If you mean her hind end is getting urine soaked or soiled from poop, neither is normal and isn't from a lack of proper grooming. It usually means there's an underlying issue that needs correcting.

If it's just that she's peeing in a certain spot outside the litter box and sitting in the urine, the easiest solution is to put another litter box in that spot. But if this is happening in the litter box, you may need a different set up that allows better urine drainage away from her, or possibly needs more space and a bigger litter box. Or if there are any signs of incontinence or dribbling urine, she'll need to be checked by a rabbit vet, as there's a likely medical issue causing it. UTI would be the most common cause.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/litter-training.html

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Litter_training

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Urinary_tract_infection

If her bottom is getting soiled with mushy cecotropes stuck in the fur, that's most commonly a dietary issue (different than mushy or runny fecal poop, which is most often an emergency), but medical issues are possible too. Most often mushy cecotropes is due to excess carbs and/or insufficient fiber in the diet. Or possibly a sensitivity to a certain food, like certain veggies or sometimes pellets.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Rabbit_poop

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102923&id=4952892

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Grooming

If in doubt and you're unsure if there's an underlying medical issue, a check up with a knowledgeable rabbit vet would probably be good to do. With there already being an open wound, she may need to be seen by a vet regardless. Because of where it's located, it's going to be very susceptible to developing infection, so it's essential to closely monitor it for any signs of this, and get her seen by a vet at the first sign or any suspicion. If the wound looks nasty now, it may already be infected and your rabbit will need to be seen by a rabbit vet and get put on an appropriate rabbit safe antibiotic, for usually a minimum of 4 weeks if it's abscessed.

(LINK CONTAINS MEDICAL RELATED PHOTOS)
https://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Bacterial/Abscess/skin_abscess.htm

But if not infected yet, I would keep it wiped off several times a day, and put a thin coat of plain triple antibiotic ointment (no added pain relief) on the wound after cleaning off, to try and stop any infection starting while the wound heals. Just what I would do.

When in doubt, it's best to consult with a knowledgeable rabbit vet.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Choosing_a_rabbit_veterinarian

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/California

https://rabbit.org/care/rabbit-vets-near-me/

Just an additional note, usually it's best to never trim the fur on the bottom of a rabbits foot, particularly the back feet, as it can make them more prone to developing sore hocks. If this is what was done, you'll need to monitor the pads of the feet to make sure no sores develop, especially on that back heel.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Sore_hocks

RipleyLLC · Nov 5, 2024

Thank you so much for all this great information!!! Fortunately, there is no poop getting stuck. It's all urine. It's in her hocks and tail area. She just sits in her urine. Now, she does have difficulty cleaning herself. Her balance isn't that great. She has to prop herself up to clean herself. I have taken her to the vet

JBun said:
If you mean her hind end is getting urine soaked or soiled from poop, neither is normal and isn't from a lack of proper grooming. It usually means there's an underlying issue that needs correcting.

If it's just that she's peeing in a certain spot outside the litter box and sitting in the urine, the easiest solution is to put another litter box in that spot. But if this is happening in the litter box, you may need a different set up that allows better urine drainage away from her, or possibly needs more space and a bigger litter box. Or if there are any signs of incontinence or dribbling urine, she'll need to be checked by a rabbit vet, as there's a likely medical issue causing it. UTI would be the most common cause.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/litter-training.html

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Litter_training

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Urinary_tract_infection

If her bottom is getting soiled with mushy cecotropes stuck in the fur, that's most commonly a dietary issue (different than mushy or runny fecal poop, which is most often an emergency), but medical issues are possible too. Most often mushy cecotropes is due to excess carbs and/or insufficient fiber in the diet. Or possibly a sensitivity to a certain food, like certain veggies or sometimes pellets.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Rabbit_poop

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102923&id=4952892

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Grooming

If in doubt and you're unsure if there's an underlying medical issue, a check up with a knowledgeable rabbit vet would probably be good to do. With there already being an open wound, she may need to be seen by a vet regardless. Because of where it's located, it's going to be very susceptible to developing infection, so it's essential to closely monitor it for any signs of this, and get her seen by a vet at the first sign or any suspicion. If the wound looks nasty now, it may already be infected and your rabbit will need to be seen by a rabbit vet and get put on an appropriate rabbit safe antibiotic, for usually a minimum of 4 weeks if it's abscessed.

(LINK CONTAINS MEDICAL RELATED PHOTOS)
https://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Bacterial/Abscess/skin_abscess.htm

But if not infected yet, I would keep it wiped off several times a day, and put a thin coat of plain triple antibiotic ointment (no added pain relief) on the wound after cleaning off, to try and stop any infection starting while the wound heals. Just what I would do.

When in doubt, it's best to consult with a knowledgeable rabbit vet.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Choosing_a_rabbit_veterinarian

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/California

https://rabbit.org/care/rabbit-vets-near-me/

Just an additional note, usually it's best to never trim the fur on the bottom of a rabbits foot, particularly the back feet, as it can make them more prone to developing sore hocks. If this is what was done, you'll need to monitor the pads of the feet to make sure no sores develop, especially on that back heel.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Sore_hocks

Thanks so much for all this great information!!!!

I have since taken Little Evi to the vet. She has been having balance issues when she cleans herself. She has to prop herself up against something in order to groom her lower half. The vet took blood and we're waiting for that and she also got an X-ray that came back normal. There's no feces on her hocks or backside. It's all urine. The vet isn't sure why she has a hard time balancing, but it is definitely the reason she doesn't clean her hocks and backside (that's where the urine is). I started a coconut oil honey blend to her tail and the vet was kind like wow. Her wound is already closed over and there is no infection.

I have been trying to potty train her, but when I put a litter box where she is peeing, she just peed around it

.

Thank you all for the information, and I feel like no matter how small a wound or issue , you should seek medical care immediately for your pet/companions.

JBun · Nov 6, 2024

No signs of arthritis? That would be the simplest explanation for the balance issues and also not wanting to go in the litter box. Does she use a litter box at all, or has she ever used one?

Are the balance issues something that's new? Is it just while she's trying to groom, or does she have issues hopping around as well?

That's great that wound is healing up without any problems. Hopefully the vet can help figure out if there's something causing the urinary and balance issues, and can treat it.

Diane R · Nov 6, 2024

I would treat for EC and have her tested for it. If she is positive you will need to treat all your bunnies.

RipleyLLC · Nov 6, 2024

Diane R said:
I would treat for EC and have her tested for it. If she is positive you will need to treat all your bunnies.

The vet did blood work and we are waiting for the results. The vet did explain EC to me, but other than not being able to balance well to clean her bottom half, she's showing no signs of any other abnormalities.

RipleyLLC · Nov 6, 2024

JBun said:
No signs of arthritis? That would be the simplest explanation for the balance issues and also not wanting to go in the litter box. Does she use a litter box at all, or has she ever used one?

Are the balance issues something that's new? Is it just while she's trying to groom, or does she have issues hopping around as well?

That's great that wound is healing up without any problems. Hopefully the vet can help figure out if there's something causing the urinary and balance issues, and can treat it.

The X-ray showed no signs of arthritis or anything else abnormal. I honestly don't think she has ever used a litter box. When they found Little Evi, she was in someone's yard and they ended up trapping her. All signs point to someone dumping her. She's only a little over a year old according to the vet. I highly doubt she was ever litter box trained. She doesn't seem to want to use the litter box at all, but I'm gonna keep on trying to get her to use it.

She's had the balance issues ever since I adopted her. Something else she does unusual is that sometimes when she sits to eat, groom, or just sitting around, she sits directly on her bum with her legs out. I watch her very closely especially now. She's always out of her pen when I'm home and she moves normally. She just hops hops hops lol.

The vet checked her by holding her on her back and watching her nether parts. There was no urine dribble and I have now been checking her like that since the vet. I'm not gonna lie, I'm kind of on pins and needles waiting for this blood work to come back. I love this little bunny so much and just want her to be as healthy as possible, because she is such a happy good girl.

JBun · Nov 7, 2024

If you could get a short video of her trying to groom and having difficulty balancing, and post it here, it might help to determine what's going on. This could possibly be a health issue, or she may just be an awkward bunny. I've had a few that would just tip right over while trying to groom their hind end. So actually seeing what is happening could be helpful for me to just give an opinion if it looks normal or not.

I'm not sure about the peeing issue being a health problem either. From your description, it may just be lack of litter training. How do you have her living space set up, and does she pick a particular corner to pee or is it just everywhere? When she's out free roaming, does she ever return to her own enclosure to pee, or does she just pee whereever she is when she's out? Do you have hard floors or carpeting?

I'm just trying to get a better picture of what her set up and living space is, and how she does with that in case I might have any recommendations of things to try. I've had a few pet rabbits over the years, and I've found that litter training a lot of times, it's about finding the best set up for an individual rabbit. Sometimes it's the placement of the litter box, sometimes the type of litter box used, sometimes the litter substrate. And with ingrained behaviors, there can be some things to try for changing those too.

RipleyLLC · Nov 7, 2024

JBun said:
If you could get a short video of her trying to groom and having difficulty balancing, and post it here, it might help to determine what's going on. This could possibly be a health issue, or she may just be an awkward bunny. I've had a few that would just tip right over while trying to groom their hind end. So actually seeing what is happening could be helpful for me to just give an opinion if it looks normal or not.

I'm not sure about the peeing issue being a health problem either. From your description, it may just be lack of litter training. How do you have her living space set up, and does she pick a particular corner to pee or is it just everywhere? When she's out free roaming, does she ever return to her own enclosure to pee, or does she just pee whereever she is when she's out? Do you have hard floors or carpeting?

I'm just trying to get a better picture of what her set up and living space is, and how she does with that in case I might have any recommendations of things to try. I've had a few pet rabbits over the years, and I've found that litter training a lot of times, it's about finding the best set up for an individual rabbit. Sometimes it's the placement of the litter box, sometimes the type of litter box used, sometimes the litter substrate. And with ingrained behaviors, there can be some things to try for changing those too.

Omgosh awesome and thank you! I'll get some videos and then reply with the other information with the videos.

Rabbits are clean? Not this one 😭

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