Bath for an older Rabbit?

[peacexluvxbianca]

Hello all! Firstly, a relative had a few Rabbits in his barn, sadly one passed on, and since I didn't want the other one to be lonely and cold, I have adopted it. She is older, like 7 human years, at least. She was used to the cold, but when I adopted her I brought her inside and put her in a cage by my other Rabbit so they can smell each other and be close (I don't want them together because I don't want babies and I don't want them to fight) I made sure to keep my house alittle on the cold side and slowly adjust her temp, so she didn't get sick. She seems to be doing pretty well, expect that her back legs are very week, she doesn't hop so good, drinks SO much water and that makes her pee and poop alot! I vacuum her cage daily and take it apart and wash it every two days or else it is unbearable. She also has patches of fur missing, I assume is from old age. She is the happiest Rabbit alive though, she comes right to you, rubs her head against you for attention, she's amazing! My concern is that she doesn't keep herself clean. My other Rabbit is never dirty, is litter box trained and smells good. I think that this Rabbit is just so old she can't clean herself, like I mentioned before her back legs don't hop well, she supports her weight by leaning against her litter box and bunny bed at ALL times. I need to know if its okay for me to give her a bath, and the proper way to do it. Once again, I am not doing this because it's cute and I am not a preteen who doesn't know how to care for a bunny and treats them like toys. I'm a 23 year old, responsible animal lover! I just want her to be healthy and for my landlord not to be stop by and complain of bunny smell (it's her not the cage). Please please help me!

 

[tamsin]

She may have some arthritis, in which case pain meds would help her feel more comfortable and walk/wash easier. It might also be an idea to have a urine test done in case she has an infection that's causing the excessive drinking.

Is the fur around her bum/tail? Urine can cause something calling urine scold which is where the urine burns the skin causing fur loss, redening and eventually sores.

My advice would be to trim/shave the fur that is getting mucky as this will make it easier for her to clean herself and you to keep her clean. She won't need it now she is warm indoors. Depending how matted it is you may need to do this pre or post bath. If you have trouble yourself a vet or groomer can do it for you.

To bath, just put a couple of inches of warm water in a sink or bowl and stand her in it - that should be enough to get the bottom areas without soaking her all over. You can use a mild baby/pet shampoo but just the water on it's own will help a lot. Once she's out dry her as much as possible and keep the room warm until she's dry through.

Once you've trimmed the fur, you should be able to just use baby wipes or a damp cloth several times a day to keep her clean and stop her skin getting sore

 

[Bunnylova4eva]

She may have some arthritis, in which case pain meds would help her feel more comfortable and walk/wash easier. It might also be an idea to have a urine test done in case she has an infection that's causing the excessive drinking.

Is the fur around her bum/tail? Urine can cause something calling urine scold which is where the urine burns the skin causing fur loss, redening and eventually sores.

My advice would be to trim/shave the fur that is getting mucky as this will make it easier for her to clean herself and you to keep her clean. She won't need it now she is warm indoors. Depending how matted it is you may need to do this pre or post bath. If you have trouble yourself a vet or groomer can do it for you.

To bath, just put a couple of inches of warm water in a sink or bowl and stand her in it - that should be enough to get the bottom areas without soaking her all over. You can use a mild baby/pet shampoo but just the water on it's own will help a lot. Once she's out dry her as much as possible and keep the room warm until she's dry through.

Once you've trimmed the fur, you should be able to just use baby wipes or a damp cloth several times a day to keep her clean and stop her skin getting sore

:yeahthat:

Those are alot of the same things I was going to recommend. Bathes for bunnies really aren't generally a good idea, unless its just a little in the bottom of a tub or a butt bath, and even at that, its only ok provided you can dry the bunny very well.

 

[tonyshuman]

The excessive urination is a bit worrisome in an older rabbit. She may be having bladder/kidney issues, such as stones, which are very painful, and can cause her to act strangely including not cleaning herself. I would try cleaning her as recommended, and get a good look at her underside. I also would try to get her to a vet for some metacam for pain and glucosamine for arthritis relief.