Scent glands?

[BunMommaD]

So I have yet to clean Mr.C's scent glands... The vet did it like 2+months ago but I hadn't done it yet... So he was being very calm and lying next to me a little while ago and I thought it would be a good time to take him, roll him over and clean them or at least check them... Sounds easy enough right?.... :expressionless

Wrong! He started to fighting and scratch... He got me really good on my arm! (my fault I should have been wearing gloves) but anyway I stayed calm and got him rolled over and when we looked at the scent glands they were completely clean!!!!!! Like nothing there at all!!! (and yes I was looking in the right place, the vet showed me when he did it)

So my question is... Is it possible for some rabbits to take care of them theirselves? Kind of like smalls dogs... Some need thier anal glands expressed (our Charlie does every week! Yuk! But Sydney never has...) and some don't?

And also... He was so mad at me for doing it... I'm worried I've thrown a wrench in our bonding because I did it during a moment he was lying comfortable next to me... :?

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Next time, get a firm grip before you try to roll him. You can also hold him in a upright position, facing outward and check and clean him. My son hold ours while I clip their nails, so that's also when I check. Some need cleaning every other month and some only once or twice a year.

 

[BunMommaD]

Nancy McClelland wrote:

Next time, get a firm grip before you try to roll him. You can also hold him in a upright position, facing outward and check and clean him. My son hold ours while I clip their nails, so that's also when I check. Some need cleaning every other month and some only once or twice a year.

Yeah I'm going to wear gloves next time to be sure... And awesome! Hopefully he only needs to to be a couple times a year

Thanks! :biggrin: