UTI and messy bum

[DietCokeofEvil]

Hi everyone! My 3 year old rabbit Rosie has been getting over a UTI. She just recently finished her second treatment of antibiotics and all of her hair has grown back. However, she still has a messy and smelly bum. The last course of antibiotic was 0.5cc twice a day for 3 weeks, so she should be over the infection by now.

So two questions- why does she still have a messy bum? And what is the best way to clean it? I know rabbit skin is very sensitive.

Thanks!

 

[DietCokeofEvil]

Wanted to add- we never used any type of bedding before this for either rabbit, but after she got this, we started using paper bedding to make her a little more comfortable- we change it every other day. She seems to be eating and drinking fine- she gets plenty of timothy hay and fresh things like lettuce, celery or carrots at least a few times a week- more often if we have it on hand.

 

[Watermelons]

What is her bum messy with?
Poop? Pee?

 

[DietCokeofEvil]

I think it's pee.

 

[DietCokeofEvil]

I just checked her again this morning- her entire back area is completely wet and matted again. I'm probably going to take her back to the vet again- it has to be something else. Two courses of antibiotics haven't helped. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[JBun]

Bladder sludge or stones, other bladder problems, kidney problems, rabbit syphilis, arthritis, spondylosis, sore hocks, obesity, e. cuniculi, uterine cancer(for unspayed female) can all cause urine scalding. UTI is still a possibility as well, from a bacteria not sensitive to the antibiotic being used, in which case a culture would need to be done. You'll likely need other tests done, such as a urinalysis and culture, xrays, blood tests.

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Uro_gen_diseases/Differentials/Incontinence.htm
http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Miscellaneous/UrineScaldingRabbit.htm

 

[squidpop]

If its a UTI the antibiotic might not be working. It might help to read this. http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/urinary.html
If you are in the UK where EC (E.cuniculi) is really common and your rabbit has never been treated for that, its another thing that could cause kidney problems.

 

[DietCokeofEvil]

My husband asked a friend of his who has raised so many rabbits that her nickname is Bunny and we are following her recommendations for now.

In the morning, we are using a soft wet warm cloth to clean her and then blotting her dry with a soft towel.

Evening time, I use some cornstarch based baby powder and a fine tooth comb and we are combing her hair out and cutting the matted hair off little by little. Warm wet cloth and dry towel after to clean more.

No fresh fruits- just timothy hay, pellets and her good girl treat is Spanish peanuts- she loves those.

She's eating and drinking and as active as she usually is (which is not very for the most part- she's a lazy girl). She seems to be looking better already- so we're going to try this for a little while to see how it goes.

 

[DietCokeofEvil]

If its a UTI the antibiotic might not be working. It might help to read this. http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/urinary.html
If you are in the UK where EC (E.cuniculi) is really common and your rabbit has never been treated for that, its another thing that could cause kidney problems.

I'm not going to rule any of this out. She's young and been in fairly good health up until this started. Hopefully, what we are doing in our previous post will help us pinpoint the problem better.