Rabbit With Problems Cleaning Himself

[dahowlers]

So my sister’s roommate’s rabbit, Porkie, is a Flemish Giant and he has problems cleaning his hind legs, genitals and just that whole general area.  I was wondering, what they could do to help keep him clean?

[mocha200]

does it look like he is having trouble licking himself or is he dirty. ( like have pee/poo on him)?

[dahowlers]

He’s dirty, but it’s only noticeable when you pick him up. I was over the weekend before Valentine’s Day and I wanted to cuddle with him so I took him out of his cage and found that it’s worse than when he was younger.

[Monkeybun]

How big is his cage, and how much exercise doe he get?

[Beka27]

Flemish giants can’t really be “caged” in a traditional sense. They need A LOT of space. Does he have a litterbox or is the whole cage bottom litter? What kind of litter is used, do you think he’s sitting in poo/pee? Rabbits are very, very clean animals, but they can only do so much if their conditions are not kept very, very clean. Is his fur matted anywhere? Does he get groomed regularly? Does he appear overweight? Flemmies, altho large and “big-boned” should still be slender for their frame. They shouldn’t be very “fluffy” or “squishy”, more muscular.

Give us some more info if you can. It’s be great if we can help steer you in some direction. Does his owner seem very receptive to help?

[Sarita]

Many times too these large rabbits can have mobility issues – they should not be caged and need plenty of space to exercise as Beka said.

[dahowlers]

How big is his cage, and how much exercise doe he get?

I’m not sure about his cage dimensions, but I think it’s around 4’x2’x2′ ish. They take him outside on a harness when the weather permits, or let him run around on their porch. He also gets bathroom time occasionally.

Does he have a litterbox or is the whole cage bottom litter? What kind of litter is used, do you think he’s sitting in poo/pee?

His cage has like three feet wire-bottomed with a pan underneath it and then a foot of a solid-bottomed built in house. The cage can’t fit a litter box and allow him to still spread out comfortably so they don’t put it in. He likes to pee in his house and then sit in it, even though they still put his hay on the wire. I’m not sure if she stays on top of cleaning it out or not, it was clean when I went to visit, until he peed in it again.

They need A LOT of space.

He was litter-trained on hay when I had him so he went to my sister’s roommate to be a free-range rabbit, but when I gave him to my her, he decided to pee and poop all over the apartment, so he has to stay in his cage until the can afford to neuter him.

Is his fur matted anywhere?

No mats yet, but where there’s pee on his fur, the ends of his fur are bunched together.

Does he get groomed regularly?

I think my sister said they give him a bath every few weeks, but other than that, no groomed. Unless petting counts because he sheds like a beast and petting him creates a new rabbit on the floor haha

Does he appear overweight?

He’s not overweight but he’s never been a muscular rabbit either. I got him when he was six months old, his structure was and still is what I can really only describe as very loose, like his muscles and joints are flimsy. He didn’t seem to have as much trouble grooming himself as he does now, but he was also a lot smaller.

I gave him to my sister’s roommate for Christmas after my mom told me to get rid of him because she didn’t want him around anymore. I believe he’ll be two years old in June or July. They feed him Sprout rabbit pellets, hay that we grew, and veggies when they can.

Sorry it took so long for me to reply, and thanks for all the responses.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Hmmmm…sounds like a few things could be changed. For one the cage sounds very small. He can’t be muscular and fit in a small space with limited out time. I understand out time depends on litter habits and he’s not neutered but something has to change there for his health. Also the bathing-if he’s dirty and getting frequent baths (which rabbits should never have….baths are a little risky) he may even be sick to boot.

Has he seen a vet? That’s the first thing. Rabbits are very clean animals and the fact that he’s dirty and getting baths makes me think this is one ‘sick puppy’

Also…they may want to  look into C&C cages (you can see them on this site too) as a cheap and adaptable enviornment to keep him in, but they should reconsider the wire bottom cage. Those really are for breeders not people who keep them as loved pets, as the wires are very hard on their feed (rabbits don’t have pads like dogs and cats-and even dogs and cats get sores being kept on wire floors)…

I hope this helps! Keep us posted!!

[Beka27]

Thank you for responding, it’s okay that it took you some time.

Like Kokanee&Kahlua said, something is certainly not right if he’s getting that dirty and needing baths so often. I think a vet check-up would be a good idea, and from there they can get info on neutering if they haven’t already. Also, many areas have some type of low-cost option available, either state funded programs, or possibly thru a rescue or humane society.

I’m concerned about his not having a litterbox. The issue in his lack of exercise is that he is not littertrained, BUT if he’s not given a litterbox, how do they expect he will acclimate to it? A wire-bottom floor is allowing him to *not* littertrain. Rabbits need to be “set-up for success”, so if he has a litterbox, chances are at least some of the poops will make it into the box.

Throwing out some ideas… do they have a kitchen space where they could put up a dog exercise pen (4×4 feet) or build a pen made out of wire storage grids (NIC or C&C grids). If it’s on tile or linoleum, it would be easy to clean, they could put down a towel or blanket for some traction. AND, there would be space for a large cat litterbox.

Neutering can be very important for litter habits, but my rough estimation is that most rabbits prior to spay/neuter surgery, can still get up to about 75% litter-trained (or better!) because they naturally want to only potty in one space. Until they can get him neutered, I hope they can try some other methods to get him using a litterbox. When they have absorbent litter, it’s not an issue that they are sitting in pee and getting dirty.

[dahowlers]

… the cage sounds very small.

Yes, and they agree that it’s too small, he wasn’t supposed to live in it. As I said, he was supposed to be a free-ranger, but rebelled against litter boxes and also started spraying. They said they’ve been looking into getting him neutered so that should help.

He can’t be muscular and fit in a small space with limited out time.

Even when I had him and he had out time almost all the time, he wasn’t muscular. I think his breeding also contributes to this problem because I had different Flem from a different breeder, and he was a very strong and compact rabbit.

Has he seen a vet? That’s the first thing. Rabbits are very clean animals and the fact that he’s dirty and getting baths makes me think this is one ‘sick puppy’

No, he’s never been to a vet, yet. I’ll have to look for vets in their area that have knowledge on rabbits. What should they make sure a vet looks for with him? What should be done during a check-up?

…they may want to look into C&C cages (you can see them on this site too) as a cheap and adaptable environment to keep him in…

Is an NIC the same thing as a C&C? I’ve been looking at NICs for if/when I ever decide to get rabbits again. I’ll suggest that to them. It will definitely fit as his cage is in the ‘dining room’ of their little apartment, and I think an NIC would make organization so much easier. Does anybody know how much they usually run for?

Many areas have some type of low-cost option available, either state funded programs, or possibly thru a rescue or humane society.

They live by a Petsmart that does cheap check-ups for walk-ins once a week, but I don’t know how complete these are. Would this be a good option?

When they have absorbent litter, it’s not an issue that they are sitting in pee and getting dirty.

I just texted them and told them to get some and put a handful of hay on top, in a litter box for him. Hopefully the roommate will do it, I got some pretty… interesting news. The roommate didn’t text me back so I guess she’s busy, but my sister told me that she (the roommate) has started putting off cleaning his cage until the poop comes through the wires. I’m so angry about this, I can’t wait to get a hold of her. I did not give her him so he could sit in his filth. I don’t even know what to say right now, I’ve been hit with a huge wave of regret.

[Monkeybun]

I wouldn’t do the Petsmart route, as they wouldn’t know rabbits as well as cats or dogs. A rabbit savvy vet is really the only way to go.

He likely didn’t “rebel” against the litter training, the move into a new home, plus lack of neutering was getting him to mark his territory. Neutering, and reliable litter access would greatly improve the odds of training. He NEEDS more time out. It isn’t an option if they want a healthy rabbit.

[dahowlers]

Not all Petsmart vets are bad, but I wouldn’t tell them to go without looking that vet up first. That’s what I did, and the vet in my area turned out to be the highly recommended.

So the roommate still hasn’t texted me back, but my sister said that even if the roommate doesn’t feel like building a new cage for him, her and I can and then the roommate can pay for it. If she doesn’t want to pay for it, I will make her.

He likely didn’t “rebel” against the litter training… mark his territory.

Wow, I didn’t even think of that. I don’t know why I figured he just didn’t want to.

[Beka27]

People don’t always realize that a change in space/house can cause litter habits to go off-track. Best thing to do ASAP is try and expand his area and give him a litterbox.

This is fantastic that you’re stepping up to help get his care back on track. He’s lucky to have you looking out for him.

[dahowlers]

My sister and I were looking at different cage designs for Porkie’s NIC and the roommate agrees in letting us make one for him, at her expense. Also, my sister has been heckling her about calling around for neutering prices so she can actually get it done instead of talking about wanting to. I want to get the cage done first though, so he has more room to clean himself to help prevent the possibility of infection.

[peppypoo]

Not much advice to add here (everybody else has said everything of importance) but I just wanted to say that I’m really glad you’re stepping up for Porkie and seeing that he is taken care of well

[dahowlers]

I’m glad I found out about it before it could get any worse. Now we just need to find a weekend when nobody’s busy to get it done so he can be happy :]

Can somebody guestimate for me how much a NIC usually costs? We’re thinking about making it four by two and three high, plus some shelves.

 

Edit: I feel like he’s still my responsibility because I had him first when he was six month old. He was my squishy <3 Although the roommate has been getting annoyed with my sister and I this past day haha

[LoveChaCha]

I spent 70 dollars for a 3×2 cage.

I have to agree with monkeybun. Petsmart vets are extremely limited in their care of rabbits. I was told by the person working at the petsmart vet. It would be a better investment to find someone that can give all of the care they can to rabbit.

I hope everything works out.

[peppypoo]

I think most people only use the grids for the outside of the cage, and attach the shelves in other ways (if you look around the habitat section, there should be plenty of examples). Grids are available on Amazon for $21 for a pack of 17 with color options, though I’m pretty sure I’ve seen links around here for cheaper ones. Plan out your cage, count how many grids you’ll need, and make sure you have a few extra sitting around because you’ll almost always have to make modifications to see what works best for Porkie.

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Whitmor-6071-1723-Storage-Cubes-White/dp/B000LRGV3W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1298966503&sr=8-1

Regarding the Petsmart vets: I’m sure the vets there are skilled and qualified, but most vets only receive training in livestock, dogs, and cats. Rabbit medicine is very different from that of dogs and cats; would you go to a dog and cat vet if your human child is sick? Of course not – you want to find a healthcare professional that is trained in the treatment of your particular species. This is especially true for neuters/spays…some anesthetics used for cats and dogs can be lethal to rabbits, so it’s important that your vet is familiar with the needs of rabbits before entrusting him a rabbit for surgery. Not all rabbit-savvy vest in an area are listed here, but the HRS directory is a good place to start: http://www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html . If you can’t find one in your area, you can always call around to see if any of the local veterinary clinics has an exotics vet.

[Beka27]

Can you make the footprint larger? 4 by 2 grids would work okay for a smaller 5 pound bun, not a Flemish Giant. Can you do 4 by 4 grids at least?

[dahowlers]

Thanks for the link peppypoo :]

Beka, I will try, but it’s still up to his current owner.

[Author]

Messages