Was litter trained; now messy

[ditonics]

Hi,

 

I am new to having a house bunny so forgive me if I ask anything silly.

I bought Ela about a month ago as a 3 month old, she is a lion head cross.

She was litter trained and totally clean within 3 days which I thought to good to be true. Then beginning of this week she decided to wee and poo everywhere. She does not choose the same place twice and has virtually stopped using her litter tray. I have tried moving here tray, cleaning it, putting paper soaked in her urine in it etc as I have read on this and other house bunny sites.

Is it because she is reaching sexual maturity? I have noticed she scent marks a lot now with her chin and no longer likes to be held.

 Any advise would be welcome. I am guessing she will need her girly bits removed by the vet?????

 

Cheers, Simon

[Bam]

It’s most likely sexual maturity setting in. You should have her spayed, that’s the best thing for her health as well. My bun suddenly started to wee and poo everywhere after having been litter-trained and clean for a long time. His hormones went crazy suddenly, probably because his instincts told him my dog was a female rabbit. I had him neutered and he nolonger does excessive marking, I can now allow him up in the sofa with me again.

[Beka27]

Welcome here, Simon! Yes, I do believe your theory is correct. Rabbits reach sexual maturity at different ages, but it can range from about 4-7 months. The potty habits should improve once she’s spayed.

[jerseygirl]

This contains some resources to find a rabbit savvy vet.
https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/116849/Default.aspx
Hope that helps.

[ditonics]

Thanks for the replies.

I am going to get her done at the vets in the next week or so, its a 4 day weekend here (uk) so not sure if I will get her booked in for next week. The vet said to get her jabs (mixi and vrs) done when she goes back after the op for a health check up.

[Bam]

That’s important, the jabs, but she has to be fully recovered from the spay when she gets them. Don’t let her outside or feed her any greens growing on the ground in places where sick wild rabbits may have been, until a few weeks after the jabs, the viruses could be sticking to grass and leaves etc. We have those diseases where I live too, so I have my bun vaccinated. In the uk you should be able to get the new double-vaccine (launched in March 2012), which is supposed to be very good and lasts a whole year. It hasn’t reached Sweden yet, so my bun gets the old vaccines.

Good luck with your bun!

[ditonics]

Yep, the double vaccine has reached us here and that is what my vets is offering. Lasts a year.

[Author]

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