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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Bun keeps peeing on himself…help

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    • TobyBun
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          I have a 7 year old neutered Holland Lop, that “was” potty trained. A few weeks ago we noticed how brown and dingy his feet and rear were, so we tried to brush and wash the matted fur. Took him to the vet when it was bad and they shaved his end area. It got worse at home. He pees everywhere now, and not in the box, no clue why. Nothing has changed. Took him back to the vet, put him on meds, shaved him again, gave him a medicine bath to help with the sores on his hocks and rear. And still nothing. Did a urinalysis, comes back normal. Since last week, I bathe him daily now, which has to be stressful for him, but I can’t let him sit in his urine all day. Sigh…any ideas?? Thanks.


      • jerseygirl
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          Aw poor little guy.

          Did your vet suggest doing X-rays at all? This may show if there are any bladder stones or anything affecting his bones incase he’s not able to posture correctly to pee.

          What meds did your vet prescribe?

          For managing things at the moment, putting Toby on absorbant bedding should help keep him dry. You could use a soft paper litter or something like Vet Bed. Vet bed or Snoozy Bed would help protect his hocks also.

          I would try a barrier cream on the bald skin too. I think shaving the fur really helps keep the urine away and the barrier cream gives added protection for the skin. I’ve used sudocreme (babies diaper rash cream) that contains zinc. I’ve also read that silverdene cream is good for healing urine burns and bag balm is another commonly used cream for rabbits.

          Hope this helps.


        • LittlePuffyTail
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            I have to ditto Jersey about the X-rays. Sounds like something is making him have less control with the urine.

            You can also try “dry baths” using corn starch. This would probably be less stressful for him.

            ((((((Healing Vibes for Bunny)))))))


          • TobyBun
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               Yeah he suggested x-rays, $125. Yikes.

              I read on another forum to place absorbant towels in their box and then just wash them when they soil, so the last couple days I have been doing just that, and fortunately he has been staying dry. I have also been “repotty” training him, by placing him in his litter pan every 30 minutes or so and giving him small treats to reward good behavior, still isn’t totally preventing his random peeing all over the place, it’s like he just forgot he was potty trained and just goes whereever he is sitting and then sits in it… His hocks seem to be getting better, thankfully he has been staying dry.

              The meds are: Orbax and Metacam. Any thoughts? 

               

              Thank you for your thorough response, I do appreciate it.

               

               


            • jerseygirl
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                It’s pretty unusual for them to sit in the urine. I wonder if he can’t feel that he’s going or sitting in it?

                One of our members had a rabbit who started to become incontinent and her vet did a simple test to determine if the rabbit was losing feeling in her hind end. I’ll see if I can find the post about that.

                The orbax is like baytril but newer generation *i think*. Baytril is pretty safe and supposed to be good for urinary infections. Have you finished the course of Orbax now?

                Do you think he’s having trouble getting into his litterbox? Trying a one with lower sides might be worthwhile.


              • TobyBun
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                   He seems to be walking, hopping and jumping into and out of his cage and litter pan, so I am at a loss. The litter pan is already angled on one whole side, so it’s easy to get in and out of. The only thing that seemed a bit odd, was a few days ago when he was grooming, up on hind end, he was having difficulty staying upright, but since then, no problems. Maybe he is having trouble feeling his rear? 

                   

                  I am totally unfamiliar with rabbit medications, so you may have to walk me through what he was on and what you were mentioning. He is a good biy when it comes to giving him his meds, just gobbles it up, and I’m sure it tastes awful. Poor Bun. And yes, all his meds have been exhausted as of today actually. 


                • jerseygirl
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                    They might have flavoured it nice. : ) I think metacam is usually sweet tasting. My rabbits like that one!

                    The metacam is a pain reliever / anti inflammatory.

                    The orbax (and baytril) are broad-spectrum antibiotics. Meaning they’ll target a variety of the commonly found bacteria that could cause infection.
                    Orbax became available after baytril so I suppose it could be called a newer and better version. Likely just more effective.
                    I think it’s normally prescribed for 5-7 days…(well baytril is anyway.)


                  • jerseygirl
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                      This is description of a member gave of the simple test I mentioned before.

                      Posted By skibunny8503 on 12/12/2010 09:16 AM
                      He did this interesting thing where he picked her up and let her feet hang and moved her above the edge of the table so that her feet would hit the edge and then they would slide across the top. He said that normally when a rabbit hits that edge their feet would go up and not drag.

                      https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/113235/Default.aspx

                      In this case it was a combo of the parasite E. Cuniculi and arthritis that was causing the weakness & loss of feeling in the hind end.

                      After reading that thread again I’m reminded that bladder sludge can cause some incontinence also.


                    • TobyBun
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                         Well as I am tyiping this, the hubs is giving the bun a bath ugh. 

                         

                        How do buns get E Cuniculi? When he is dry I will try the foot drag motion. The link you posted was dead, so if you have another ave to get to it, I would love to read it. What was the outcome of the foot drag test? 

                        Thanks!


                      • jerseygirl
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                          I fixed the link above.

                          E. Cuniculi (EC) is usually picked up when rabbits are babies from the urine of adult rabbits. Some will have it and never show symptoms. Other will have symptoms arise at anytime during their lifetime.
                          There’s a bit more on it in that thread.

                          EC is just one of the probable causes of hind limb or hind end disability.

                          {{{Vibes}}} for Toby.
                          Have you tried the dry bath before that LPT mentioned?


                        • TobyBun
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                             Thank you for the link, that was very informative. It makes me worry now. When we took Toby to the vet, the first thing the Dr. did was get a sample of urine, and he gently pushed on his bladder and he filled the sample cup with that gentle pressure…he said its not normal to press that lightly and get that reaction. All fingers are pointing to EC so far…I have to do more research on EC, is this a lifetime problem and will it get worse? I’m curious if medication is only a temp fix for a perm prob? We take him to the vet today for the xray, will keep you posted. 


                          • TobyBun
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                              Xrays revealed a degenerative hip disease, similar to hip dysplasia (sp?) he will be on a lifetime of metacam and now we have to renovate our bunny set up in the house so that Toby doesn’t have to hop up and down into his home. Poor bunbun, at least we know what the issue is now.


                            • jerseygirl
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                                Aww {{{Toby}}}

                                It’s much better knowing what you are dealing with.
                                Did the xrays show sediment in his bladder at all?

                                Do you know if nutritional supplements like given for arthritis would help?


                              • TobyBun
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                                  No sludge, or sediment was revealed in the xrays, so I think that’s a good thing. Dealing with his hip is going to be enough of a challenge.

                                  I have no knowledge of supplements that would be good for rabbits…any ideas??


                                • tobyluv
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                                    Regarding supplements to help with arthritis and degenerative joint diseases, you could try Oxbow Joint Support. They are chewable tablets. It is sold here on Binky Bunny, http://store.binkybunny.com/new-natural-science-joint-support-oxbow-p171.aspx, at PetSmart and on other online sites.


                                  • TobyBun
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                                      Thanks so much for all your help and support, Toby and I really appreciate it!


                                    • sir-rabbit-pants
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                                        My Flower is having the same issue with the soiling herself and urine scald. It’s been off and on since I adopted her last year. Usually, I just regularly clean her up every few weeks, but this time I cleaned her up, she was FULL of sores (poor baby). She definitly doesn’t have any issues problems with jumping or standing. I keep finding puddles but I assume they come from her partner, Thumper; she’s always been the one with infinitely better litter skills.

                                        She’s had UAs during past visits to the vet that have come back normal. I called the vet today and they thought it could be E.C. (her partner was treated a few months ago). We’re going in on Monday. Any other thoughts?


                                      • jerseygirl
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                                          sir-rabbit-pants, are you able to begin a new thread with your concerns about Flower? Questions often get overlooked when added onto an existing thread.
                                          I think getting some X-rays like TobyBun has done wouldnt be a bad idea.

                                          TobyBun, other supplements are glucosamine/chondriton, fish oil, rose hip oil, possibly flaxseed oil..
                                          Tumeric powder too is an anti inflammatory.
                                          These are things I read are good for arthritis so I imagine they’d help with degenerative hip joint also. Your vet can probably give an opinion over the phone on these options. All can be purchased via drugstore or health food store. You don’t necessarily have to get them through a vet clinic.


                                        • TobyBun
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                                            We have yet to try the supplements, so many things to finish up and prepare for Toby, he is doing better, the clean towels in the cage help with the urine scald and we have reduced his baths to about twice a week now. The vet said he looked good, the skin etc, so I am doing a pretty good job of staying on top of it. He has been on matacam for about a week now, and he seems to enjoy the flavor and when I get him to eat the liquid he practically gobbles the syringe, he is silly hopefully we can reduce that to once per day, the stuff is SUPER expensive, like $250 a month, we have to look into generic brands or a cheaper drugstore avenue.

                                            Stir rabbit pants, I hesitated getting xrays since its expensive, but I am so glad we did. We saved our bun unnecessary pain by jumping into and out of a high rise cage and now we are able to really care for him, like he deserves. Sweet bun, good luck.


                                          • MeggoWaffle
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                                              There are a few websites that sell large bottles of Metacam that are much more affordable than vets charge. I get mine from DrsFosterSmith.Com but there are others as well. Shop around and see which has the best price, and have your vet send the prescription to them. Should save you some money.


                                            • MeggoWaffle
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                                                I would also recommend putting sherpa fleece (cheap from Jo-Ann Fabrics) over the towels to wick away moisture. Unless you are changing the towels as soon as they are wet, he will be sitting against a damp surface which is no fun. You might also try reusable/washable puppy pads instead of towels under sherpa fleece (I get Pooch Pads off Amazon). Towels provide a bit of cushion but there are other ways to keep his area comfortable, and pee pads are better at neutralizing the ammonia smell.


                                              • TobyBun
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                                                   MeggoWaffle, you saved us with that site. I can’t believe how much more affordable this it, thank you for sharing that with me, I truly appreciate it.

                                                   

                                                  Are peepee pads ok if the bun eats it? How about fleece? I am hesitant to place materials like that in his house for fear it could be a disater for insides? 


                                                • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                    Pee pads are not okay if they are eaten. Same goes for any material or fabric. If you decide to put anything like that in his area, make sure to watch him very closely. Some bunnies will chew and ingest things like that, some won’t.


                                                  • MeggoWaffle
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                                                      Make sure the pee pads are under the sherpa fleece. Then secure the fleece – not sure what your setup is but I tuck each edge and corner under the tray in Nona’s area, and anchor with litter box, water bowl, etc.

                                                      If you do buy sherpa fleece be sure to run it through the wash before you put it in his area. This will help minimize shedding of new material.


                                                    • TobyBun
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                                                        Thank you for that info, my hubs and I will have to give it a try,I’m a stay at home bunmommy so it will be easier for me to monitor for the time being, appreciate all your help!

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                                                    Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Bun keeps peeing on himself…help