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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A My 6 week old bunny has swollen genitals! And also he is much smaller than his sister? (Pictures)

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    • Rabbits4Life
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        Hello fellow rabbit lovers!

        So firstly, one of my baby bunnies has swollen, red genitals. I’m not sure if its because mom isn’t cleaning him like she is supposed to or he (I think it’s a he) has an infection. Any opinions would be appreciated and I have added pictures for a more visual description of what’s going on. They are 6 weeks old.

        Secondly, he is much smaller than his sister. There were three babies born but sadly one didn’t make it :/ But we managed to keep the other two alive and they seem to be doing well, except for the swollen genitals part. But back to my main point, he is a lot smaller than his sister, and that’s why we can’t tell his gender yet. I was wondering if this is a big problem or if he’s just growing slower than her? They are both very friendly, loving kits. We are keeping both of them but they are supposed to be weaned in 2 weeks. Should I keep him and his sister with momma rabbit or wean him at 8 weeks like normal? I don’t see why not because this is her last and only litter. Oh yeah, and mom had trouble feeding them when they were born (first time mom) so we fed them some kitten milk replacer in the morning and flipped her on her back to let them feed off her at night so they got the right nutrition from mom, could that be a reason why he is smaller? But he has always been smaller, even at birth. Any advice would be helpful and appreciated, thank you!


      • Bam
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          Rabbits4Life: the BB forums have rules about posting baby pictures. Since you’re intending to keep both buns and your pics are not intended to show off your cute buns but actually relate to 2 medical issues, I have decided to approve them for now. I hope some of our members can offer you some ideas about your buns, I personally know nothing about baby bunnies, so I can just recommend that you book a veterinary appointment, at least for the genital-thing. I sincerely hope it’s nothing serious.

          Here are the rules about baby pics:
          Baby bunny photos are allowed under these circumstances:

          1. This is your own baby bunny that are already have or are planning to buy/adopt/acquire. Avoid posting photos of babies under 8 weeks of age.

          2. Accidental Litters – You may only post pictures of the rabbit that you are certain you will keep. Bunny must be at least 8 weeks of age in photos, and the image cannot contain any other rabbits that you are not keeping.

          While we understand that accidental litters do happen, these photo threads can distract from our main focus of helping members care for their bunnies. Therefore, we ask that if you want to show off the bunny you intend to keep, that you contain your photos and updates to a single thread in the Lounge. This enables us stay focused on what is most important to our forum and meet the needs of our members.
          3. You are foster, volunteer, or work for a certified rescue/shelter. Post in the Rescue Section only and provide the shelter name & link to the shelter in your first post. Keep updates to a single thread.

          Also, we don’t discuss intentional breeding here, so please avoid this subject.

          yours Bam


        • lillian
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            I am really unsure on what the problem could be. Its possible there is more than one issue at hand. Your best bet may just be to take the little one to the vet, including if you believe there is a possibility of infection


          • LBJ10
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              Look at those tiny ears. Could he have a dwarfism gene? Do you know what the dad looked like?

              As for his swollen genitals, I can’t say for sure since I’m not a vet. But one thing did pop into my mind and I’m wondering if he got bitten down there. It looks similar to pictures I’ve seen where a boy bunny got his bits nipped by another bunny.


            • Eepster
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                It looks like he is a dwarf and his sister isn’t.

                Sometimes genitals just get a bit irritated. If it is just irritation, it should clear up very quickly. If it persists it is more than just irritation, and should be seen by a vet.


              • jerseygirl
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                  Does he have any trouble urinating?

                  Have you checked the mums genitals? Rabbit syphilis (a bacterial infection) can be passed onto the kits and a symptom is swollen genitals.It can sometimes show up later in their life.

                  Hes such a tiny little thing! (((Vibes))) I hope he thrives.


                • LBJ10
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                    That’s a good thought Jersey. Does mom has scabs or crusty sores around her mouth or genitals?


                  • Rabbits4Life
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                      Okay first of all this was NOT an intentional breeding. And secondly, I was thinking he (we’ve been calling him Tiny Tim) could have the dwarf gene somehow but both mom and dad are pretty good sized rabbits. (Pictures below) They are both mixed breeds, I am not sure with what though. We rescued mom from a very bad situation and is doing well now. I got dad from a pet store so I have no idea where either of them originally came from. I’d actually love to know your opinions on what two breeds they look the most like, some people may be good at that. I think dad is crossed with silver fox because his hair does stay standing when brushed from tail to head and he does look similar to some of the silver fox pictures I’ve seen. He is also almost silver instead of grey. Mom has the fur of a netherland dwarf almost, with the white tipped fur (it may be hard to see in the picture) mostly on her back side and her stomach is white with some black hairs, almost grey. She has extraordinary beautiful brown eyes.

                      I have contacted a vet and made an appointment for Tiny Tim but they cant get him in until next week sometime. I’m hoping he will be okay but he has seems to have gotten worse down there. I checked mom and she is perfectly healthy, she has no crusty sores around her mouth or genitals, everything looks normal. I am just very concerned about Tiny Tim right now but other than his genital problem he is otherwise healthy looking, eating, drinking, going to the bathroom, and also playing with his sister like normal.


                    • Bam
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                        It certainly looks like Tiny Tim has a dwarf gene, but whichever parent he got it from would’ve been a dwarf too since a dwarf bunny can only have one dwarf gene, bunnies with double dwarf genes are not viable. Is it possible that the mother could’ve mated with another male just before she came to you? It is possible for bunnies (and dogs) to get kits (puppies) with different fathers in the same litter. He really is so adorable and doesn’t appear to me as a runt.


                      • Rabbits4Life
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                          No that is not possible I know the people she came from (not friends) and she was in a filthy small cage with no other rabbits around her so it’s literally impossible. The dad got into her pen one day and got her, we did not plan this. But although this was unintentional l, I wouldn’t have it any other way and I couldn’t imagine my life without my beautiful Nova (grey kit) and Tiny Tim! I love all of your answers and you’ve been very helpful. If you think of any more info feel free to let me know on this post!


                        • Rabbits4Life
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                            And thank you we think he’s adorable too!


                          • LBJ10
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                              We understand that this was unintentional. We just have to copy and paste the rules whenever this topic arises. It isn’t anything against you, we just want others who may be viewing this thread to be aware of what the rules are since we are discussing baby bunnies. I hope you understand.

                              Okay, I’m looking at dad and he has a bit of a block head. Can you get a better profile picture? And how much does he weigh? A bunny with a dwarf gene and a bunny without will still produce dwarf offspring 50% of the time since the dwarfism gene is dominant.


                            • Rabbits4Life
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                                Oh I understand I was just making that clear! Thanks!

                                I believe dad is around 3-4 pounds, but we do not have a proper scale to weigh him on. I have added more pictures of him. He also has brown around his eyes and under chin. It’s hard to see if your not in the right lighting.


                              • Rabbits4Life
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                                  We have also pushed Tiny Tim’s appointment to this Friday because he recently started bleeding down there just a bit and he’s having a LOT of clear discharge down there. I’ve been cleaning him regularly but it seems like it hurts him. Does anyone have any suggestions for cleaning him down there? I heard I should soak his bottom in some luke warm water but I’m not so sure about that… Thanks!


                                • Bam
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                                    I think I’d use cool water or even better, cool saline. Sth cool might give him some relief.
                                    And no soaking, just rinsing.


                                  • jerseygirl
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                                      Some good health {{{vibes}}} for TIny TIm!


                                    • LBJ10
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                                        I think dad is a mixed breed of some sort, but still has the dwarfism gene. His head is blocky like a dwarf rabbit and you said he’s only 3-4 lbs.


                                      • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                                          That’s crazy-they definitely don’t look like siblings-if I had to guess Tim looks like a netherland dwarf with lionhead in there. The hair definitely looks lionhead to me, especially those feet. I wonder if there is some sort of mutation that happened, because I believe like others said, you need two copies of the dwarf gene to get it expressed in phenotype, but I don’t actually know much about breeding-just think I recall is a recessive gene.

                                          Just sending some vibes and hoping your vet appointment goes well-keep us posted!


                                        • Bam
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                                            Could it be a rectal prolapse?


                                          • LBJ10
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                                              KK – Dwarf gene is dominant. Two copies is lethal (=peanuts). Mom doesn’t look dwarf, but dad has a block head so I’m thinking he might have a copy.

                                              Bam – That’s a good thought too. I wonder if Rabbits4Life can see what is exactly swollen without hurting him. There is a clear liquid present, which makes me think intestinal rather than pee.

                                              Hmm, I wonder if witch hazel would help with the swelling. It might sooth the irritated tissue too. Does anyone have experience with it?


                                            • Rabbits4Life
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                                                Well come to think of it, she gave birth to 3 kits but one didn’t make it, he was a peanut and he lived for only 5 days. Very sad, but we had a little funeral for him! But I’m glad the other two survived! I love hearing what you guys have to say! Sadly, due to the rabbit veterinarian being dropped from the vets office I was taking Tiny Tim to, we will have to locate another office that treats rabbits. I got the call this morning, and it was nearly impossible to find one the first time. I’ve heard that there is one about 2 or 3 hours away from me but haven’t been able to find their number. I will be keeping you posted.


                                              • LBJ10
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                                                  That would mean both parents would have to have the dwarf gene. Momma doesn’t look very dwarf-ish. But maybe it’s the ears throwing me off.


                                                • Kash
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                                                    It does seem like a rectal prolapse, the best thing you can do until you can get Tiny Tim to the vet is to keep the area clean and moist. If it is a rectal prolapse the vet will probably have to “tack” the intestine back in place with some surgical glue/stitches.

                                                    I have read on a few Chinchilla boards that you can attempt a reinsertion with sterile gauze/cotton ball moistened with saline solution. However, since rectal prolapse is super painful (remember, rabbits are pro at hiding pain) this might not be the best idea as it could just stress him out. If you do decide to try, I suggest doing a bit more research.

                                                    I really hope you can find a rabbit savvy vet soon!!


                                                  • Rabbits4Life
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                                                      I am very sorry and sad to say that Tiny Tim passed away this morning.. :'(


                                                    • Gina.Jenny
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                                                        binky free ((tiny tim))


                                                      • Bam
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                                                          I’m so sorry.

                                                          Binky free, Tiny Tim. You were loved.


                                                        • jerseygirl
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                                                            ***Binky Free little Sweetheart***

                                                            I’m sorry for your loss Rabbits4Life.


                                                          • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                              I’m sorry…… ((((((Binky Free Little Baby)))))


                                                            • Rabbits4Life
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                                                                We will miss him very much, he was the best rabbit out of all 6 that we have because he was so charming and sweet. When we reached our hands or arms into the cage he would always jump up onto us and extend his head for kisses. He was one of a kind and quite honestly my favorite. But i believe everything happens for a reason, and the pain of losing him is still fresh but will heal over time. We are still pretty ate up over it but he had a great, loving, spoiled 7 weeks of life! Thank you everyone for everything you’ve said. Until next time..

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                                                            Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A My 6 week old bunny has swollen genitals! And also he is much smaller than his sister? (Pictures)