Honestly it’s hard to say just by your description.

Are you thinking she may have a urinary tract infection?

Usually if there is a change in litter box habits that is a sign of a urinary tract infection.

How old is she and has she been spayed?

Would the breeder have spayed her? That would not be normal of a breeder but if she came from a rescue she may have been spayed otherwise I would imagine that you would know for sure.

Or did your parents have her spayed?

they say “Why should we? She’s acting perfectly normal and happy. If something was wrong with her, she would let us know.”

Oh, I’m sorry. You must be frustrated. Thing is, she already is showing that something is wrong. Her genitals are inflamed and she’s urinating outside of her box. If she’s been a star about litter habits but now is suddenly not using it all the time, then that’s her showing that something is wrong.  Rabbits tend to hide illness. Because they are a prey animal, illness means weakness and that makes them more vulnerable to predators. So they instinctive hide illness. You have to be on alert for subtle signs – as I think you have done.   I hope your parents can come to understand this. If you can get onto this early it may be a simple matter to clear up. If it’s not attended, it may become more difficult and more expensive to remedy. Maybe discuss that with your parents too and hopefully they’ll see your point.

Good luck and healing (((vibes))) for your little white rex girl!

We rabbit slaves really understand how watching closely with things is VERY important. You’ve done an excellent job in spotting this and I am sorry that you are stuck in a situation where you are just  trying to get the care your bunny needs.   It might be that your parents just need some help fully understanding what’ may really be going on, so I hope we can help you with that.. 

The reason that watching closely to changes is so important is  that rabbits are prey animals, and it is not in their nature to show discomfort in an obvious way.  By the time her behavior reflects that she is in pain, it can be very serious. With rabbits it is always better catch things as early as possible. The fact that she is spending more time in her litterbox, and her girlybunny parts are red means there is something going on that should be seen by a vet.  

 If it is a UTI, it will not go away, it will get worse. It’s not the kind of thing you want to “wait and see” until a bunny shows signs of discomfort. If you wait until your rabbit shows more signs than what you’ve described, then that puts a rabbit at risk. (they do not handle discomfort, pain, and stress well at all)

Are your parents concerned about the financial aspect of it, or is it just that at this point it just extra time and effort that they feel is unnecessary. But let them know that with rabbits, though they can hide problems rather well, it is very important to notice changes because they will not act the same way other animals, who may be more vocal, do. I hope that they will reconsider as your bunny may need treatment.

It also sounds like, with their attitude especially, that she’s due for a check up. You can tell them that while it’s minor at this point, she gives every indication that there’s something wrong. You are not at all sure that she’s been spayed. So one visit to the vet would determine if she has a problem from the redness and behavior change, the vet can see if she’s been spayed, and if she hasn’t, it’s definitely time. It will prevent even more serious illness from happening. Hopefully she has been but it’s a really good time to find out for sure and a really good excuse to go ahead and get her there.

When you get a chance, try to keep us updated with what happens with this situation.

Perhaps you could explain to your parents that althugh they think she would be acting ill if something was wrong, rabbits are prey animals and hide thier illness. So with these little indications (Redness, more pottying) she IS telling you something is wrong.

Any update yet?

tell your parents, that prey animals ofter try hide illness to stop predtors from eating them. so, she WOULD be TRYING to ACT NORMAL even if SHE WAS HURT. also tell your mum that you no more about bunnies then they do. i have a mum like that. always thinks she knows best :/ ..

wishing all the best,

Ella,
Buttons and lindt.