Poor Gracie I didn’t realise this was happening so regularly. Has the vet tested any sensitivity of her hind legs? To see if she actually has full feeling there?  It’s almost like she doesn’t realise her fur is wet and that wouldn’t be normal. Do you see her attempt to try clean herself up?

I do know some members here are ver familiar with the problems you’re seeing in Gracie and will offer some suggestiongs. I’m thinking you should also contact the group on the Cats, Rabbits and More website. It’s specifically for aged and disabled rabbits. There’s a video in Diet and Care forum that’s pinned at the top of the list. If you haven’t seen it, it worth a look. It’s a seminar done by the lady who started the disabled rabbits group.

The fur loss could be some urine scald. I think you can do a sanitary shave so the fur won’t soak up the pee. With this though, you may have to apply a barrier cream to protect her skin. Not sure on that…sorry. If you’re reluctant to give her a bath everytime, you can dry off most of the pee then give her a dry bath with cornstarch.

The nub in the gland pic does look large to me. So the one on the other side is not like this?
The cecals…could that be related to her motilty?

{{{{{Gracie}}}}}

When Spockie was seven he lost use of his back legs, and therefore couldn’t hoist himself into any litter pan so was messy frequently. I did two things for him routinely from then on, bearing in mind that bunnies want to be clean. One was regular rear end baths. Gently setting him in the sink, with about an inch of warm water, a washcloth and mild unscented baby soap was good for getting him washed off. If you soak and gently remove any clumps, you can tell what is just dried poo and what may be a growth to be seen by the vet. Towel dry. Also plain corn starch is a good dry bath to absorb moist pee and then can be brushed away. or just add a bit after a bath after a towel dry to soak up any last moisture and absorb a new pee accident.

You can get a litter pan with a low sided front, so he can get in more easily. If he’s unable to get in, or get to it in time, go to Palace Pet Beds, a website that sells pieces of carpet that is made to absorb pee with geriatric pets or puppies. They are machine washable so can be changed out daily and thrown into the washer then air dried. I used several when the litter pan was no longer an option. You could also put some litter in one corner of his cage on something like a cookie sheet so he can just mosey onto it. Try to scoop any poos and cecals out from under him and pile them in that corner so he can eat those he needs without having to lift himself to get to them.

If the strange spot persists, gets bigger, or just looks odd to you, have the vet look again. Or possibly make that trip to the exotic vet and get him thoroughly checked out with an action plan of care that your local vet can implement with you. I ended up giving Spockie daily doses of vitamins, glucosamine ground up for his legs, and eventually pain meds (Metacam) to make him more comfortable daily. It was hard, but clearly it made him feel better and he had a gentle geriatric decline in my care.

Just wanted to add… it is very much about maintenance and care rather than cure when rabbits age and experience these sorts of problems. You and your hubby are certainly doing that for her. By all means certainly investigate how to help her but don’t feel you’re not doing enough. You really are!

Oh honey… you’re doing everything you can do. It might just be old age. Things like this happen with elderly buns, as with elderly people.

Keep in touch with the vet, like you’re doing, and keep her clean so she can be comfortable… like you’re doing. Basically, if I were you, I’d do all that you’re doing. I think you’re a fantastic bunny parent, and I understand how much stress and worry this is causing you.

I wish I had more advice, but I just wanted to let you know that you’re doing everything you can, even though it’s difficult and frustrating.

If you like, I can forward this thread to the RA group. I know many of the members have bunnies that need regular care due to disability, and I could get some ideas from them. Let me know

Hugs to you! Had the vet recommended any type of glucosamine supplement?

You could try applying a thin coating of a barrier ointment such as Bag Balm on her rear to keep the skin irritation down. It will briing her some relief.

Posted By skibunny8503 on 11/22/2010 08:58 AM
  Where do I find this balm to use on her skin?

At farm stores and drug stores too. People use it on their skin now also. It is antiseptic and sticky-greasy, so you may need to clip her fur short in the area where she has the chapped, dry skin.

Here you can check it out

http://www.bagbalm.com/pets.htm

I used it on Clifford when he stayed with me for bonding. He had the worst urine scald I had ever seen.

The anal gland problem actually looks like something one of my rabbits gets occasionally. He tends to get a little dry skin and tiny lumps down there if I let his glands go dirty for too long, or if some poop gets stuck in there. The skin might be a little irritated and peeling off if she’s having trouble cleaning herself off. It would probably be a good idea to get it checked out, though, just in case.

Just wanted to add in that I LOVE bag balm. Back when Mr. Bunny’s skin condition (Sebaceous Adenitis) was very severe, I would put it on his rashes and dry skin, and it would heal everything up many times faster than normal.

If you have trouble finding Bag Balm, a similar balm is “Sergeant’s Veterinary Balm”. I found mine at Wal-Mart.

It isn’t a forum, its a non-profit rabbit organization I belong to here in Oregon Lots of members, with alot of experience. I’ll send a link of this thread to them, and see if anyone can help.

I got a couple of responses for you, I will paste them into this response:

She really needs to get a thorough exam from the exotic vet, even if it’s an hour drive. Usually they are no more expensive for an office visit than a cat or a dog and at least she will get some answers. It will be the diagnositics that can add up, like X-rays and blood work.

It could be hind limb paralysis which could be caused from several things. I found this article that might help her. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=490&S=1&SourceID=43

She also mentions sludge. She could have a bladder stone lodged near the urethra which can be fatal.

She mentions loose poops. This is poopy butt. That could be from diet (not enough fiber and greens or pellets that are too rich in calcium) or parasites like coccidia.

Disabled Rabbit Help: http://www.hopperhome.com/Disabled%20Rabbit.htm
Carefully clipping the fur short in this area will help keep the poops from sticking to her bum. You can use a dry disposable razor if you are VERY careful. I have seen Dr. Ramsell do this in the office.

Urinary Tract Problems
http://www.ontariorabbits.org/health/healthinfo4.htm

It could be a lot of things, so she really need to get to a smart vet soon. Hope this helps!

That was one response. Another:

(already answered): I also love Bag Balm or the black and white tin Udder Cream…available @ Walgreens,. or a drugstore.

The little white dot on the gland is normal. IMO, it was the start of a testicle that never grew when it decided to be a female. At least my rabbits have them, and even babies do.

You are also invited to visit the RA site: http://www.rabbitadvocates.org and the facebook page. Also sending you a PM…

Corn starch is fine, yes. And I believe the udder cream you have should be as well.

The cornstarch can really freshen them up – I was surprised 1st time I did it. Even if the fur is a bit damp from pee, the starch dries and can be brushed out. I was a bit thrown by the “Cream Corn” lol. Is that the brand name perhaps – Cream?

Didn’t Gracie have treatment for coccidia before? If that’s something she’s had in the past, it’s possible it could recur when she’s run down from other health issues.

Have you checked how much an appt with the exotics vet would be? If one consult is similar to your own vet, and they’ve already referred you, I’d forgo going back to your own vet now and wait until you can go to this other one if possible. Are you due to go into your own or were you going to email them your questions?
Your vet could send on xrays and the urinalysis results so you won’t be paying for all that again.

I do agree with the RA member on looking into hindlimb paralysis. I’m sorry to say. Some of the things you’ve said and her bladder going when you’ve picked her up (and it’s not sludgy) just seems she’s not got full control in her hind end.

Paralysis can be caused from a number of things including e. cunniculi, neurological impairment, stroke, arthritis, tumors, infections, viruses…too many things really to know what would be causing Gracies.

The poopy butt could be the result of the partial paralysis in that she is not able to eat her cecals properly anymore.

Here are some articles:

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/paresis.html

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx

Glad to hear the corn starch has helped. I just use the basic, plain kind that I get at the grocery store for a few dollars.
i want to get some of that Bag Balm to keep in the house, though. Sounds good.

Actually, a price in the 70s is not that high for an exotics specialist. If you decide to go, bring a notebook or something and make a plan for an itinerary for your bunny to follow so you can do your follow ups with your current vet as needed. When it’s a special trip and a higher price, it helps to come in with written questions (Don’t leave until they’re all answered) and have detailed notes of what was said to take home. I expect a bill of about $80 from my vet for anything that may be illness related. Or less of course, but it’s good to be prepared. Investing in a visit that results in the right treatment for a long time may save you more in the long run than a trial and error form of treatment a few times later on.

Your could try starting her on Cosequin (Cosamin DS is the human version and usually cheaper).  It is a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement that helps with joint mobility and the chondroitin in Cosequin/Cosamin is believed to help with cat urinary problems.  See following link…

http://www.nutramaxlabs.com/vet/pro…-cats.aspx

You DO NOT want to use Cat Cosequin as it is liver flavored- but you can use any of the Cosequin or Cosequin DS capsules and they are unflavored.  You just open and sprinkle on damp veggies- I might recommend using a bit of watered down juice- but she has a poopy butt at times I would avoid that.  It is not a prescription and there are no side effects unless they are allergic to an ingredient (but I have not heard of that happening since it is unflavored).  It is usually cheaper to buy the human version Cosamin DS (it is EXACTLY the same as the stuff marketed for pets).  A dose would be 1/2 capsule- but you could use a whole capsule if she is fed with Archie.  It will not hurt Archie at all to have Cosamin.

It is probably not going to sure everything- but it can help with her joints without having her on prescription meds until necessary (and often the vet recommends Cosamin and pain meds at the same time) and it could help her bladder.  WalGreens often has buy one get one free on the Cosamin DS- so it is very economical.  And it really can’t hurt anything.

I talked to Sarita about this before for Maxine- but I know she was much more serious in her arthritis- but she might have some dosing tips for you.  I have not actually dosed my bunnies with it before- but I would not hesitate to if they needed it even if they are with a cagemate that gets some too.

Is it possible for you to have her films and records sent over prior to the appt?

If you are not using Cosamin or Cosequin make my NutraMax Laboratories I would consider switching.  Vitamins and supplements are not regulated by the FDA or any other government agency for quality control and that what the package says is actually the amount of supplement in the “pill”.  Nutramax has has independent labs perform tests on their products and have consistently shown that they are what they say they are.  And more importantly I have heard first hand from orthopedic vets that can tell when a dog is on Cosequin/Cosamin when they do a knee surgery as there is more joint fluid (and that is what it is supposed to do- lubricate and protect the joints).  So the fact that a surgeon can see the results (not paid for their opinion) and that Nutramax uses low molecular weight chondroitin (which is more expensive) which can have the added bladder results.  I would recommend it.  Yes, I have talked to the company rep many times- but I have also heard surgeons from the vet school in Michigan- Michigan State- say they can see a difference.  And sometimes with these type of meds it is hard to tell if there is a real difference- but these things lead me to believe in the quality of ingredients.