Matted tail from persistent incontinence, how to clean.

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This topic has 6sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 7 months ago by LBJ10.

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- 04/21/2022 at 6:51 PM
  Adam
  Participant
  98 posts
  So despite a lot of effort from myself and our vet, my girl has had incontinence and loose stool for well over a year and it’s created a permanent matting of her tail that has resisted baby shampoo, pet dry shampoo, vinegar, olive oil, diaper cream, lots of slicker brushing, butt baths, etc. And some of these are not easy to get her to cooperate with.
  
  I would like to use something that could break up the gunk that has built up, but also be okay for her sensitive skin from possible scald.
  
  I’ve trimmed the affected fur as short as I was able to, but now I wonder if that was a mistake. I constantly feel like I’m doing the wrong thing. Let me know if you know what steps to take.
- 04/22/2022 at 11:31 AM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5813 posts
  Background information on this can be found here: https://binkybunny.com/forums/topic/loose-stool-incontinence-intermittently-for-the-last-year/
  
  I’m very sorry to hear you and your rabbit are going through this. Sanitary shaves (i.e., clipping fur) is something that some rabbit owners do need to do in order to keep things clean and more manageable for both themselves and the rabbit’s well-being.
  
  What reason(s) are you thinking that trimming the affected fur is a mistake?
  
  In case you haven’t seen it yet, here is a great resource on various rabbit-safe cleaning methods: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Bathing_rabbits
  .. and here is some guidance on fur clipping: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Grooming#Trimming_fur
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
  - 04/22/2022 at 11:58 AM
    Adam
    Participant
    98 posts
    “What reason(s) are you thinking that trimming the affected fur is a mistake?”
    
    Because I feel like maybe it has given more exposure to the skin for getting urine scald.
    
    Thanks for the links, I will check them out.
- 04/22/2022 at 11:56 AM
  Ellie from The Netherlands
  Participant
  2512 posts
  Oh that’s an awful situation, but it’s great to see that you’re so dedicated to giving her all the best 🙂
  
  A friend of mine had this problem too with her senior rabbit. She was a long-haired rabbit who had aggression issues and was very difficult to groom. They discussed it with the vet and ended up shaving her problem areas.
  
  The skin was then treated with an ointment containing zinc oxide. She didn’t lick it, so it caused no problems. The fatty cream protects the skin against the caustic urine.
  
  We’ve had good results with zinc oxide cream for sore hocks as well: it draws excess fluids from the skin and hardens it a little. It’s why they use it for diaper irritation as well.
  
  Ask your vet about this combination, I hope it’ll give her some results!
  - 04/22/2022 at 12:01 PM
    Adam
    Participant
    98 posts
    I haven’t been able to figure out how to really shave her safely, only trim. The tail fur had hardened together so firmly that even trimming was not doable. The cream I have doesn’t have zinc oxide so I don’t know anything about that yet. I will do some checking.
  - 04/22/2022 at 12:15 PM
    Ellie from The Netherlands
    Participant
    2512 posts
    Yes, discuss it with your vet and see what you can do. She didn’t shave it herself either, but a pet trimmer did it for her. The vet often knows a good pet trimmer too.
- 04/23/2022 at 6:15 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17026 posts
  Can your vet do it? That would probably be safer. Shaving is actually good because it is the moisture constantly trapped in the fur that causes the problem. If it is shaved, then things can at least air out.
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