Dirty/Crusty Bottom

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 7sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 1 month ago by Borya02.

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- 10/16/2022 at 4:18 AM
  swill
  Participant
  20 posts
  Hi there. Looking for a little advice as the information I’m getting online could be several things and there’s not much I’m able to ascertain from it at the moment.
  
  We have four rabbits, two indoor and two outdoor and today was time for a bum check. Admittedly, we haven’t done this for a while, probably too long if I’m being honest (we’ve rectified that and have a plan going forward).
  
  Our first rabbit is an indoor bunny and when we were grooming her bum and removing any matting, we noticed yellow crusty substances around her bottom (I won’t be too graphic but you can imagine exactly where). She didn’t seem too disturbed by it and let us clean it, so using a comb, wipes and patience, we got rid of it all and she was squeaky clean.
  
  However, the colour and location of it worried us, so we started Googling what it could be. Vaginal discharge was mentioned, and possible signs of infection leading to cancer etc, but she didn’t have any of the other symptoms that go along with those, like lethargy or not going to the toilet etc.
  
  Anyway, we had a look at our other 3 bunnies and all three were the same (albeit in much smaller amounts) but they all had some sort of yellow crust around that area, which we cleaned off. It wasn’t just yellow colouring, it was scab-like.
  
  The fact that all of them had it makes us wonder if it’s just maybe something related to urine and a dirty bottom, as we haven’t had a proper clean of that area for a while (we hold our hands up, we should have done it sooner).
  
  So, I wanted a little advice before I book our first into the vet first thing Monday morning. As all four bunnies have it (they live separate lives so it’s not like it would have been passed between the pairs), their personalities haven’t changed and they were quite happy to let us clean that area, so maybe it’s not as worrying as we first feared.
  
  Sorry for the wall of text, wanted to get as much info as possible in. If anyone has experienced similar, let me know and we will make sure we get them looked at by the vets. Or continue to monitor it with more regular checkups.
  
  Thanks
- 10/16/2022 at 4:52 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17026 posts
  Hmm… assuming it isn’t cause by an infection (yeast, syphilis, etc.) or sludge, then it could be environmental. What type of litter are you using? What are their setups like?
- 10/17/2022 at 12:18 AM
  swill
  Participant
  20 posts
  All four bunnies have access to two standard litter trays lined with sawdust (which we’ve used for the past four years without issue) and a mixture of meadow and timothy hay.
  
  Indoor are free roam so are quite clean (although it was one of our indoors that had it the worst). Outdoor are also free roam in the garden but have a chicken coop and run to find shelter, the indoor area is also lined with the same sawdust.
  
  Do you think it’s worth getting an antibiotic in? It didn’t look ‘normal’ but again there’s zero difference in their personalities that suggests they aren’t even inconvenienced by it.
  
  Thanks
- 10/17/2022 at 12:41 AM
  swill
  Participant
  20 posts
  I should have added in my original post that it’s male & female indoor and male & female outdoor and all four had some form of this.
  
  All rabbits are up to date with their annual jabs for things like Mxyo etc.
- 10/17/2022 at 4:55 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17026 posts
  And it’s not the sawdust getting wet and then sticking to their fur?
- 10/18/2022 at 8:10 AM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9054 posts
  I agree it sounds like it could be environmental since you mentioned you lapsed a bit on cleaning. Sawdust is not a great option for bedding as the dust itself could irritate their respiratory tract, and woods like pine have aromatic compounds that are harmful to buns over time.
  
  I might try switching to something like pine stall pellets (which are safe because they have been kiln dried) and keep their areas very clean for a while and see if it improves on it’s own. I use stall pellets with a screen over them, and layer of hay on top to protect their feet.
  
  . . . 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.
- 10/19/2022 at 12:26 AM
  swill
  Participant
  20 posts
  Thanks, both. It was definitely scab-like, as opposed to sawdust sticking to them. I’ve been checking them every day since the post and there’s no more evidence of it, but a little bit of staining around that area (very very minor). The sawdust shavings are fairly large, and like you mentioned, Dana, I do the same where I place a good pile of hay inside the tray as well as the rack, which often becomes a protective layer.
  
  I might give an alternative a go (I wish I hadn’t just bought 5KG of the current stuff) and see how they get on. Thanks for the advice. If it comes back, I’ll get them to the vet.
- 10/20/2022 at 7:32 AM
  Borya02
  Participant
  93 posts
  Hey I don’t know if this will be useful, but wanted to add, in case it does end up being from the litter, you might try switching to a grated litter pan , so that they aren’t directly sitting on the dirty litter. I was always having to take my rabbit in for sanitary shaves because she would sit in the litter pan or even sleep in there. once i gave her a grated little pan she no longer had that issue. For example of what i’m talking about you can google Petmate Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Little Box. I tried out another one recently called “Van Ness Framed Sifting Litter Cat Pan” because it was cheaper, but I don’t think she finds it as comfortable as the former.
  
  I hope everything turns out well. Not trying to say this is the cause, I just wanted to throw it out there, i think these sifting pans are just good to know about in general for some rabbits.
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