Anal Gland Week

[Beka27]

We have had a few discussions recently about cleaning anal glands, so KokaneeandKahlua and myself decided that it might be a neat idea to have an Anal Gland Week November 9-15th.  We will post information and links about the task and encourage everyone who has not done this (or folks who have not done it in awhile) to make sure those glands are in tip-top shape.  Dirty glands can lead to infection, a smelly bunny, and if left long enough, the waxy material may harden and this can hurt your bunny.

Gland cleaning is part of the BinkyBunny Monthly Maintenance (https://www.binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/MonthlyMaintenance/tabid/64/Default.aspx) but it is often overlooked.  I will be the first to admit that I have never done this, but THIS IS THE WEEK.  I’ve had Meadow for going on a year and a half, so it’s time that I give it a try as well.  We can all be supportive of each other in accomplishing this task…

It is necessary to be able to put your bunny in a Trance so you can get to the scent glands without hurting your bunny (or getting hurt yourself).  You may want to practice trancing before you attempt to clean the scent glands.  This will make you more comfortable with the process.  Once you get your bunny tranced, you can look for the scent glands and familiarize yourself with that area.  Here is some info on that process:  http://www.hopperhome.com/trancing_rabbits.htm  

Once you have a handle on trancing, you can gather the supplies you will need to do the deed.

1) “q-tips” or cotton -tip applicators

2) cup of lukewarm water (disposable cup preferably)

3) a towel for your lap if you want some “added protection”

The anal glands are small slits on either side of the genitals.  If you push on them, they will open slightly and you might smell a skunky odor.  Slide the damp q-tip gently into the opening.  Do not dig, be very gentle.  If this is the first time you’ve ever done this, you might have to do it more than once if there is a lot of build-up.  Do a little bit at a time to not stress your bunny more than necessary.  Depending on your individual bunny, he/she may need cleaning every month or only two or three times a year.  The good news is: once you are familiar with the process and know how to do it properly,  it will no longer be a big deal.

(picture from the BB Monthly Maintenance page linked above)

 

Like I mentioned, I have not done this myself.  Leaders and other Experienced Bunny Slaves: if I missed something, described it incorrectly or unclearly, PLEASE post the correct info.  If you have any tips to make this easier, or if there’s something else to look for, share that as well.  I did not see many links (or any pics) of the process so post anything you might have on the topic.  The more info we have, the better prepared we will be when the time comes.

Also, I am interested in knowing how many people are planning on participating.  Will you be giving it a try? 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

One more thing you’ll want on hand is a plastic bag so you can put those stinky cuetips in the garbage immediately.

Also you may want a partner to help you (just lending hand to hold this or that while your working-only after lots of practice am I able to do this all by myself).

You may also want to add tissue to your list of things you’ll need and put some up your nose (I have a severe gag reflex so you may not need this but I find having a plugged nose makes this task much easier!!)

Trancing-> Practice Practice Practice!! I’m at home tonight so I’ll see if Dave will help video me trancing the bunnies. But here a couple of tips that will help (trust me -any bunny can be tranced. You just need to practice. They need to practice too!!)

Basically the point is to get the bunny on their back. We all know if you even tilt a bunny they start to flap their legs wildly which is no fun and dangerous.

First know your end goal -> Are you going to put the bunny upside down in your lap between your legs? Or upside down like a baby crooked in your arm?

Next hold the bunny slightly in the air. Firmly hold the front two feet with one hand and the back two feet with the other hand. Smoothly and quickly flip the bunny over into the trancing position you chose (baby position/between your legs).

Now the bunny may try to flip back over. If he does don’t worry! Calm him down with some nose pets and try again. If he doesn’t, use your calm voice and hands to soothe him. Use your hands to adjust the body so he can’t get ahold of you with a paw and flip himself back over.
Rub his nose and cheeks encouraging him to ‘trance’
He should drop his head and relax into a trance.

Practice this many times, maybe once a day, for this week so that next week you can clean the glands!!

Another tip that does help him trance, once you’ve got him over, if you lift the back end higher then the front end-that encourages them to trance out.

[LittlePuffyTail]

What a great idea! I’m gonna do all the bunnies during “the week”. I’ve just been putting it off forever because I’m terrified of doing it. I’ve never done the bunny trance either. Thanks for setting aside a special week for this, now I’m gonna move my butt and do it. Any tips for doing this with a very hairy bun? I don’t know how the heck I’m gonna find what I’m looking for on Bindi’s hairy little bum.

[Colin]

Here are some videos of trancing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER8C-H7xOoc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8RCznpya4A

In the second link, the bunny is kicking pretty hard for the first couple seconds, which you really want to avoid.
I haven’t been able to get either bunny relaxed on their backs on the ground yet, but I’ll be practicing with them this week.

[Moonlight_Wolf]

I find that Fern is actually calm enough that she does not need to be hypnotized, (I also can’t do it to Fern right, so she never gets hypnotized)

[jerseygirl]

Anal Gland Week? You Two!   I can imagine in a few years time a campaign with badges or ribbon pins to signify Anal Gland week. We could sell them on the street and raise money for…I don’t know….pegs? K&K Spa vouchers to give out?

[Beka27]

^^^i know right? i’m excited, if this works out well, we might have to make it an annual thing for the newcomers…

[bunnytowne]

Hmm that sounds just so analy exciting. Ehhehe or am I just being anal?  

Pardon my pun I just had to do it.

I could see anal gland pins ahahaa.  What a thought.  Hey how about shirts and hats too

[BunnyLiz]

O i love it! lol awesome idea! Ill give it a go and make sure mine and Hammers tranceing abilities are up to par this week.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Here’s some vids we just took of Dave trancing the buns (He shows off his mad skills in the second vid trancing Kahlua and Rupert at the same time…He was actually the first one to figure out how to trance the bunnies)

http://s213.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/kokaneeandkuhluha/?action=view&current=MVI_1867.flv

 

http://s213.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/kokaneeandkuhluha/?action=view&current=MVI_1869.flv

 

 

[somebunny]

eek! i’m scared!

[Beka27]

K&K! Dave’s got SKILLS! that’s hilarious!

[Sage Cat]

Um . . would the t-shirts have that above bunny illustration on them? He, he, he.

I do this every other month – once you know how – it’s easy.

[Ang]

i still have a hard time picking moreland up. i have done the towel over head thing cant burrito him at all. i tranced him once. the only way i can get him is to scruff him and i hate doing that. any suggestions? just keep trying????

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Yup, can you tell us how it’s hard to pick him up ie. does he flail, bite, grunt, etc?

[wendyzski]

I have had Pepper for 2 years.  I’ve checked her glands a couple of times when I had her flipped over, but there has never been any buildup (though it is kind of stinky to open them).  I guess I’m just lucky enough to have a fanatically clean bunny!

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

Anal Gland Week. Sounds sexy…

[KatnipCrzy]

Maybe you could rent Dave out for fundraising for your rescue!  He could have a French Maids outfit on and trance the bunnies.    The bunnies sure seem quick to fall under his spell!

[bunnytowne]

Oh and Dave could kiss the bunnies and see if one turns into a princess.     OH ohhhh.

lmao we are having so much fun with this. Can you imagine the looks and questions we would get from non bunny people.   Yep those bunny people are really strange.  No sweetie you cannot have a bun.  Not after meeting those crazy bunny people.

lol

[Princess*Smudge]

I have to admit I was terrified to try the glad cleaning myself but I noticed the smell and found the build up after a year and a half of never needing to clean them out. Smudge is really good about being on her back in sort of a half trance she basically just relaxes as long as I use a towel to cover her eyes (just the eyes of course not the whole head!). After I was all done I couldn’t believe I had been so scared! YAY for Anal Gland week…. although I don’t think Smudge will need doing again I’ll make sure do take a look in spirit of the week

[Beka27]

i think it’s something that we build up as a huge task in our minds, but in reality it can be done pretty easily in most cases… here’s the chance for everyone who has not tried to do this yet to give it a try…

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

^^ You hit the proverbial nail on the head!! It’s actually easy and not too stinky at all! I don’t mind doing it at all!!

[BunMumTiff]

When I first heard about all this i had Harley just new so I thought as he lets me do anything ot him right now LOL I would take a look at first I was like WTH where are these things then PEEEEE UUUUU lol I found them, they were clear as he is a baby but goodness I can only dream what they would smell like if they were full of anything lol

Oreo I have had for almost three years i think and I ams cared to look lol

[KatnipCrzy]

I did both my rabbits last night- it really is easier than trimming nails- considering there are 4 feet!  My husband was more reluctant and stubborn than the bunnies and I think he was more traumatized.  All he had to do was lay his hand on them so they still felt like they were held and not flip over as I worked on the maintenance. (glands and nail trims).

I even offered to show him a members boyfriend (Dave) trancing 2 bunnies at once to prove how not scary it is- but he was having none of it.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

LOL^^ Congrats on getting it done!! Dave was VERY traumatized the first time he saw anal glands get done!! He wouldn’t sit on or near the couch I sat on to do them for days!!

[Ang]

I get my hands on him and he runs i lift him he kicks i cant get my hands on his back legs he will eventually bite me. i try being quick but he just runs away. he totally knows it.

i will see if i can video it with my camera.  give me some tips im sure im doing it all wrong.

[KatnipCrzy]

K&K-

  Hubby even tried to convince me with the “what do the rabbits in the wild do?  No one cleans their glands for them”  (and they are also not spoiled princesses that live in my house)  and when that did not work he tried the “I have never heard of anyone doing this before” (because that would come up in a conversation that you are participating in when????).

If the bunny jumps and he is helping hold- he jumps too and lets go if his hand is by the front end of bunny/mouth- he does not want to get bit (even though he has never been bitten/ nor have I when trimming nails)    I swear he is harder to train/handle than the pets. 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Katnip-I love the ‘in the wild’ arguments Like how they don’t get spay/neutered in the wild…yeh, they also don’t live very long!!
Dave somehow caught wind that I think bunny-men are HOT (almost bought the men with bunnies calander VRRA does) and he started spending more and more time with them LOL , well that and he and Rupert bonded quickly after Rupert came home, he’s actually really into the buns now!

Angelina-I bet that would help loads if you could tape how your bunn is, then we could see and maybe offer some pointers

[Colin]

Woohoo! I managed to get each of our buns on their backs, which is a first for me. Yoshi only stayed that way for about 20 seconds before flipping himself back over. Digby lasted for a minute or two, so I was able to find his glands. I couldn’t get them to open with one hand, and I was petting his head with the other hand. Of course, when I stopped, he snapped out of it.  But hey, it’s progress! Hopefully by next week I’ll have both of them cleaned

[Beka27]

i tried to trance Mead earlier today.

um yeah.

this is gonna be fun…

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Beka how badly are you bleeding?!?!

[jerseygirl]

*head whips round* Men with bunnies calendar? Huh? Link?

By the way, I think Anal Gland Week should be up for Post of 2008, or Idea of 2008!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

LOL Jerseygirl

VRRA was selling it last year but not sure if they’re doing it again this year. They had lots of men want to be in it, but they only accepted men who had their own bunnies (many wanted to pose with their GF/BFF bunnies) So, pretty cool I’ll ask next time I chat with her if she’s doing it again

[jerseygirl]

Ok, I’ll wait to hear. Might do online search and see if any images still floating round from previous calendar. Wondered if they even have out of date stock left over. After all, I wouldn’t actually be getting it for practical purposes anyway! Plus, proceeds go to good cause.

[Balefulregards]

Holy Crap.

That was traumatic for me.

But nails are trimmed and glands are as clean as I think they can be.

Did anyone else get a “plug” of wax that just kind of …came out after you moistened it?

I am being heavily ignored and there is furious self cleaning going on from the other side of the room….

[BinkyBunny]

That “plug” of wax is normal – ACK! I gag even thinking about it because….eh gag….nevermind. My bunnies also give me the cold fuzzy shoulder but they come around and forget about the whole traumatizing experience when I say “Treat treats!” I’m their best friend again.

AWESOME THREAD by the way!!!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Yeh the plug is normal…Rupert and Chuck have an orange wax that’s like ear wax and Kahlua has much darker, solid plug type gunk…OK we are SOOO Gross!! LOL

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

So… I ventured into the forbidden zone today. Frankie behaved very well during the process. There was a little chunk of build-up I couldn’t get out, but didn’t want to scar him for life trying to pry it out. Poor Frankie twitched when I tried! All in all, it was a lot less stressful for the both of us than trimming his nails usually is, so I won’t put it off next time!

[Beka27]

i’m going to try it with Max first…

[Author]

Messages