Anal Glands

[Grasshopper]

Hey im new here, im on a couple other forums but have been reading this one for a while and thought i’d join. I was just wondering about how to clean my buns anal glands, and exactly where are they? I’ve had him since June 3 so im not sure how bad they are so i thought i’d try, any help?

[dmh426]

cleaning the anal glands every once in a while is very important. Believe me, when you find them, you know by the odor. The anal glands are located on either side of the genitals and you will notice a waxy build up. think of the wax build up in your ears. You’ll need a q-tip wetted with lukewarm water to wipe the anal glands clean. If you have no problems flipping your bunny onto his back and trancing him, this will be the best way to clean out the anal glands. A good rule of thumb that I follow is I trim her nails once a month and clean her anal glands at the same time. Should be done every month!

[Grasshopper]

I’ve never been able to trance him.. Just dont know how. But i do clip his nails once a month or a little more. I will check his anal glands tonight if he lets me flip him over

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

A good idea would be to look at some youtube videos on trancing. Once you really get it you can trance almost any bunny.

Here’s some info on where the anal glands area,
https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/MonthlyMaintenance/tabid/64/Default.aspx

And you’ll want some warm water and q tips handy-also probably a garbage bag so you can put the used qtips right in the garbage. I put some tissue up my nose so I don’t accidentily take a big wiff!

[Grasshopper]

Oh lol, are they really that bad smelling? oh great lol. I have a male, do females also have anal glands?

Im going to look up some videos right now!

[wendyzski]

Females have them too.

I’m lucky in that Pepper is a vain and cleanly bun and keeps hers clean all by herself.  But even clean (I check every couple of months just in case) they are still pretty whiffy when you get them open.  It’s more of a REALLY strong musky smell but you will definitely know when you find them

.

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

Check out the monthly maintenance section of the site too for a couple tips and a cartoon diagram

[Balefulregards]

Coco keeps hers fairly clean too – I find that every other month ( maybe every three) I need to get in there and remove a “plug” of build up in one or the other. But for the most part, she does a pretty good job.

And I can’t fully trance her to save my life. We do a combo bunny burrito/trance

[Grasshopper]

Okay well my mom and i are going to try and clean them tonight.. :/ Im kinda nercous cause he doesnt like to be flipped over

[BunnyMuffin]

Try to project confidence when you’re trying to flip him. I’ve learned that if you feel nervous, they definitely pick up on it and it makes it a LOT harder because they’re like “why is this nervous creature trying to flip me?!” whereas if you’re calm and confident, they go with it a lot easier. And if the trancing doesn’t work (mine don’t really go for it) try wrapping them up in a towel like a burrito and just uncovering enough bum to get to the glands.

I also find that if you can keep something pressed against those back feet (either an arm, or wrapped up in a towel) it helps them be a bit calmer – maybe they feel like they’re feet are still on solid ground, even if it is in the wrong direction! So if your Mom is helping, it should definitely be easier to have an extra arm to support those back legs and still have free hands for cleaning.

Good luck! Wear long sleeves!

[KatnipCrzy]

I have not had much luck with “trancing” my bunnies and then being able to do anything to them, so I don’t even try trancing anymore.  I just wait until hubby is home to help hold them.

The first of every month I give my dogs their Heartworm Prevention- so I made it a house rule that around the first of every month I trim bunny nails- and their scent glands I check about every 2-3 based on past experience of what I have found.  My rabbits do dig on phone books and etc, but I find that monthly nail trims keep the nails at a normal level.

I work at a vet clinic and I am always so sad when people bring their buns and guinea pigs in for nail trims when the nails are long and twisted (it must have to twist the toe too).  So I decided I will never let my buns nails get out of control.

When I release Penny after her “monthly check up”- she always thumps!  Cotton has never thumps so she just looks disapproving when I am done!

Julie

[Grasshopper]

Ugh, i just tried to flip him over and he wouldnt stop thumping I dont know how i’ll be able to do this

[BunnyMuffin]

Oh dear! I got a few thumps out of one of my bunnies yesterday too. But I didn’t let that stop me! I just let her relax for a couple of minutes then – flip!

Have you tried the bunny burrito? When I first got Noelle and was less comfortable than I am now, I’d wrap her up in a towel so all her feet feel snug and secure. And then instead of going totally horizontal, I’d sit on the floor with my back against a wall and feet flat on the floor so that my legs are bent up in front of me. That way it makes a little bunny chair and I would sit her in my lap with her back up against my thighs. Then pull out one back foot at a time to trim nails, and enough bum to check glands. She was more upright and more comfortable, and it was much less stressful. Maybe that will help some. Also, sometimes loosely covering their eyes with a towel (making sure they can breathe easily of course) can calm them down.

I also always do it in the bathroom with the door closed so that if they do jump away, it’s easy to recatch them and they know they can’t really get away. Plus Noelle refuses to go on slippery floors, so it pretty much contained her to the bathmat.

Keep us posted!

[Grasshopper]

But if i do the bunny burito his legs are out and he keeps trying to kick me.. I wont let it stop me, but i think i’ll wait till later til i can get my moms help holding him or something..

[Author]

Messages