Butt bath trauma

[Silverpaws]

First off, sorry for the long absence. Big move – long story!

So two big bits of news- Merlin has been neutered – yay! Secondly – I am in the middle of bonding him with a lovely female called Luna- Double yay!

The thing is, after lots of bonding attempts and all that, I noticed today that Merlin was suffering from wet bunny bum, despite how good he is normally with staying clean and his bathroom efforts. I didn’t know if it was a bathroom thing or to do with meeting Luna and lots of hormones, despite the fact its been a month since he was de-sexed. Either way, I knew since it was summer and fly season, it was a good idea to clean him up. I ran a bowl full of warm water and got a gentle cloth, and between the boyfriend and I, eventually managed to hold him and i was able to swab his bum. 

A few questions – One; after the initial struggling (LIKE HECK- he hates being manhandled, something to do with being a rescue I think) he just suddenly went all still and lay there all accepting, even after we finished and let go he just lay there. Was he playing possum, to get away from the mad humans and their washcloth? or have I accidentally traumatised my beloved Merlin?! He’s under the bed loafing now but is not talking to ANY of us.

Secondly, the wet butt – any theories? Bathroom habits or sexual fluids? Any comments on butt baths are welcome! 

[Sarita]

Is the wet bottom still occuring?

[Silverpaws]

i havent checked him since i washed him

[Roberta]

LOL… One of my foster rescue girls is very flighty… Sometimes she runs up to you other times she looks at you like you are about to eat her. Tonight involved the latter. trying to lift her out of the high two story cage to carry her to the play pen. The chase was on… I was gentle and calming and Nomi was having none of it… Finally she headed for the corner and simply keeled over in a flop. I scratched her tummy and her nose and stroked her ears… She wasn’t sure but had started to enjoy it…. When I laughed at her she gave me a filthy look and demanded another tummy scratch.
Mean while, wet butt… If he is feeling a bit defensive he could be sitting in his litter tray longer than usual… It’s a place they feel comfortable and in control so he could be building up a bit of a poop pile under his haunches. The change in dynamics could be causing a little stress and territorial poops whcih might be the cause.
As to butt baths, my Blosso has one in the kitchen sink… I fill it to about 3 cm, warmish water… Blossom stands in the sink with her paws on my arm whilst I wash the bits… Blosso is a very stressy bun which is why she has poopy butt. For some reason she feels in control in the sink, I suppose because it is a good height for me I am not stressed or uncomfortable and I am in control which communicates to her.

[Silverpaws]

He DOES sit in his tray a lot, even though i clan it every day…. ok. I will try that, and also the sink technique, he might refer to just sit in it.

[hannaroo]

Has there been any change to his diet? Sometimes when their food is too rich buttons doesn’t eat all his ceceals and gets them stuck on his tummy?

[JackRabbit]

Roberta — are his feet standing in the water? (taking notes in case I ever have to give a butt bath)

[Roberta]

Blossom stands in the water so her back feet get wet as the water just reaches under her tail. Her tummy and front paws stay dry as she likes to stand with her front paws on my arm which I wrap around her.

[JackRabbit]

Do you just use plain water to wash her bottom?

[Roberta]

I have a special soothing rinse given to me by one of the big bunny rescues… I only use a couple of drops though, it also helps to keep the fur from tangling too much, I rinse it off well though.

[JackRabbit]

Thanks!

[Author]

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