Consistent wet tail?

[Miswhitness]

Hi everyone, this is my first post! I’ve been lurking for a while now. 

My rabbit called “Mal” has a consistent problem with messy bottom and wet feet. Both the underside of her tail and her feet are wet with urine, and emit a foul odor. She’s always been stained since she is white but these days she’s wet. I have given her butt baths, but it does not eliminate the issue. Please keep in mind I can’t afford to take her to a vet at the moment, which I know is inevitable. Any advice?? Some relevant information for you:



*Although I use female pronouns because i’m in denial, my rabbit is a male.  Sorry for the confusion. (Explanation in bio) 

*Neutered

*Cage-free and litterbox-trained

*I use a puppy pee pad as the base of her litterbox, and paper litter/hay on top. Replace daily.

*There have been no changes in her litter set up since day 1. 

*Approximately 6 months old 

*Eating cecals as normal 

*Doesn’t seem to be in pain, or otherwise off in any way 

*Healthy weight

*She has been randomly marking my room with urine but she has never been perfect in that regard. (Could this be an incontinence issue?) 



Thanks in advance and much love!

[Wick & Fable]

I’d switch to a pellet/granule litter and use a litter screen to minimize time standing in urine soaked litter. Your rabbit either has a bladder problem or has some behavioral issue, potentially rooted to another health condition, which causes poor grooming habits. A vet visit as soon as your able is best. Please observe him while he’s urinating to see if there’s a struggle. Does his genital area look irritated?

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.

[Miswhitness]

Hi Wick, 

Thanks so much for your prompt and informative response. I will actually take your advice and switch litters/use a litter screen. Couple questions: when you say behavioral issue are you referring to the fact that he doesn’t groom himself properly? What does a struggle to urinate look like in rabbits? He seems to lift his tail normally and expel a decent amount of urine. I just picked her up to see the genital area but she’s very fluffy so I couldn’t get the best look. Nothing caught my eye, though. 

[Deleted User]

I know this might not relate directly to your post but I can see in your bio that you have put avocado as one of your buns favourite foods. Avocado is toxic to bunnies and can be fatal. You mentioned you cannot afford vet care at the moment so it would probably be best to eliminate anything that could potentially contribute to poor health or emergencies. I hope there’s no offence taken by my reply I just thought I would point it out

[Miswhitness]

Thanks so much for taking the time to read her bio and give advice. I had no idea! Will not be giving her avocado again! 

[Sirius&Luna]

Is he drinking a lot of water? When this happened to one of my bunnies he had a kidney infection. It really is important that he sees a vet as soon as possible as its likely he needs antibiotics.

He also might end up with urine scald on his legs/bum. I was advised by my vet to put Sudocreme (for baby nappy rash) on his legs when they looked sore. You need to make sure that he doesn’t lick it off.

[[DISCLAIMER: This was a few years ago with one of my old bunnies. I realise now the vet wasn’t particularly bunny-savvy, so i don’t know if anyone else can confirm that Sudocreme is bunny safe]/b]

[Miswhitness]

My rabbit has always been a thirsty one  

The past few days he is stained and pretty smelly if you get up close but no longer wet at all. It doesn’t look dirty anymore really, just stained. (no black/brown clumps, or matting). He is eating hay more regularly and poops have been more abundant. He also seems to be grooming down there more often, but maybe that’s just my imagination. I will look into purchasing that cream just in case. I was considering shaving the fur but after seeing his reaction to butt baths, i’m hesitant to traumatize my baby again! (Maybe i’ll just trim with scissors?). Will be getting a check up asap. Anyway, thanks for your input! It is much appreciated. 

[LBJ10]

Does he have poopy butt? Or just a wet bottom?

[Author]

Messages