Cornstarch use in dry bath

[Willowwisp]

Hello all,

Recently we changed up our rabbit Lumis’s diet and she has been having really soft and sticky cecotropes. It seems they have been getting stuck to her bum and tummy fur then mashed in and drying and irritating her skin before we can get them out. We cut allot of fur to the point that we feel is safe and we have tried to give her tush (only the affected area) a light wash with warm water to which she didn’t approve of at all, giving us the cold shoulder after and fighting the entire time. We also gave a warm wet washcloth a go but it just seems to still give us trouble (it refuses to come out) and takes a little bit too much pulling and rubbing against her skin than we feel is comfy/safe for her (she’s red and irritated down there and we are worried about hurting her). I had read that some people say cornstarch baby powder is safe to use in a dry bath, then there are those who say it’s not safe and to use just straight cornstarch. All I am looking for is a safe way to remove the dried on poop that won’t hurt her until her vet appointment where we can get her diet problems resolved. ^w^

[DanaNM]

I’ve used regular cornstarch, and I know that is safe, but not sure about the baby powder.

I’m not sure how well it would work for clumped on poops, but it works wonders for sticky messes and liquids in general, so I bet it would work. I don’t know that it would work that well for dried on poop though, because the idea is that it absorbs the liquid, and then you comb out the clumps of cornstarch.

I was once caring for a bunny with serious gi issues, and he kept getting soft poops and mucous stuck all over his bum. We settled on cleaning his box 2-3 times per day, to prevent things from sticking to him as much as possible, and bum baths every 3-4 days.

It might be worth trying the bum bath again, as it would prob be most effected for stuck on poops… I used my bathroom sink, and filled it about 2 inches with warm water, and placed a towel in the water so bun would be able to stand on something less slippery. Then i supported bun’s upper quarters with one hand (and kinda leaned over him, so I could hold him against my body to secure him), and washed his bum with my other hand. Afterward dried as much as possible with a towel, then gentle blow-drying to dry the rest.

. . . 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.  

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