Help! I don’t know what to do!

[Nibbles_NZ]

My new dutch baby has private problems! First, when I got her (thinking she may be a he now) the private area looked as though it just wasn’t there yet. I don’t know how to explain it. I’ll try. Okay, you know how male and females both poke out when you press that area? Nothing poked out at all. It looked like the skin there just hadn’t opened yet…you know, for something to poke out. Probably doesn’t make any sense. Anyway, I looked there tonight and noticed some puss. Not a lot. There is no visible swelling at all and “she” doesn’t act in pain. I wetted a qtip with warm water and tried to clean it a little to see what was going on and it started to bleed a little. Again, just a little. I don’t know what it going on. “She doesn’t act uncomfortable with it unless you mess with it. Then, I can tell it hurts. What do I do? I know she needs to see a vet but tomorrow is Saturday! I probably won’t be able to get her in at least until late next week. Is there any kind of antiseptic I can put on it to keep it clean and from getting worse? I am making sure her litter box is clean at all times to prevent any bacteria from coming in contact with it. What can I do for “her”?

[BinkyBunny]

You said she doesn’t act in pain, but then later you say you can tell it hurts. What is her behavior regarding this?

I know you said you may not be able to get her in until late next week, but if it is an infection of some sort — especially if is is an abscess (which can grow very quickly and cause serious problems) then I would try to get her in asap.

It’s impossible to know what is really going on — abscess, vent disease(treatable),  or  ??? so even if there was some topical stuff to put on like neosporin (WITHOUT the pain meds included) that wouldn’t help at all with what I’ve mentioned.

Do you have a rabbit-savvy vet? I have two vets I rely on and both are open on Saturdays as part of their regular hours, so you might double check with your regular vet office. Do you have a rabbit-savvy vet you normally see?

I’m sorry, I know this is not very comforting.

Also— just making sure about something. Have your male and she been together much?

[Nibbles_NZ]

I meant she isn’t acting any different…like she is in pain. When you mess with it, yes, you can tell it hurts her. I wouldn’t have even known anything was wrong had I not looked there. We have one rabbit vet here. I live in a metro area so that vet is very busy. They are only open until noon on Saturday. It really looks like the genitals are underdeveloped. Like there is something (a penis or a vulva) trying to poke out but can’t because there is a thin layer of skin blocking it. That’s exactly what it looks like to me. Then, right under that thin layer of skin is a little bit of puss. I know it sounds wierd but I can’t explain it any other way.

[BinkyBunny]

If I were you, I would call your vet first thing in the morning and see if they have any drop in times or if they can see your bunny and let them know she has “pus” or some sort of abscess on her genitals.

With rabbit genitals, normally they are pretty hidden in a sense. Normally nothing really “pokes” out unless you pull it back, so if you are seeing something “seemingly” trying to come out even when you are not pressing on it, then it could very well be an abscess.  (especially if there i s pus) Obviously, very hard to know for sure here and so  I again, recommend calling your vet first thing.

EDITED TO ADD:  Just was thinking so do you mean that when pull back to try and see figure out the gender it doesn’t pop out because a thin layer is blocking it?  IF that is the case, that sounds even more critical — has your bunny been able urinate?  Have you noticed any trouble with this?

[Nibbles_NZ]

I was planning on calling first thing. I am not trying to play vet here. I just had a feeling they were going to tell me they couldn’t get me in for a few days that’s all. I definetly don’t want my baby bun to be any kind of pain Thanks for trying

[BinkyBunny]

Oops — I posted the “EDITED TO ADD” to my previous post — so you may want to check that out.

Good luck with tomorrow. Let them know there was pus and blood.  That may cue them to more of an emergency. Sorry that I couldn’t be of more help to make your bunny more comfortable before then.   

Keep us udpated.

Sending healing vibes!

[Nibbles_NZ]

Yes it looked like a thin layer was blocking it. It is seperating now though. I think that was why there was a little pus and blood. She has been urinating without complication. She has even litter trained herself…in that sense. She still poops on the floor of her pen but she’s getting better. Anyway, I cleaned it last night with a Qtip and put antiotic ointment on it. When I put the Qtip there, the pus came out. Sorry, I know, it’s gross. I checked her today and it looks A LOT better! I’m still going to make sure but I am not as worried as I was. Apparently this isn’t that uncommon with baby bunnies- genital inflammation. I think after she is checked out, she will be just fine

[BinkyBunny]

What ended up happening with the vet?

[RabbitPam]

Hi,
Were you able to get hold of your vet for an appointment? How is bunny today? I would at the least try to take her in as an emergency tomorrow morning (Monday) if you weren’t able to get seen sooner anywhere. Sometimes when you just stop by at the opening hour the vet can take a quick look, and if it’s necessary, you might be able to leave the bunny there for the day so the vet can check it out at her convenience, then call you.

[Nibbles_NZ]

Sorry I haven’t been on lately. I cleaned it with a warm Q tip and put some ointment on it and it went away over night! She is good as new! There is no more layer covering her genitals so now I can tell she is a female! I check her everyday to make sure. I am so glad she is okay. I was worred.

[Monkeybun]

Still should take her in, blood and pus shouldn’t be ignored.

[Nibbles_NZ]

I’m not ignoring it. I talked to the vet and they said that on young baby rabbits, this is common. They said that I did everything they would have done and if I see any more signs at all, bring her in but as of now, there is no reason to until her check up next week.

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