Help! Scent glands problem?!?

[dmh426]

I need advice ASAP.  My mini rex has rubbed the area around her genitals and scent glands so that there is no hair in the immediate area.  There is an odor.  I don’t know if this is an infection or not, but I don’t have an emergency vet in the area and the only vet around here that sees bunnies is closed till Monday. What do I do? She doesn’t seem to be acting weird or in pain, I just noticed this today.

How to tell if it is an infection? I clean her scent glands with a q tip and warm water about every 6 weeks when I also trim her nails. HELP!

[BinkyBunny]

BinkyBunny site was down for a couple of hours probably right after you posted this.  So sorry!

I know you must be worried, and I understand how upsetting this can be especially when you don’t have someone you trust as an emergency vet.    Is she eating and pooping normally?

Is she hunching or sitting in a strange position? Is her stomach making any noises at all?  Any loud noises or no noises at all? Grinding her teeth?  Does her stomach feel swollen, tight?

 Some vets when you call during their off hours provide an emergency vet number on their voice message that they recommend.  Does yours offer that?

Also, when you say rubbed, do you mean that she actually has "rubbed it" raw or does she lick that area too much?   Does she seemed to be irritated by it? Is it red?  Is it swollen? Can you tell what color her urine is?  When you say an odor, is it urine, skunky or rotten smelling.

Keep us updated.  I’ll check this post a few times tonight.

[dmh426]

Thanks Binky bunny. I called her vet, who on a recording left the numbers of two emergency vets, unfortunately I called both and neither of them deal in rabbits. I think she over groomed herself, to be honest. She is acting COMPLETELY NORMAL. Her urine is normal. Her stomach is not swollen. No noise.  She is not diarhetic. I change her litter box daily.  Nothing has changed in her diet. I just happened to notice when I tranced her earlier today that the hair in the area around her genitals and scent glands is gone. Like she pulled it out.  I did talk to a member of the HRS here who is a friend of mine and she said over that phone that bunnies are extremely clean animals by nature and if the waxy build up from her scent glands got on her fur, her reaction would be to get rid of it. So, I am hoping that is all that it is. I put warm water on a towel and gently cleaned the area, and saw no sores or evidence of anything out of the normal. Just a bald area immediately around the gential area that had not previously been bald! Like I said, she is acting naughty like she always does (**smiling**) just this bald area is worrying me. I hope that I am just  a hypochondriac, nervous mother.  Any thoughts????

[BinkyBunny]

OHhh…for some reason when I read your post, I read it as she IS acting weird and in pain.  I don’t know why I read it that way.  You said just the opposite.   That’s why I went into a whole bunch of questions.

Anyway, moment of my own insanity has passed. 

Rexes can be susceptible to bald or thin spots in certain areas.  Wherever their fur is thin already, can end up being a problem.  That’s why sore hocks can arise in a Rex even if they have soft flooring.  

If it doesn’t look red, just bald, then it could be just from how she sits and positions herself.    She also may not like anything on her rear and like your friend said, and just by cleaning so much, and rubbed the fur off.   Could she have sat on something that made her want to clean that area so much?  Do you see her cleaning that area?  if not, again it could be just how she positions herself, and if she’s in middle of a molt (???)  then this could happen.  Many times bald spots will happen in several areas during molts.

Just keep an eye on it, be sure the area doesn’t become inflamed or infected as bunny skin is very sensitive.    And hopefully soon the hair will grow back.

And actually this probably ended up being a blessing in disguise.  It is a good idea to research now and find an emergency vet that at least knows something about rabbits so that if a real emergency does happen in the future, you will have some place to go.  I have found it difficult to find an emergency vet who is a rabbit expert, but finding an emergency vet that at least can help you in the future will be a blessing.

Keep us updated on your bunny’s bum.

 

[dmh426]

So, I am happy to report that I am just a nervous mother. I took Sophie to the vet this morning and she said that rabbits are very clean animals by nature (which I knew) but that she must have gotten a discharge from her scent glands on her fur, or something else from hanging out in her litterbox and her reaction was to pull out the hair that was “Unclean”. Damn those rexes and their fur.

[BinkyBunny]

Oh Whew!  That’s great.  Yeah!!  I know you must be relieved. How cute, you have a princess bunny.

[Gravehearted]

I’m so glad to hear Sophie is ok! You did the right thing taking her in – it’s much better to have her checked if you’re concerned!

[Author]

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