Rabbit urinating all over the place and himself

[Bun]

I found my rabbit on the street 8 months ago. The first few months I had him he was well litter box trained and I let him run around the house. No problems. I moved to a new place 4 months ago and since then he’s been wetting himself. I took him to the vet a few times and had antibiotics given to him “just in case” but the vet is convinced this is all behavioral and I tend to agree. Sometimes he’ll not wet himself for a few days then there are days he’s constantly wetting himself. I elevated him off the floor in his cage and somehow he still gets wet. He even gets soaked above his tail, It’s a mystery how it gets there. This whole week I didn’t let him out of his cage and he wet himself every day. I let him out to run today and he peed outside his cage which he rarely does. I can’t keep cleaning him and his cage every day.. Why is he doing this and what do I do?

[sarahthegemini]

Rabbits that are having behavioural problems may pee everywhere but they wouldn’t pee on themselves. I think you should get a 2nd opinion.

[sarahthegemini]

Also you shouldn’t be keeping him in his cage for a week with no exercise time.

[Doodler]

I agree that wetting himself does not sound behavioral and would also get a second opinion. I would talk to your vet about the possibility of e.cuniculi. This is very common and can cause these symptoms. Antibiotics also wouldn’t help if that is what it is.

Good luck with him!  I know that has to be frustrating.

[Bun]

Thanks! I asked my vet about e.cuniculi and he didn’t seem concerned about it, maybe because my rabbit previously had blood work done and his liver results came back ok. I’d love to take him for a second opinion but I literally can’t find anyone else who sees rabbits if the urinating was due to an illness, wouldn’t I have seen a decline in his health after 4+ months? I know rabbits hide their illnesses but he really looks and acts great otherwise

[Sirius&Luna]

Yeah, he sounds sick. Rabbits don’t pee on themselves to make a point. EC results often produce false negatives, so a previous test doesn’t necessarily mean he doesn’t have it.

What country do you live in? There’s lists of specialist rabbit vets for a few countries that I know of

[Doodler]

A liver test alone won’t rule out EC. There is a specific test but it’s not always reliable because as Sirius&Luna says there can be false negatives. Symptoms can come out of nowhere. They can also be carriers and have no symptoms.

[Asriel and Bombur]

Resident urine EC expert speaking! Bombur has chronic EC that presents itself with urinary symptoms. When he’s having an active flareup he will soil himself and will pee every where and dribble urine. He requires a sanitary shave once a month during a flareup. Ask to treat with a 28 day course of Panacur. This won’t cure him, as EC can never be cured, but if his symptoms aren’t managed it can escalate into the neurological symptoms that are more common. Panacur can take some time to work, and if your bun has been 4 months with this, he could need 2 doses to see a change. The drug can be a little slow to work, so you will need to be patient.

EC doesn’t show a decline in health. If you looked at Bombur he would look like a perfectly normal, healthy, happy bunny. You can’t tell that he soils himself frequently or dribbles. You’d see a very active and loving bunny who loves to gobble food like there’s no tomorrow. EC isn’t a liver test or test of liver function. EC can present itself in a variety of ways from urinary issues, to frequent GI Stasis, to head tilt.

[Bun]

Thank you! I live in Miami, Fl. USA. I was referred to the H.A.R.E list but the people listed in my area have either closed up or don’t actually see rabbits. If you have an additional list, that would be great!

[Bun]

Thank you! I live in Miami, Fl. USA. I was referred to the H.A.R.E list but the people listed in my area have either closed up or don’t actually see rabbits. If you have an additional list, that would be great!

[Bun]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write all that out this is very helpful

[Bun]

Thank you!!!

[Author]

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