The Mystery of the Messy Bottom

[sir-rabbit-pants]

Flower has a messy bottom.  Flower has had a messy bottom off and on since I adopted her.  Her bottom gets so matted that she ends up with sores that open and bleed. 

The vet has done tests for a UTI (that are usually a very slight positive) and she’s been on meds for a UTI but it doesn’t seem to make a difference. I’ve tried herbal remedies; still her bottom is messy.  I’ve determined that the puddles of pee are not from Flower, but from her partner.  I’m beginning to wonder if the mattes are not caused by urine issues but that there are mattes that result in urine scald.

I’ve seen comments before about rabbits that are unable to clean their bottoms due to health issues, but I frequently see her grooming down there.  Flower is a mini-lop who has A LOT of hair (at least compared to her partner who is a Netherland Dwarf).  I wonder if she’s trying to clean herself but there’s so much hair, it just makes it worse. I try to remove the mattes at least monthly, but Flower is so averse to being turned over that it becomes a whole production.  When she’s gone into the vet her bottom usually gets shaved/heavily trimmed and that seems to improve the situation.  I wonder if a regular trim down there would resolve the situation. 

Has anybody had a similar problem?  Would a regular trim work?  Any suggestions on how exactly to do that without hurting her?

[cooperocf]

My rabbit has seemed to have a slightly messy bottom too. It gets … not matted, but seems to dry wet and then be impossible to groom and fix. I feel like the only solution would be to give bunny a bath, but sadly bunnies can’t get baths as I’m sure you know. My rabbit must be part Dutch if you look at my avatar so he doesn’t have that much hair. And I can’t fix it because when I try to put his brush there, just the top little bit of the dried wet, matted fur he runs away. Also he hates being picked up, doesn’t tolerate it one bit so I am mostly positive that turning him over for me wouldn’t work either.

I would think that a regular trim actually might work, depending on how much you decide to clip.
To do it without hurting her, I would probably get somebody to help me if I need it, which would most likely be a friend if they come over or either of my parents. Then I would try to burrito wrap my rabbit and have whoever is with me pull the blanket or towel up a little bit to his bum and hold him slightly so he couldn’t jump off, then try to clip him.

Sorry I don’t have much advice, I only have this problem too and wanted to share. I’m probably gonna watch this topic so maybe I can learn from it too.

Good luck!

[Elrohwen]

My Otto has always been a little messy, though no where near as bad as your girl sounds. This summer he had an xray during a bout of stasis, and the vet noticed that he has fairly advanced arthritis in his back (for a 4 year old bun). He’s able to jump on the couch, and does clean himself most of the time, so I wonder if it’s just bad enough that he can’t clean fully.

I would ask your vet if they can do a sanitary trim. Personally I would be afraid to do anything down there except maybe with blunt scissors.

[LittlePuffyTail]

You could ask your vet if it would be a good idea for you to buy a small pet trimmer. I use a batter powered puppy trimmer for my lop, as he sometimes get cecals and mats in his bum hair.

You could also try applying a bit of cornstarch to help absorb wetness.

Is it possible your other bun is dealing with urinary health issues as the reason he ‘s leaving puddles?

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