Weird seed-like things stuck in neutered area?

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This topic has 11sd replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 11 months ago by BinkyBunny.

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- 05/12/2013 at 3:30 PM
  reginelb
  Participant
  3 posts
  Hi everybody, this is my first post so I hope I’m posting at the right place!
  
  My bunny is 6,5 years old and has never had any troubles (knock on wood), he was neutered as soon as it was possible and there have never been in any issues. However, I got a bit worried today as I was trying to clear away some fur from is bum, and I found these weird brown things that looked almost like small seeds inside these weird openings that I’ve never really noticed before… It doesn’t look painful and he certainly doesn’t seem in pain or anything, but he displayed some discomfort when I poked around there… I’m adding a picture to see if it might help, but I’ve never heard about anything like it! By the way, it doesn’t seem like the brown seed-like things are poop, which I thought it was first… It’s very hard to explain…
  
  I’m thinking about going to the vet to check it out, but before I call for an appointment (which I can’t do until tomorrow anyway) I thought I might see if anyone has any ideas?
  
  (Sorry if the pictures are weird, something happened when I uploaded them?)
- 05/13/2013 at 12:42 AM
  Roberta
  Participant
  4355 posts
  Yep… Exactly what I suspected… His anal glands need cleaning… Have you ever done this before ? Its quite easy and there are several videos on You Tube with a step by step guide. All you need is a little warm water and some cotton buds…
  Some bunnies get anal build up quicker than others. Commonly they are cleaned on a 3 monthly basis.
- 05/13/2013 at 1:19 AM
  Roberta
  Participant
  4355 posts
  This page should help too… It’s toward the bottom (no pun intended)
  https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/CategoryID/21/PID/940/Default.aspx
  It wouldn’t hurt to make a vet appointment and have them show you how and just check the glands too.
- 05/13/2013 at 2:20 AM
  reginelb
  Participant
  3 posts
  Thank you so much!! I’m devastated that I’ve never heard of this before, and I guess that’s why it’s so developed now. I think I’ll take him to the vet to see how to do it properly and check that everything’s fine, especially since he displays some discomfort when I poke around there… (Understandably!) Again, thank you so much for replying!
- 05/13/2013 at 2:41 AM
  BabyD
  Participant
  50 posts
  I am wondering, do female bunnies have these anal glands too?
- 05/13/2013 at 3:07 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17032 posts
  Yes baby D, female rabbits have them as well.
- 05/13/2013 at 3:53 AM
  BabyD
  Participant
  50 posts
  Yes baby D, female rabbits have them as well.
  
  Oh, thanks for the info, bam.
  I seriously did not know about this one before.
  I should do a thorough check up on my bunny too next time.
- 05/13/2013 at 9:32 AM
  Elrohwen
  Participant
  7318 posts
  Yep, anal glands.
  
  Don’t beat yourself up though – I have only cleaned them once on my buns and I’ve had them for 4 years. I have had vets tell me that it’s really not necessary to clean them often unless there is obviously a build up. Some bunnies are just very clean down there and don’t have an issue.
- 05/13/2013 at 1:34 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Welcome : )
  
  Could we please see more photos of Tøffen? He looks like a cutie in your signature picture!
- 05/14/2013 at 11:56 AM
  reginelb
  Participant
  3 posts
  Of course! He’s the cutest! Such a good-natured little (or, well, quite big now…) bunny! He has a temper though, and gets very huffy if I’m not home as much as I use to and when I’ve been away on vacation he is always mad at me for leaving him, but once I lift him up and pet him he clambers on to me and refuses to let go. He’s really the best!!
- 05/14/2013 at 6:22 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Ahhhhh! How do you get anything done? I wouldn’t be able to stop looking at him.
  He is gorgeous!!
  
  Loving the one in the Christmas hoodie also. Thanks for sharing these.
- 05/19/2013 at 3:52 AM
  BinkyBunny
  Moderator
  8776 posts
  My vet does recommend checking them to see if they do need cleaned. Once you get used to how often your bunny builds up this stuff, then you can just check and clean for your situation. For example, I used to check Vivian’s glands once a month as recommended, and then over time, I determined that her glands only need cleaning a few times a year. The waxy substance that comes from it can sometimes build up and harden in some bunnies. Though it’s less common, if it builds up too much and doesn’t clear out on it’s own, it can cause blockage of glands and infection. Some bunnies build up the waxy stuff more than others as you may be finding out!
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