I need advice too please

Hello ladies, I wondered if you could point me in the right direction as I have a bit of a problem. Despite cutting down on Holly's food, she is getting a problem where her pellet poos are sticking to her bottom. I have cut out the fruit and she only as a piece of pepper and cucumber now with her daily salad. She is perfectly fine in herself so I know she isn't ill but she has a bit of a dirty bottom, bob and trousers. It doesn't help that she has taken to lying in her box so her sides are all wee-weey.

I think the only option is to give her a botty bath in the sink with Paul's help. She is going to absolutely hate it but there is too much just to turn her over and pluck at it and that will cause her even more distress as she is a very spooky bun anyway. I also don't want her to get cold as bunny fur is very hard to dry. I could ask the vet nurses to do it when she has her check-up at the end of the month but that seems rather a long time to wait. Any ideas please ladies? Thanks a million.

hugs
JO xx

You could cut the salad out completely for a few days to see what happens but I'd be inclined to bring her vet check-up nearer and ask them to do a thorough check of her hips and spine for signs of arthritis. Lying in her litter box could be a sign of reluctance to move as can the dirty bot.... she may be finding reaching under to take a pellet is becoming painful. It maybe an X-ray is needed to give a clear picture of arthritis if the vet suspects that's what wrong and if so you could get them to clean her up while she's affected by the G.A..
Hope she is OK soon.

A lot of vets use a bunny box for xrays now rather than G.A.
So the rabbits are completely concious.

The vets will be able to help clean her even consciously if your insured it wont be covered .

Has there been any chnage in her diet? Is she over weight? If not then I'm thinking the same as woodwench l, possible arthritis.
Let us know how you get on

Xxx

Thank you Woodwench hunni, I think I will cut the salad out altogether and see how it goes, or only put the tiniest amount in so she still knows she is having some. It will be a good idea to take her to the vets even though she is generally on top form.

I have to admit she is a little overweight Gemma sweetie and we are addressing this also. She tries to pinch the cat's biscuits and now we have to pick them up every time puss-puss leaves his bowl. There has been no change in her diet so it may well be arthritis, I try not to think of the age she is.

I will keep you updated ladies and thank you again.

Hugs
JO xx

How is she?

I can only echo what the other ladies have said.

I would cut out the cucumber. It's a hell of a lot of water!

I know I don't need to tell you this but it's starting to warm up. Have you considered rear guard to protect her from flystrike?

We have this problem with Philip, he HATES botty baths and its very stressful for him but sometimes necessary. I feel awful having to do it but have no option I had the vet clip his bum last night so theres less fluff for the poos to stick to. Our boys get no fruit/veg at all, just the odd dandelion leaf/small handful of grass (daily they just get a few pellets and ad lib hay) to try and keep Philip as clean as possible :/
Good luck with Holly, I hope you manage to find a solution with her diet

Gayle x