rabbit with a dirty bottom - how to help them?

[tatt]

We've had a rescue rabbit 3 years, we suspect he was old when we got him (said to be a stray, we suspect a breeder had dumped him). He will not eat hay - and we've tried various types - so is put out in a run every day. Lately his bottom has been getting dirtier. I have tried wet kitchen paper but that doesn't seem to remove much. His poop looks normal so it could simply be mud, but I'm getting concerned in case it persists and he gets flystrike in warmer weather.

Any suggestions or do I take him to the vet Monday? His teeth/general health have been thoroughly checked only a few weeks ago. He had a mite problem but the vet could see nothing else wrong. Can I get the stuff that guards against flystrike without seeing the vet again?

it's probably caused by too many greens. Get bowl of water and turn him on his back on your lap and wash it all off.

Diet is usually a major factor in this and/or dental problems. It is REALLY important to get his back end soaked off clean in a bowl of water. It will take time and effort if he is matted up with stuff right now - you may do best to work at it for a few minutes here and there, not letting it dry out in between so it gradually softens up and comes off....BUT....make sure the rabbit stays indoors and warm if you do it like this as they will get cold very easily if left wet and that can make them ill.

You need to limit the access to fresh feeds without stopping them totally. Look at complete pelleted diets rather than the mixture type diets so they can not selectively feed and make their diet imbalanced. Hay should continue to be offered and a little fresh grass - but again in moderation. This may mean any run you have needs to be put onto the grass for a short time only and otherwise be on patio.

One other reason this can happen is that rabbit being overweight. Your vet should be able to advise you on this. You would need to limit the food but get advice on this before doing it as rabbits need ongoing food through their intestines to keep them healthy. Stopping food for even a few hours can make them quite ill. Something along the lines of little and often, using more fibre to help bulk the diet and increasing the exercise levels - ever thought of a house rabbit? They can be litter trained and make good house pets very often - and hopping about more will help re any excess weight.

Has the mite problem been treated? The flystrike stuff is good but not a replacement for good hygiene. It is not foolproof just helpful to use the flystrike stuff. In good weather when flies are about you will need to check the rabbits bottom at least twice a day and wash off immediately if there are any faeces stuck on.

If for any reason you can not get it cleaned off properly now despite trying then please ask your vet to admit the rabbit and do it for you. It will cost but better to be sorted than the other option of a very sick rabbit with sore skin and the high risk of maggots in the longer term.

Good luck

decided to take him to the vet today as he had sore hocks. Yes the mites were treated and he recovered from that. He has had antibiotics, has probiotics for 5 days and is booked in for some dental treatment. I have to keep him dry, which means in his hutch, which he will hate.

Unfortunately I know he would starve rather than eat hay and pellets. We've tried it and I won't see him starve again. I mix a little flaked food with the pellets and then he will eat some pellets. Otherwise he tips the bowl over and ignores them completely while getting thinner. He ignores all the hay, he will eat grass that is freshly picked but once it has dried slightly he even ignores that.

We have tried him in a conservatory for a few days - he hates being inside and missed the (large) litter tray when he tries to use it. He's never been very active (he has a large covered run but prefers to stay in a corner) but isn't overweight.

He's just a difficult rabbit - and an expensive one - to look after.

My rabbit doesn't eat any hay really as he's in the house. My vet says diet wise he's ok but it could cause a problem for his teeth as they could grow too long. We feed our rabbit Supa Rabbit excell. He is prone to an upset tummy if he eats too much veg but this stuff is good.

Glad the vet saw him today. I guess you have a rabbit with fussy tastes!! Yes it is better to mix for sure than let him starve himself. Hope it all goes well with his teeth.

What ever you do, if you wash your rabbit's behind, make sure it's bone dry (hair Dryer if necessesary). I once lovingly washed my bunnies butt only to discover that by the next morning she was alive with maggots.

The vet said the damp, warm behind is a magnet to flies.Needless to say, my rabbit didn't live to tell the tale.