HELP, VERY CONCERNED- Im worried about my bunnys rectum

Question
Hi! I hope you can help me with my sweet bunny, Honey. My bunny is about 8 years old and I've had her almost a year. I was checking her bottom last night, I need to wipe her fur for her but that's not my concern. I saw thin flakes of poop just inside her rectal area. I carefully picked some out but then as I tried to get another piece, she grunted and squeaked a bit so I quit and took a closer look. To me it looks like the poop flakes are attached to her skin, she definitely didn't like me pulling on it, so I quit and cuddled her. When I put her down she grunted and stomped her foot lol...I apologized. She did "kiss" me this morning so I guess I'm forgiven but I'm worried that those flakes could cause an issue being stuck to her skin on the inside of the anus, but so far she's pooping normally. Also, it smelled very pungent, so perhaps it's something to do with her scent gland? I don't wanna take her to the vet if it's not needed, but I'll get her there ASAP if I need to.

Thank you for any help you can give me.

Sincerely,
Nicole and Honey

Answer
Dear Nicole,

This doesn't sound serious.  It could just be a bit of cecotrope dried to her skin, or you might be seeing the dark brown wax in the pockets on either side of her prepuce. That's secreted by the scent glands in the pockets, and can sometimes harden and get stuck.

To remove either poop bits or scent gland wax that's stuck, simply take a cotton ball or cotton swab with a tiny bit of vegetable oil, and swab it on the debris. Let it soften for a few minutes, and then wipe it away with the cotton ball.  For poop debris, water will work just as well.

I hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Dana