bleeding

Question
Our 2 year old female rabbit has left a small patch of blood on the carpet approx 1cm wide by 2cm long. This happened similarly about 6 weeks ago.

She was spayed at 6 month of age.

She has had both VHD and myxomatosis vaccinations in April 2010.

She is eating and drinking as normal with majority of diet being hay, some straw, a carrot and 30 grammes of pellet food a day.

She is fully active running jumping skipping and rolling on ger side as she has always done.

We have checked her thoroughly and there is no sign of blood externally. The patch of blood seems to be from her rear end juding by the position of it when she got up.

There is also no sign of blood or red urine in her tioilet area.

If she showed any signs of abnormal behaviour we would take her straight to the vets but being honest can't afford to keep going if there is nothing wrong and x-rays are very costly but if this is the only option then we will take it.

Does this match any known symptom, disease or injury?

Answer
Dear Ian,

If she already has been spayed, and no remnant of the uterus was left behind, it is not likely to be uterine cancer.  Other causes of blood from the vent include bladder infection or bladder stones, or even kidney problems.  If she has an anal polyp that's raw, it, too, could leave a spot of blood.

Another possiblity is a broken nail.  Check her nails to see if any are unusually short.

If nothing pans out, I would get her to the vet for diagnosis.  You don't want anything "silent" becoming worse and then being a disaster when it's finally discovered.

I hope this helps.

Dana