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my bunnys poop

22 9:58:13

Question
QUESTION: Hey Dana, i've talked to you before and you were a lot of help. i was just wanting to ask a question about Thumper, he is my bunny. i'm just writing you because his stools are weird. i kno that they are supposed to be little pebble like balls which they are but there's also big huge clumps as well and they are not as hard, they are more moist. and they also stick to right around his butt as well and his tail. and then they make his balls all red. we have to clean it all the time and it keeps getting like that. would you kno why this is?

ANSWER: Dear Olivia,

You are likely seeing both fecal pellets and cecal pellets.  This is normal, but having them stick to his butt is not.  For complete information on this (which is very important for every bunny "parent" to know, please read this article, "The Mystery of Poop":

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/poop.html

If you have more questions once you've read that, please write back.

Have fun!

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hello Dana,
it's Olivia again. =) it's still sticking to his testicles and tail but we clean it. i think i'm going to have to take him to the clinic. but i was wondering...until i get there if i can use antibiotic ointment on the area because they look infected. would that be okay?

ANSWER: Dear Olivia,

If the area is inflamed and has poop stuck to it, then before you put sticky ointment on it, wash gently with dilute povidone iodine solution to get it very clean.  Carefully blow dry (on warm, not hot!), using a small flea comb to separate the fur and get it nice and dry.

Once he's dry, you can put a very thin layer of triple antibiotic ointment only on the sore areas.  Use only the regular type--not anything with topical anesthetic (it stings!).  

And yes, if he has sores, he really should be seen by a good rabbit vet:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Hope he'll be fine soon.

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Dana,
thank you sooo much! i had no idea we could use diluted iodine. usually i use water and a bunny bath. and when we blow dry him he takes like a half hour and even right now he isn't completely dry, still damp. but i'll definitely try a flea comb next time! and i gotta get out to the store to get him some ointment then. but do you think the stickiness will make that worst? there isn't really sores in the area, it's just a little red like he is sore. there's a clinic that specializes in exotic animals and so i gotta take him in there. i really appreciate your help!

Answer
Dear Olivia,

The slight stickiness of the ointment won't bother him, though he might try to groom it off.  That's why you should put very little on, and only on the areas where it's raw.  Try to keep it away from his fur.

I hope he'll be all well soon!

Take care,

Dana