rabbit soaked in urine

Question
Hello,

My 8 yr old female bunny furball appears to have recently begun peeing on herself. I came home yesterday to find her bum and back feet soaked in urine (to the point where her tail is completely matted down). There was also poo stuck in the mix. I noticed that the skin in the area is very dark pink, almost red, and there appears to be some sort of white substance on the skin (sort of like pus). I rinsed her with warm water and got her mostly cleaned up. This morning, she has pretty much dry. Today when I came home she was again soaked in pee with poo stuck on her.  Is she incontinent? I am extremely worried about her. What can be done to help her? She is spayed and up until now has always been a clean, healthy, happy bunny.
Thanks for your help!

Answer
Dear Jennifer,

Various urinary tract problems can cause incontinence and enough pain to make a bunny too lethargic to get out of her own pee.  Please read:

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

and

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

as well as this, for instructions on a safe buttbath to keep her comfortable until she's treated:

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

But most importantly, you need to get her to a good, experienced rabbit vet for examination, diagnosis and treatment as necessary:

www.rabbit.org/vets

This will not heal on its own, and will more likely get worse without treatment.  It could be something as simple as a urinary tract infection (painful!), and the sooner she's on medication, the sooner she'll feel well and happy again.

I hope this helps.

Dana