Rabbits Health

Question
Hi,
I have a blue dutch doe who will be 8 years old in November.  Her poop seems to clump up on her rearend.  It is kind of big and eventually falls off, but comes right back.  Can you tell me anything about this and what to do?  Other than that she seems to be fine.  She eats and drinks and plays good.

Thank you,
Ann

Answer
Dear Ann,

Your bunny may be starting to show signs of arthritis, and her cecotropes may be sticking to her bum because she can't reach them as well as she used to.  If the poop sticking there is mushy, and unformed, then she may have cecal dysbiosis. Please read:

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

for an explanation.  The most common causes of this disorder are incorrect diet:

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

and pain/stress from molar spurs or other dental problem, which would not be unexpected at her age:

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

You can find a good vet to help you here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Hope this helps.

Dana