Our bunny.

Question
Hello,

We have a lionhead bunny (a cross between Hollandaise Dwarf and Angora) who is experiencing yellowish discharge in the genital area. There also seems to be a smell of infection, but that could be subjective on my part.

Additionally, her inner thigh on her right side is rubbed raw; we don't know why. It also looks like her vagina is swollen.

We're very concerned about our bunny, and we've perused the www.rabbit.org/vets link, but we needed to know if we have to do anything tonight for her.

She seems active enough, there hasn't been much change in diet. Her urine production is a bit less than usual, though.  

Answer
Hi there

There is not much you can do for her at home.  Of course you should get her to the vet first thing in the morning.  If it is infection she could decline very rapidly.

If you are using any pine or cedar bedding you should remove it right away.  Try to get her to drink some extra water.  If she does have an infection this may help... it is no easy task believe me but as long as you are certain she is drinking then I wouldn't risk force feeding her.  If you happen to have any silvadene creme on hand (it is only available by prescription) you can apply that to the area.  Triple antibiotic ointment may help also, although not a definitive cure.  If you do have neosporin make sure that it is not neosporin plus (including the generic brands).

Her inner thigh is most likely rubbed raw from hutch burn.  This can happen when a rabbit has a urine dribbling problem.  Once the vet determines if it is indeed a UTI and prescribes medication this will heal up as long as you are certain to keep her bedding as clean as possible.

If she stops eating or drinking you may have to force feed her.  To do this you have to use a very small syringe or baby medication administrator.  You can squirt water or pedialyte in her mouth but take care to let her swallow it on her own or she may aspirate.  

Basically if she is eating, drinking and pooping normally it is best to wait until morning to see a qualified vet.  If she has a decline in her condition it may be necessary to take her to a 24 hour animal hospital.  Sadly these are few and far between but most cities have them.  Although these hospitals are not all exotic animal specialists they can treat rabbits for minor ailments and emergency treatment before they have them transferred.  Make sure she has a clean and dry place to sleep tonight and get her to the doctor first thing in the morning.  

I would like to say that I admire your kindness.  Not all people would be worried enough about their precious bunnies to get them to a rabbit qualified vet right away.  She is a very lucky bunny.  I suspect that since she is acting normal and eating and drinking normally that the few hours until morning are not going to make much of a difference.  Just be prepared that it sounds like she has either an infection or what we call urine sludge and it can be a long course of treatment.  Any qualified and responsible vet will tell you up front how much it what her chances are.  If she is not already spayed this may be necessary.  Does that are not spayed are prone to so many uterine problems.

You can also put some bag balm or the neosporin on the area of her leg that is raw as a temporary treatment measure to help alleviate any pain.

I am so sorry that your bunny is ill.  If you have any further questions please let me know.

Sincerely,

Pam