Urine Scald and arthritis

Question
Why does my bunny go from dragging around to walking sometimes? my husband and I wash her, well rinse her bottom off, are we causing her to have injuries? I take her to I thought an exotic vet, he's okay, but now her bottom is raw, I ordered nolvastin solution and she seems worse, I feel so sorry for her, what is a good pain medicine for her. I had my vet send batril, that is not working or a good oinment for the urine scald, my husband and I take good care of her, we put her on puppy pad's and try standing her often, my vet also gave her this pill for the arthritis, but makes her mean, growls bites,Dasuquin,I have asked for rimadyl but he says there are lots of side affects? she gets real messey at night, we try standing her in a box to keep the soft stool from her skin, right now that skin is my main concern. today i cried and wondered if i am doing the right thing keeping her alive, she eates good twitches her nose and is happy other than the pain from that terrible looking skin, she has actually had this several times and by some miracle the skin will heal. Thank You
Rebecca King
bunny is 6 years 4 months old, female, never spayed.

Answer
Dear Rebecca,

There are many possible causes for this problem, among them hind limb paresis caused by a parasite known as E. cuniculi.  Please read:

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

and also:

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

which enumerates urinary tract problems that can cause pain, leaking and urine burn.  To keep her clean and comfortable, here are some instructions for a safe buttbath:

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

and if she spends a lot of time on her bed, then the very BEST way to prevent burn is to get her on an artificial fleece bed from Palacepet.com  They are the BEST for hospital-quality beds that will prevent sores.

You may also need to see a different vet who knows more about rabbits and their specific problems.  Please find one here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

For analgesia, I would recommend metacam and tramadol together until the painful skin is under control.  Please ask your new vet about this.  

I hope this helps!

Dana