whats wrong with my bunny!

Question
Hi, I have 4 fuzzy lops and 1 hotot and my female hotot's bottom is really really inflamed and is pink with red spots. I called the lady i got her from and she said she might be in heat or she might have messed up and it might be a boy.She is only 8 weeks old and i didn't think they could get in heat that young and i looked online to see how to sex a rabbit but my bunny's doesn't look like any of the pictures. I went to a vet and they gave me some antibacterial topical ointment to put on 3 times a day but it just looks like it is getting worse. Please help me because i am very worried of what might happen. Thanks in advance.
Courtney

Answer
Dear Courtney,

If you can send a clear picture to dana@miami.edu I'll be better able to help you.  But it sounds as if this is either urine burn or some other condition causing inflammation.  To keep the bunny comfortable while your (new) vet is figuring out the problem, please follow the instructions here:

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

The problem could be cecal dysbiosis causing unformed cecotropes to stick to her bum and burn the skin:

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

or a urinary tract problem causing urine to collect and burn the skin, and also cause inflammation of the surrounding areas:

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

In any case, the problem isn't going to be solved with cream or ointment.  You need a vet who really knows what's going on with a *rabbit*.  Please find one here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Hope this helps.

Dana