Rabbit fur caking and matting around hindquarters

Question
I have a large, white rabbit named Casper, about 6 years old, who has chronic
caking and matting of the fur around his hindquarters. He is overweight and
it's hard for him to reach this area. When I comb him, there are many tiny,
white grainy bits in the matting and a very few tiny, dark bits (I suspect dried
blood?) However, have never seen any movement in the mats I'm able to
brush out that would indicate parasites, and wonder if rabbits can just get
eczema? I currently use a dry cleaner called Pet Sensation Premium Dry Small
Animal Shampoo that seems to take care of the condition for awhile. Are you
familiar with these symptoms? Is there a different cleaning method or
treatment I should use that might permanently cure the condition? His mate
(Mercedes) is a dwarf dutch breed with coarser fur who's never had this
condition.

Answer
Dear Shelley,

Please read these two articles for complete information on Casper's condition and how to keep him clean until your vet can help you solve the problem:

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

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

Having a messy bottom will predispose him to fly strike (attack by maggots!  Horrible!), so you MUST keep him very clean and safe inside, lest he suffer a horrible fate.

You can find a good vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

If he's overweight, that could be much of the problem, but incorrect diet:

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

and molar problems:

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

are also very common causes of cecal dysbiosis, which is likely causing the constant messy bottom Casper is suffering. I hope this helps.

Dana