dwarf rabbit maybe sick?

Question
I have  3-4 year old dwarf rabbit, Usually he cleans himself very well. I ran out
of the recycled paper bedding and was using the wood chip style bedding
(which i don't like) just until I could get to the store. Its been a week and I
now
noticed he is very dirty on his hind area and I also noticed he has a bad odor
(never before). I also noticed he is not moving the same and when I am
holding him he is almost stiffening, I am scared he may be sick. I looked on
his rear end and also noticed he is pinkish in color in that area. He's moving
slow but he is moving. He is drinking and eating not as much as usual, but i
didn't notice him poop
at all since last night. could it be a rash?

Answer
Hi Carrie,

my suggestions are to get rid of the wood chips immediately.  THey may be giving off fumes and carcinogens because that's why we don't use them with rabbits (phenyls).  It doesn't affect us so much with large lungs but with small noses and real small lungs rabbits are severely affected and can die from this.  Further the wood chips may stay too wet (they are not as absorbent as other litters) and when rabbits are too wet back there it can cause urine scald and bare patches.  

You have to replace the bedding now.  Even if that means cutting up newspaper (run it through your paper shredder) and using this.  Get rid of the wood chips.

You are going to have to take him in to the vet right away.  I would take the label of the wood chip bag in to show the vet and explain to him what has gone on recently so that your vet can have more info to help make a good diagnosis.

My gut is that the wood chips was making him a little ill, and this has been affecting his desire to move around normally and eat normally.

PLease get him to a vet tomorrow right away.  A good rabbit vet (not any old vet).  If you don't have one go to:

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

and find a House Rabbit Society-recommended vet in your area.  If you can't find one here call up your local animal shelters and local rabbit rescue groups and ask who they'd go to with a sick rabbit.

Lee