Bunny heath question

Question
Hi,

My 2 year old rabbit has been acting quite odd.  Under his chin, and down his neck, his fur is soaked.  I'm not sure what is causing this.  It has been like this for the last few days and he seems bothered by it.  He continues to clean the area nonstop as it seems to be causing discomfort.

We have not changed the water bottle so I have ruled that out.  

What can be causing this?

His stool is also runny and a greenish color.

I took him to a local vet who felt that he was in good health and advised that I feed him papaya enzyme tablets and yogurt to help with the loose stool.  He does not want to have either.

Please help, as I am very concerned that there is something wrong with his health.

Any ideas

Answer
Dear Jennifer,

First, please find a vet who is more experienced with rabbits than the one you just saw:

www.rabbit.org/vets

A rabbit who has runny green stool and a soaking wet chin is NOT in good health, and any vet who would make that proclamation has no business treating rabbits!

The most likely cause of the wet chin is drooling from severe molar spurs or even a molar root abscess.  This will be very painful, and must be treated ASAP to give your bunny relief and get him back to normal.  Please read:

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

As for the runny poop, that is a sign that the bunny is ill, and in need of treatment.  Please read:

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

for an explanation, and get the bunny to a good vet ASAP before things get any worse.  

I hope this helps!  Be SURE you find a vet who knows how to do a deep oral dental exam and file spurs.  If there is an abscess at the molar roots, please read:

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

But you can be SURE there is something wrong deep inside his mouth.  That's what the signs are telling you.  I'm surprised the vet you saw didn't even think to check the teeth, but perhaps that vet is mainly a dog/cat vet.  You really need a *rabbit* vet for this, and the sooner the better.

I hope this helps.

Dana