Rabbit Genitalia & Rectum - Whats Normal

Question
We have a lovely four and a half year old white female miniature rabbit. We have been told she is a female by the pet store.

When cleaning her the other day I was concerned about the size/shape/attributes of what I believe must be her vagina/genitals or rectum. She had some caking of feces on her backside and I was concerned about maggots (which were not present).

The body part in question is approximately 1.5 inches from her tail - below her abdomen. In her case it is round in shape with a skin fold around the top half of the circle closet to the head. The circle is approximately 1.25 to 1.5 inches across. Within the circle are a number of nodules and skin folds that are hard to describe. The folds and nodules can be separated with your fingers and the spaces between them are approximately .5 inches plus deep. All components are dark in color - not black but not red. Given the size and complexity of this body part - I am not sure if this is normal or not.

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Dear Charles,

Your detailed description is very good, but I'm afraid I'm still not quite sure of the exact location of the structures you are describing.

Are there two such pockets, one on either side of the fluffy prepuce itself?  Check carefully on both sides.  You should fine two pockets that are not visible unless you open them with your fingers.  Inside there will be a waxy exudate with a strong, musky smell.  It should come out easily with a clean cottonball dipped in a bit of vegetable or mineral oil.

If this description fits what you are seeing, then you have found her scent pockets.  The small nodules inside the pockets are the scent glands that produce the dark, musky wax that rabbits use to communicate with each other (usually about territorial and sexual matters!).

If the folds you describe are actually on her belly, and not on either side of her prepuce, then I would have a good, experienced rabbit vet take a look. You can find one here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

I hope this helps get you started, but please write back if you have any other questions about this.  If you would like to send me a clear digital picture of what you're seeing, you can send it directly to dana@miami.edu and I'll have a look.

Take care,

Dana