urinating

Question
Hi I have a male, 4 yr old Netherland Dwarf rabbit who just recently stopped using his litter box. He has always been a good boy and would have an accident here and tehre, but it's been about 2-3 weeks sine he's even used his box. His backside is usually wet b/c of this and is beginning to look sore. Since the day we brought him home his back right leg never really worked right (it sticks out to the side, but he gets around just fine), could this have anything to do with his frequent urination. He is still eating and drinking normally and perky as playful as ever. What should I do for him?
Thanks so much!
Jen

Answer
Dear Jen,

Sudden loss of good litterbox habits in a mature rabbit can signal a urinary tract problem--and because his bottom is wet, this is even more likely.

Bladder infection, bladder sludge and bladder stones (uroliths) all can cause incontinence, and also be painful enough to keep him from wanting to hop into his litterbox.  Please read:

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

At the age of 4, he's a little young for arthritis, but this, too, can cause him to avoid jumping into the litterbox.

Because you mentioned that he has a bum leg, I will also mention the possibility of Encephalitozoon cuniculi, which can cause hind limb paresis, urinary incontinence, and other neurological problems.  A good overview can be found here:

http://www.houserabbit.co.uk/rwf/articles/ecuniculi.htm

The parasite is treatable, but you need a vet who really knows rabbit medicine.  You can find one here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

I hope this helps get you started.  Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana