is my rabbit in heat?

Question
Dear Dana,
I noticed today that there was a drop of blood in my female rabbit's cage so I took her out to check her. I noticed that she is swollen on either side of her genitals and it appears to be scabbed. I don't know if it is a scab or not, but that's what it looks like. Does this mean she's in heat or is something wrong?

Answer
Dear Samantha,

If she has bilaterally symmetrical "lumps" on either side of the prepuce, "she" might actually be a "he."  Please see:

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

If the area is scabby, the bunny could have mites or other skin problem that needs to be examined and treated by a good rabbit vet:

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

You can find a good vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

If the bunny is a female, and you really did see blood, and she's not spayed, then it could very probably be a uterine problem as serious as cancer or pre-cancer, and she should be spayed ASAP by a good rabbit vet.  Please see:

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

and

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

I hope this helps get you started.

Dana