toileting problem

Question
Dear Mr. Meyer,

My rabbit is five years old. Half a year ago, I've moved from a townhouse, where my rabbit is kept in the garden, to an apartment, where he lives in the living room and the balcony interchangeably depending on the weather. Ever since the move, his toileting problem has became a big issue. He had learnt to use a toilet pan most of the time, but lately he began to urinate almost everywhere, especially on the soft mats that I put on the balcony ground. He's desexed, the toilet pan is covered with straws, and the space of my lounge and the balcony isnt really that big...Yesterday when I washed him I found scalding of skin near his tail area. =( Should I keep him restricted inside his cage all the time or maybe consider giving him away to someone else with garden? He seems to be leaking randomly all the time, yet his urine is clear coloured, so it shouldn't be a urinary tract infection problem.

Please help!

Thank you

Jasmine

Answer
Hi Jasmine,

the fact that he is 'leaking randomly' and that he has urine scald indicates a real medical problem.  If he is randomly leaking, he will wind up wetting himself whether he wants to or not (when sitting, sleeping, etc) and this could very well be not on purpose.  Rabbits who are spraying and marking on purpose do not give themselves urine scald just to 'be naughty' or mark territory.

My advice is to get him to a good rabbit vet immediately for diagnosis.  If you don't have one yet, visit:

www.rabbit.org/care/vets.html

for a list of House Rabbit Society-recommended rabbit vets in your area.

Please get him checked out as soon as physically possible.  Also I would in the meantime put preparation H or diaper rash cream on his scalded skin, as these help irritated skin like this to heal.

Lee