wierd!

Question
Hello again! Got another question for you. This may sound really naive of me, but my rabbit Ashley has recently been 'secreting' this gel like substance which gives off a really strong urine smell and ends up sticking to his back end fur too. I have a good idea what this could be, that being the spring time of year..but perhaps you could either back me up on that or tell me another possibility? Also maybe how i could prevent this?

Thank you!

Tracey

Answer
Dear Tracey,

If you're thinking this is semen, I would disagree.  Semen should not have a strong odor.  Similarly, urine should not be gelatinous.

I can't see the gel to be sure, but it sounds more likely that this is mucus from the anus, and that Ashley might have a case of enteritis!  This needs to be seen and treated appropriately by a good rabbit vet without delay:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Please also read:

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

and

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

since enteritis can be caused by or result in cecal dysbiosis and/or ileus, the latter being a potentially life-threatening condition.

Again, I can't see/smell this gel to know for sure.  But any strong-smelling, mucus-like substance coming out of the back of a rabbit is cause for concern, and is not normal.  Please get him to a good rabbit vet ASAP.

Hope this helps.

Dana