very important!!! sick rabbit

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Im not sure if you can help me or not, but i have a year old rabbit that has some kind of infection by its anus. I'm not sure weither its yeast, fungal or bacterial. We took him to the vets, and they just said that it would clear up on its own. Its been two weeks and it has gotten much worse. Im afraid of him getting fly strike, so we wash it two to three times a day and put peroxide on it(im not sure if im supposed to do that or not, we used to use epson salts, but it was really painful for him) i know were not supposed to put cream on it because if by chance he does clean it, it can affect his cecotrophes. I don't know what else to do. I don't have much money(i am only 17) or i would have had many lab tests done already. The vet didnt exactly know what it was. I was wondering if you knew anything about what i should do, and if not, is their anyone that you would reccommend that i talk to? thank you very much, i am starting to run out of ressources for this problem. any advice is greatly appreciated.
(he does not appear in pain, except for when you touch it)
fae
Answer -
Dear Fae,

I can't really guess what this might be from your description, since you haven't physically described what it looks like.  Are there open wounds around the anus?  Does your bunny show any sign of diarrhea or urine burn (fur loss)?  Is there an abscess or any sign of pus?  Is what you see a "raspberry" like growth (this could be a polyp that can be surgically removed).   But please give me more detail about what the condition looks like and/or send a scanned, clear picture to me at dana@miami.edu

In the meantime, I hope the following will help you prevent flystrike and keep him clean:

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

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

DO NOT use peroxide.  It is far too caustic and can burn healthy tissue.  Instead, gently wash the area with a dilute solution of Betadine (povidone iodine) and keep it as clean and dry as possible at all times.  You can put a small amount of neosporin ointment (NOT neosporin plus!  It stings like the dickens!) on the affected areas, as this is very soothing and will not harm him if he licks it.  Just don't put on very much.  If you're worried about the neosporin, then calendula cream or ointment from a health food store will also safely keep the area from becoming dry, cracked, and painful.

If the vet didn't know what the problem was, then you should definitely take him to a vet who knows more about rabbits and their ailments.  You can find one here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

I hope this helps!  Please write back if you have more questions.

Dana



The infection looks like its inside the flap on skin above the anus(i think this is where ithe penis tucks in, but im not sure) it is whitish yellow in color and sticks to the skin. its not transparent. to me, it looks like a yeast infection, but im not sure.  

Answer
Dear Fae,

Again, it's impossible for me to be sure because I can't see what you're describing.  But this *could* just be his scent pockets filled with the normal (and very stinky!) scent secretions he makes.  They're normally a bit waxy and/or flaky, can be a *little* bit moist, and have a very strong, musky odor.  

Infection should smell more like rotting flesh.  The musk glands smell very...musky!  I don't know how else to describe it.

To see whether this is what you're describing, check to see whether he has flaps on both sides of his pre-puce (the little fluffy mound where his penis tucks in).  There should be a little pocket of stinky wax on either side.

If you do find this, then don't worry.  He's probably just fine.  You can clean out the wax with a soft cotton swab and a little bit of vegetable oil.  If the scent is very strong, then it's time for him to be neutered.  This will reduce the odor and make his litterbox habits more reliable.

For more information, please see:

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

Hope that helps!

Dana