Dwarf Rabbit Bleeding

Question
I have 2 dwarf bunnies, both 8 weeks old living in an outdoor hutch.  I noticed about an hour ago when I was giving fresh water and hay that there are blood spots sporatically around the cage.  I checked both bunnies and found that one of them has pulled little tufts of hair out around the genital area and when I gently pushed back on the genital pouch, a little pink 'finger'-like thing protruded slightly with blood on the end drying up.  There were no other signs of injury anywhere and both bunnies are eating, drinking and playing normally.
I called the local pet hospital and even though they suggest that this is not normal and the bunny should be seen, they don't have any bunny staff.  What can I do?

Answer
Dear Emily,

It's a little bit young for your bunnies to start this kind of behaviors, but dwarf rabbits tend to mature and start showing dominance behavior earlier than some other breeds.  It's very likely that one bunny (the one with the damaged "willie") is mounting the other one excessively and rubbing himself raw on his companion.  

If your bunnies' testicles are descended, then they can be neutered, and even though they are young, this would probably be best.  Once mounting behavior starts, fights can ensue as one rabbit seeks dominance (mounting is not only sexual, but a social signal).  If the submissive one gets tired of these advances, there will be major trouble, especially if they share a single outdoor hutch and can't get away from each other.

You'll need to find a good rabbit vet to do the neuter, and if the testicles aren't descended you might have to wait.  In the meantime, to prevent serious fights and injury, you'll have to put the bunnies in physically separate enclosures where they can see and smell each other (to stay pals) but can't hurt each other.  When you get one neutered, have them both done, as described here:

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

To find a good rabbit vet in your area, please use the referral list linked here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

and if there isn't one on the list, write back with your general location and I'll try to help you find a good rabbit vet near you who can help.

Hope this helps.  Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana