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Smelly rabbit

Lemonlips

New Kit
Hi I'm hoping someone can help me, I have three rabbits all girls all bonded, the last one I took on was a neighbours that was neglected, never let out and not kept clean.
Well she (holly) has always been smelly down below and her fur is yellow from urine, I put it down to her living in squalor cleaned her up and cut back the fur, well the smell didn't go so I took her to the vet where they diagnosed a infection she has been rechecked and given the all clear after a course of antibiotics, and just said she is a naturally smelly rabbit.
Well today I've tried to clean her up again, she is yellow smelly and I think sparse in fur in some areas as if the urine is burning her.
I clean my hutch every day and they have free reign of my garden all day, she isnt yet neutered as she has just got over the infection, my other two are.
What can I do to help her be clean I'm worried about fly strike in summer, though her bum tends to be clean it's all around it that's yellow and smelly
 
Hi and welcome to the forum! and well done for rescuing poor Holly

There is no such thing as a 'naturally smelly' rabbit and so the first thing I would recommend is finding a vet near you that has better knowledge and experience of rabbits!

Incontinence and/or urine scald may be caused by many issues - particularly if a rabbit has been neglected in the past.

These include joint problems such as arthrtis due to having not been able to move in a small hutch which prevents her getting into the proper position for weeing so it goes over her instead; urine infection (which has been discounted by present vet); E. cunniculi - which is a parasite but 'acts' more like a virus - and you will find links on here to information on that (look under the Health stickies);

I am assuming that as they all three live together with no fights then they are all spayed? If she is not spayed then uterine cancer - possibly spreading - would also be another thing to think about (extremely common in unspayed females).

She will also be suffering from dermatitis by now on the skin so needs something to help heal that as well.

It is fabulous that you have tried so hard with her and also come on here for advice. I think perhaps the best thing you might do now is either go back to the original vet with other suggestions for them to explore or 9and this is what I would do if faced with a vet who said my rabbit was 'naturally smelly) find a more rabit knowledgeable vet.

You can do that by posting a new thread on here with the title 'Rabbit savvy vet recommendations needed in X' (X being the rough area where you live.

Good luck to you and Holly and ho[ing that the problem is solved by fly strike time which is coming soon in this sunny weather.

PS 'Rearguard' from you vet can help guard against flystrike but I her skin will be too sore at present for her to have this put on - so need to wait until she is abetter.
 
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I'd really try another vet and get them to check her over again as previously said bunnies shouldn't smell. I'd really hold off applying rearguard at the moment as her skin will be terribly sore for a while and adding rearguard would be very painful for her.

My Hobson kept weeing on himself due to a deformed willy and very bad kindney infections so we had to keep his fur clean and any bare skin we put some sudocrem on it which really did help ease the soreness. When this cleared up we used to put corn flour on his 'parts' every week which also worked really well at soothing the skin and preventing it getting sore but this was all on the advise of my vet so best have your bunny checked over again just to make sure she is ok.:wave:
 
Hi I'm hoping someone can help me, I have three rabbits all girls all bonded, the last one I took on was a neighbours that was neglected, never let out and not kept clean.
Well she (holly) has always been smelly down below and her fur is yellow from urine, I put it down to her living in squalor cleaned her up and cut back the fur, well the smell didn't go so I took her to the vet where they diagnosed a infection she has been rechecked and given the all clear after a course of antibiotics, and just said she is a naturally smelly rabbit.
Well today I've tried to clean her up again, she is yellow smelly and I think sparse in fur in some areas as if the urine is burning her.
I clean my hutch every day and they have free reign of my garden all day, she isnt yet neutered as she has just got over the infection, my other two are.
What can I do to help her be clean I'm worried about fly strike in summer, though her bum tends to be clean it's all around it that's yellow and smelly

Welcome to the Forum Lemonlips :wave:

Bless you for rescuing Holly!

As Parnsipbun has said, there's no such thing as a naturally smelly rabbit. There's always a reason.

I should post a new thread in Rabbit Chat asking for a specialist rabbit vet so you can get some advice. They may advise neutering/spaying sooner rather than later to investigate the issue. So you want to make sure they are really rabbit savvy :)
 
Hi thank you all for replying so quickly, I knew she wasn't right and you have just all confirmed my fears, call it mummy instinct!!
I have telephoned back to my vet (called your vets) I think they are a chain, I explained everything that was going on and I was advised to book another appointment with a different vet, (the best one they have to deal with rabbits)and to try and get a wee sample by using cat core in the little tray or lentils? I'm reluctant to separate them as the bonding wasn't easy with three girls, so I thought maybe put fresh litter in and leave her in for a bit each morning while the other two are out.

They did say if I took her to a specialist rabbit vet it would cost me a lot more money? I intend to get her neutered like I did my other two girls, I'm just so angry they let her get like this, and it looks like will be too my expense, but hey it used to break my heart looking out into their garden seeing her shut over in the dark all the time and she is so happy now with me :love:
 
Ignore your vet - it costs no more to register and get treatment with a rabbit-savvy vet than any other vet. I guess they are talking about a specialist referral - where your vet gets advice from a specialist.

I would definitely advise posting another thread asking for vet recommendations. You want to get the best help you can.
 
Hi thank you all for replying so quickly, I knew she wasn't right and you have just all confirmed my fears, call it mummy instinct!!
I have telephoned back to my vet (called your vets) I think they are a chain, I explained everything that was going on and I was advised to book another appointment with a different vet, (the best one they have to deal with rabbits)and to try and get a wee sample by using cat core in the little tray or lentils? I'm reluctant to separate them as the bonding wasn't easy with three girls, so I thought maybe put fresh litter in and leave her in for a bit each morning while the other two are out.

They did say if I took her to a specialist rabbit vet it would cost me a lot more money? I intend to get her neutered like I did my other two girls, I'm just so angry they let her get like this, and it looks like will be too my expense, but hey it used to break my heart looking out into their garden seeing her shut over in the dark all the time and she is so happy now with me :love:

I've never found it costs any more to see a specialist vet than my normal vet. In some cases cheaper :)

A good vet should be able to express the bladder of a rabbit, so no need really to go trying to get a sample if it's really difficult.
 
I really would leave the 'chain' vet, and not just ask for a different vet there but go to a whole different vet practice.

It does not cost any more (well it may be a little dearer just because they are a decent vets but not a lot) and you do not even need a referral as such if you are just leaving your vet (at least with this rabbit) and taking her elsewhere.

I so often see people saying they are staying with their present vets even though they are not great with rabbits - because they are scared of the cost of going elsewhere - only to have to go back to their vet time and time again as the rabbit is getting no better as the vet doesnt really know what they are doing. So it actually ends up costing a lot more that just spending more for a couple of consultations at a good rabbit vet (not to mention the rabbit actually getting better with a good vet!)).

A vet that tries to scare you with quoting referral fees at you whilst obviously not knowing that rabbits are NEVER naturally smelly - is a very poor vet!
 
When I got Ruby my first rabbit neutered it was touch and go as well as she was very sleepy and had to have rescue meds, my second rabbit elsa I got from pets at home as a rescue, she is a little dot so I was weary of getting her done, but she bounced right back, the pet shop reckons your vets gave Ruby too much dose, where pets at home got it bang on.
what are your thoughts on pets at home for ventinary care? I've posted a new post for a recommendation but on a Google search nothing came up
 
When I got Ruby my first rabbit neutered it was touch and go as well as she was very sleepy and had to have rescue meds, my second rabbit elsa I got from pets at home as a rescue, she is a little dot so I was weary of getting her done, but she bounced right back, the pet shop reckons your vets gave Ruby too much dose, where pets at home got it bang on.
what are your thoughts on pets at home for ventinary care? I've posted a new post for a recommendation but on a Google search nothing came up

The chain of Vet Surgeries within P@H (Companion Care Vets) are an entirely separate business from P@H. Apparently some surgeries have very good Rabbit Savvy Vets, some less so, some absolutely awful.

Where abouts in the UK are you ?
 
When I got Ruby my first rabbit neutered it was touch and go as well as she was very sleepy and had to have rescue meds, my second rabbit elsa I got from pets at home as a rescue, she is a little dot so I was weary of getting her done, but she bounced right back, the pet shop reckons your vets gave Ruby too much dose, where pets at home got it bang on.
what are your thoughts on pets at home for ventinary care? I've posted a new post for a recommendation but on a Google search nothing came up

I'm pleased to see that you've had some recommendations.
 
When I got Ruby my first rabbit neutered it was touch and go as well as she was very sleepy and had to have rescue meds, my second rabbit elsa I got from pets at home as a rescue, she is a little dot so I was weary of getting her done, but she bounced right back, the pet shop reckons your vets gave Ruby too much dose, where pets at home got it bang on.
what are your thoughts on pets at home for ventinary care? I've posted a new post for a recommendation but on a Google search nothing came up

You can't rule out any vet as being bad. Very often vets leave the practice, there are locums there, and the service can be patchy within a practice. As I mentioned on your other thread, I would recommend William Lewis. Is he too far for you to get to?

Sometimes you need to do a lot of ringing round, speak with the vet, and get some info and reassurance. A good vet should be willing to speak with you prior to consultation.

Good luck xx
 
Ignore your vet - it costs no more to register and get treatment with a rabbit-savvy vet than any other vet. I guess they are talking about a specialist referral - where your vet gets advice from a specialist.

2nd'd

I used to use an exotic specialist with years of knowledge on rabbits, ferrets, reptiles etc and if anything she was 50% cheaper (I'd dare say even 80%).

Its always worth calling around a few vets in the area - ask about consult fee's, how often they see & treat rabbits (not just routine vacs/neutering), how confident their vet is in treating them etc. I normally get a good 1st impression from the reception staff. If they are rude, unhelpful, unwilling to offer advice then they simply are not worth my time.
You can always try to arrange a visit & tour of their practice too - a good vets will happily let you out back to have a look.

One of the vets I worked with was very happy to neuter male rabbits but flat out refused to female spays, anything other than routine treatments etc and he'd always refer to another local vets for anything more intense.
 
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sometimes the vet will give you a pharmaceutical cream for scalds, but I use a three herb cream which really soothes the skin. You must be vigilant about this. I have had experience of this, and you must wash and dry thoroughly then apply a cream such as three herbs. If you find this helpful reply and I will tell you where to get it, because I need to find the invoice. I got it from the internet. The cream was formerly called Essiac cream so if you search for it under that name you may find it, but get back to me if you cant find it.
 
Evening ladies sorry for the delay in updating, well we went back to our normal vet today, the lady I saw was very thorough and I do feel less anxious.
Holly has got a infection again and has been prescribed septrin which smells like banana, I have separated her from one of the other bunnies as this morning I came down to lots of hair in the cage and they will still going for each other, Ruby is my top rabbit and has obviously been bullying her, so rather than put poor holly on her own I have taken Ruby out!! Do you think that is for the best leaving her with the placid one?
Anyway I have been told to restrict her diet, I actually got told off for giving her shredded wheat as a treat, no sugar and limit all sugary vegetables due to the sugar which can cause urinary problems, I feel awful :oops:
My other two are fine down below but maybe she has no tolerance for anything other than a very basic diet as that's probably all she got when she was my neighbours rabbit.
Hopefully a new diet and the antibiotics she will be fine, if still problems then she will be scan for maybe gallstones and obviously needs to be neutered
 
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