HollandHops":2pochay7 said:
Just to throw this out for anyone considering baths::
It's not a good thing to do for rabbits, they can die of shock. :weep:
JMHO - "I disagree"
how-to-butt-bath-an-aggressive-rabbit-t21087.html
I did not see a thred on this -[I probly missed it]-so I thought I would add one
- When Rabbits get sick, or have a feed change too suddenly they may get a "poopy butt" -- or when rabbits get bit on the genitals [or some other problem], they may get urine soaked on the back end , legs or feet. [Urine Scald]This needs to be cleaned up ASAP as this is very painful and will lead to more severe problems.
When rabbits are not feeling good they may be aggresive [some are aggressive anyway]
First put on a long sleeved jacket,in case you get bit [a mad rabbit can remove your nipple, or bite your arm] then, - put your hand on the rabbits shoulders, and push it firmly against the floor [don't smash it] next take your other hand and slide it under the the rabbits chest behind the front legs, - rock the rabbit backwards sliding your hand that is on the shoulders back to suport the butt,firmly pin the rabbits head between your bicep and side [just above your elbow] the rabbits nose will be pointing up, and make sure the ears are hanging down . Run lukewarm water on the urine scald, or poopy part [just the part that needs cleaned, not the whole rabbit] if the poop is hard you can speed up the process by using a little regular blue Dawn dish soap [not anti-bacterial] add 1/2 tsp of soap to 2 cups of water, and put a little on the poopy part [just on the poop not the whole rabbit] when the poop is soft enough to easily remove without pulling out hair, gently clean off the poop, and rinse very well, - next -use a dry fluffy wash cloth and gently press/ squeeze the wet parts to remove as much of the water as possible, then blow-dry the rabbit completely [the rabbit must be all the way dry when you are done.-and be careful not to burn the rabbit]
-If the rabbit struggles and starts to get loose-- just take your free hand and put it on the rabbits chest ,below the front legs [so it can't bite you], --and push it back and re-pin the rabbits head with your arm
If the rabbit has sores gently apply A+D , or Desitin ointment to the raw areas, use a light coat, not a thick coat of ointment.
Check your rabbit 1 or 2 x a day and apply more ointment or clean as necessary for a while to make sure the raw spots are protected while healing.
sarah8001 wrote:
I recently bathed my buck's butt. He's not hostile, but he found the whole situation to be undignified and distasteful. I bathed him in the bathtub (no sink large enough) and found that giving him a wadded up towel to stand on helped. That way his front feet didn't really get wet. It also gave him traction on the enamel surface so he felt more secure. If you're rabbit's not a biter you could try that.
If your rabbit is not a biter, that sounds like a good way to clean them, -
- I butt bath all rabbits the same way, [except the pining the head with my arm part], the ones who don't bite like to watch what I am doing --and I let them as long as they are good.
by holding them on their back with the butt down hill, it is easy to just get the dirty parts wet, so the drying is not such a long ordeal . [I butt bath 5 to 10/ day where I work]
-- Tue Dec 16, 2014 7:08 pm --
people with rabbits should invest in a blow-dryer