I CANNOT CHECK MY BUNNY’S SCENT GLANDS

[DalekBunny]

Hi guys!  I’ve recently discovered how important it is to check a bunnies anal scent glands and I really want to do it because Dusty is already 8 months old and I’ve never checked them, so I’m worried there will be a buildup or something.  The problem is, Dusty REFUSES to be tranced.  I know bunnies don’t like to be held so I’ve never attempted to hold Dusty.  He’s extremely loving and really comfortable around me but he will not allow himself to be tranced.  I’ve tried everything, wrapping him in a towel so he calms down, covering his eyes with cloth, calming him down for 20 minutes or so beforehand and I don’t know what to do!  Any help would be great

Thanks!

[Eepster]

Why do you feel a need to check his glands, does he smell bad?

[Elrohwen]

I have had multiple vets tell me that it’s not necessary to clean anal glands, so I wouldn’t worry about it.

In 4+ years I have cleaned glands once in one rabbit, when I noticed they were dirty, but this is a bun who often has a hard time fully cleaning himself down there. My other rabbit has always been immaculate and doesn’t need to have them cleaned.

[Bam]

Have sb else hold him for you so you can take a peek. It’s not an emergency so you could ask a friend or sb when you have sb over. Hopefully he cleans himself in that area. One of my 2 gets build-up but the other one is impeccably clean down there.

If your bunny is old or fat, chances are he can’t clean himself properly but then you probably would see cecals on the floor sometimes because he wouldn’t be able to eat them as they come out, like a rabbit “should”..

[DalekBunny]

Thanks everyone!  My rabbit is young and fit so I would assume he is keeping himself clean ‘down there’ because I don’t smell anything.  In fact, he smells like banans and hay

[Author]

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