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Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 5/25/2006


Question
My rabbit has been having problems walking ing just crawling at this point. I decided to give him a bath today and notice his testicals are very swollen, not sure if this is the reason he can not move well.

I haev 3 rabbit total all in good health.

Answer
Dear Lorinda,

1.  Never, never bathe a rabbit.  It is very dangerous, and can result in death. Please see:

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

2.  If he is having this much trouble moving, then why has he not already been seen by a vet?  This would be the first thing you should do!  Please find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

3.  Swollen testicles can be either abscessed or cancerous, and your vet will be able to tell which.  In either case, neutering is the best option, though if there is widespread infection the bunny may need to be on antibiotics for a while before surgery is attempted.  Your vet will be the best to determine this.

Please waste no time and GET YOUR BUNNY TO A GOOD RABBIT VET RIGHT NOW!  HE IS SUFFERING!

Dana

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Dana Krempels, Ph.D.

Expertise

I've lived with companion rabbits for more than 35 years, and consider them members of my family. I can answer any questions about the biology and health of rabbits, from the commonplace to the unusual. But please note:

RULE #1:
THE INTERNET IS NOT THE PLACE TO SEEK HELP IN AN EMERGENCY.

...it is an EMERGENCY.

Find a rabbit vet at www.rabbit.org/vets for immediate help, and don't risk your bunny's life by spending time asking questions online! If you can't get in touch with your vet, read these Emergency Sick Bunny Instructions.

If you have found a wild baby rabbit, please read these EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS FOR WILD BABY RABBITS and then use this link to FIND A LOCAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR who can give you the right advice.

RULE #2:
Help me help you! Please make your subject line informative if you have an urgent question. then LET ME KNOW IN THE SUBJECT LINE so I can give your question highest priority over non-urgent questions. If you don't do this, then I can't guarantee timely assistance!

For all the best, most accurate rabbit health, care and behavior information, visit The House Rabbit Society.

Experience

I have been rescuing domestic and wild rabbits for more than 25 years. I have written articles for many rabbit rescue publications, as well as for the veterinary journal, Exotic DVM. I own EtherBun, the internet's largest listserve dedicated to health, care, and behavior of domestic rabbits.

Organizations
Houserabbit Adoption, Rescue, and Education, Inc. (H.A.R.E., Inc.) president National House Rabbit Society (Board member)

Publications
Exotic DVM
Warren Peace (Journal of the House Rabbit Society of Miami)
Various newsletters of the House Rabbit Society, nationwide

Education/Credentials
Ph.D - Biology
B.S. - Biology
B.A. - English

Awards and Honors
Lightspan Academic Excellence Award for web site on rabbit health and biology
(http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare)

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