avarocks
Well-Known Member
I saw the whole big thread about holding the bunny and all that, but how on earth do you FIND the scent glands? I mastered getting the nails trimmed. I used the same posture but I had to do it from my wheelchair so I'd have easy access to the sink with warm water and the cotton swabs to clean the glands, if I had to. I held Milo on my lap with an absorbent pad in my lap (should I ooze out any goo or should he pee or whatever). He gave a good struggle at first but then he sort of played dead. I started checking around down there and I could not for the life of me find what you guys describe as these glands. I found pockets under the testicles where they appear to 'rest' but I also checked off to the sides and I didn't find anything. I was searching for a good five minutes but I didn't see a darn thing. Does that mean that it just doesn't need to be done? Milo isn't fixed...I can't afford to have it done and he won't be interacting with any bunnies that I know of in the near future (certainly if it becomes an issue I'll check into it). He's a year and a half old but I don't know his history. He's a shelter rescue, I've had him almost two weeks...be two weeks on Tuesday. I have no idea if those glands were ever cleaned I just know I couldn't find anything...how do I know I've found the empty scent gland then, and it just doesn't need to be done? His nails were bad I know that but that's since been looked after. The aftermath of me checking for these glands wasn't good...so this isn't something that I will be doing often. Milo was stressed and it was visibly apparent. His lop ears were pinned straight back and I was hugging him for his comfort...the poor thing was just stuff against me, breath going a mile a minute and just would not change position. This is not like Milo at all. He's a wiggle worm...you get a two minute hug from him and he wants to go. Those big eyes of his looked unhappy. I held him and talked soft. Every so often he would put his head under my hand and so I would pet his forehead, and head and give his ears some gentle massaging. I wrapped him up in the pad I was using and held him close. It took literally half an hour to calm him. Slowly but surely his breathing slowed and those lop ears came down. Eventually he got all hyper and struggled so I released him and he proceeded to do 'the flop' so I knew then that he was alright. Point being made, I have to do that as infrequently as possible. Don't get me wrong...I LOVED the snuggle, but he was one upset little man, something I don't want happening unless necessary. If someone can tell me just how to find that scent gland, even the empty one then I'll have another peek in a few days. Just in case I did not look properly and it needs to be done. He's fine now though, back to munching hay like a pig!
Sarah
Sarah
