It’s basically the same (concept) as Critical Care – APD’s doesn’t appear to have all their analysis in just yet on the vitamins, etc….both have the probiotic properties.

Here’s the info on American Pet Diners:

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS:

Crude Protein, not less than………………………………………………………15.0%
Crude Fat, not less than………………………………………………………………2.0%
Crude Fiber, not less than…………………..………………………………………18.0%
Crude Fiber, not more than……………………..………………………………….25.0%
Ash, not more than………………………..……….…………………………………..12.0%
Calcium, not less than……………………………….………………………………0.50%
Calcium, not more than……………………..……………………………………….0.80%
Phosphorus, not less than…………………….…..……………………………….0.45%
Sodium, not more than……………………..……………………………………..…0.55%
Vitamin C, not less than.……………………………………………………93 mg/lb

Vitamin A TBD
Vitamin D TBD
Vitamin E TBD
Vitamin B12 TBD
Digestible Energy TBD
Iron, Copper, Zinc, Niacin TBD

Benefits

CRITTER BE BETTER Formula is a ground formulation of a complete American Pet Diner Timmy based pellet ration and a superior mix of direct fed microbials to improve the microflora and digestion system in your herbivore (rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla, prairie dog, reptile or other rodents. This formula is intended for temporary use of an ill animal (reasons below in “Reasons to Feed”); or an animal unable to chew or eat normal feeds; or monthly use 2 to 4 says per month to bring microflora back into balance.

Reasons to feed:

Intended for temporary or occasional use for animals that are:

• Post-surgical
• Stressed
• Sick
• Lack of appetite
• Eating problems, lack of ability to chew and/or swallow
• Diarrhea
• Light or minor respitory problems
• Underweight
• Add micro-flora back into their system
• Get the animal eating, digesting and defecating normally
  • Consult your veterinarian for other or more serious conditions and if the current condition worsens. Don’t wait; take you pet to the veterinarian immediately.

WAYS TO FEED

1. Syringe Feed very liquid: mix with water*/juice** and feed through a syringe, very liquid Mix with water until formula will pass through a syringe approximately 4:1 ratio water to powder formula
2. Plop into bowl-mushy: for consistency of mashed potatoes mixed approximately 3:1 ratio water/juice to powder formula
3. Form into balls-semi thick: make a paste ball by mixing approximately 2:1 ratio water/juice* to powder formula
4. Sprinkle or mix on a food-dry: sprinkle on food the animal is used to consuming such as mashed bananas, canned pumpkin, canned baby food, or other mashed or puréed food that the animal is accustomed to.

* Use water that has been at a full boil for 5 minutes, and then allowed to cool to a warm temperature 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

** Juice – use juice such as apple or cranberry mix that your pet is used to

Be sure to refrigerate any formula that you have added moisture to. Uses within 48 hours, then discard any unused formula. Good to only make up what you are going to use for the days feedings.

Here’s the info on Oxbow’s Critical Care:

Ingredients
Timothy Grass Meal, Soybean Hulls, Wheat Germ Meal, Oat Groats, Wheat Middlings, Soybean Meal, Cane Molasses Products, Salt, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Limestone, Yeast Culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement (tocopherol), Colloidal Silica, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (vitamin K), Riboflavin, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, Thiamine, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Pyrodoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid,Sodium Selenite, Magnesium Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Cobalt Carbonate, Magnesium Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Mineral Oil, Calcium Iodate, Lactobacillus sporogenes, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus plantarium, Streptococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Papaya, Pineapple, and Natural Flavors.

Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein (min) 16.00%
Crude Fat (min) 3.20%
Crude Fiber (min) 21.00%
Crude Fiber (max) 25.00%
Calcium (min) 0.40%
Calcium (max) 0.60%
Phosphorus (min) 0.25%
Digestible Energy 2.69kcal/g
Additives
Vitamin A 19,000 IU/kg
Vitamin D3 900 IU/kg
Vitamin E 190 IU/kg
Vitamin B12 13 mcg/kg
Ascorbic Acid 50 mg
Niacin 42 mg
Iron 184 ppm
Zinc 64 ppm
Copper 5 ppm

Well probiotics don’t really have anything to do with gut motility either. There’s not actual proof that probiotics do anything either since none of this stuff is found in rabbit’s guts – it doesn’t hurt and most people do think it helps.

But it’s not a gut motility drug like metroclopromide or cisapride.

Here’s an article I’ve found about probiotics and rabbits.

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_diseases/P…iotics.htm

I guess there is no definitive about whether probiotics do actually help – I guess since there is no harm it’ cannot hurt to use them.  I give acidopholous tablets as treats because the rabbits like them and they come in banana, blueberry and strawberry – all rabbit approved flavors.

I give antibiotics frequently to my rabbits without the probiotic and I don’t see any negative side effects to giving without the probiotic.