Advice on diet for new bunny with the runs

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 11sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 9 months ago by RabbitPam.

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- 05/11/2010 at 12:25 PM
  Digbietta
  Participant
  8 posts
  Hi – I hope you don’t mind me asking a spot of advice if anyone has time…?
  
  I got a new bun at the weekend to bond with my existing bunny. They live in separate cages and in an effort to get the new bunny (a rescue rabbit that had been seized by the RSPCA from people treating her very badly) into a solid and regular routine as soon as possible have been feeding her exactly what I feed Digby: a tablespoon full of high quality fibre nuggets in the morning and one in the evening, a small chunk of carrot and small chunk of broccoli in the morning and evening, with constant access to ordinary hay and timothy hay mix and plenty of water throughout the day. I understand that the rabbit had a similar diet to this whilst in the rescue centre, but I don’t know exact amounts or brand names which are likely to have changed.
  
  The new bun seems happy, is acting fine and showing no signs of unhealthiness except for the fact that she is occasionally doing very, very runny (water-like) poos. This is only small amounts and very occasionally (1-2 times over a 24 hour period) – I have been keeping an eye on her movements and for the most part she is happily doing constant and properly formed pellets. I know that her runs are likely due to a change in environment and it has only been a couple of days but can anyone opinionate on whether I should:
  
  a) Cut out all nuggest and fresh, just provide constant hay, water and possibly some rolled oats? Then introduce things slowly and one at a time as per internet guidance.
  
  b) Continue as we are with the idea that her digestive system will start to get used to things after a couple more days?
  
  I am worried about doing a) in case she isn’t getting everything she needs, or that depriving her of things at this stage means that she won’t ever be able to process things. I am worried about doing b) in case she continues to have the runs and it permanently damages or kills her (as per internet scaremongering). I know that in the past Digby has occasionally had brief bouts of runnypoo but for the most part she has an iron constitution that can handle and recover from anything. I don’t know if I am overreacting to the new bun having a spot of bother or not?!
  
  I’m aware that I’m a worrier and am being a bit lame, but I would really appreicate any advice anyone feels able to offer.
  
  Thank you,
  
  Jo.
- 05/11/2010 at 12:32 PM
  Elrohwen
  Participant
  7318 posts
  Very runny poos in a young rabbit is extremely dangerous. I would take her to a vet immediately.
- 05/11/2010 at 12:39 PM
  Digbietta
  Participant
  8 posts
  Thanks for your reply – this rabbit is aged at around 18 months old, seems a really healthy weight, is happy and bouncy and has had a checkup with the vet one week ago. Does this change anything?
- 05/11/2010 at 12:42 PM
  Elrohwen
  Participant
  7318 posts
  Hmm, 18 months old isn’t that young – I assumed she was a baby for some reason. Still, watery poos are never good. Soft cecals can be normal, but not runny.
  
  Was she having the issues when she saw the vet? I would call them and ask if they would like to see her. She could have something that the vet didn’t catch by looking her over and knowing about her watery poo could change the vet’s opinion on her health.
- 05/11/2010 at 12:49 PM
  Digbietta
  Participant
  8 posts
  Yeah – I was going to ring the vet and the rabbit rescue lady first thing tomorrow (its a bit late here in the UK) but was wondering if anyone knew anything in the meantime. I’m pretty sure that it is just being in a new place with a slightly new diet that has done it so I am most tempted to cut out nuggets and fresh food (leaving hay, water and some oats) for a day and see how that pans out. I just desperately want to get it right – my other bunny died 2 weeks ago and even though I have been assured that it was nothing I did and not in any way my fault I’m so paranoid and worried about doing something wrong to hurt this bunny!
- 05/11/2010 at 12:54 PM
  Elrohwen
  Participant
  7318 posts
  I would cut out the oats too and stick with hay and water.
  
  Don’t worry about being paranoid! We’ve all been there! And this doesn’t sound like you being paranoid to me – this sounds like it could be an actual serious medical issue. Good luck to your new little bunny!
- 05/11/2010 at 1:06 PM
  Digbietta
  Participant
  8 posts
  Ok thanks very much for your help – I really really appreciate this forum and everyone that gets back to me with advice. Thank you. I’ll cut everything out and keep a really close eye on her. Cheers, Jo.
- 05/11/2010 at 1:15 PM
  Monkeybun
  Participant
  10479 posts
  I’d cut out the carrot and broccoli for sure, and just do the hay and water for a few days. A day won’t tell you much, you’ll have to limit her diet for longer than that.
- 05/11/2010 at 1:37 PM
  Digbietta
  Participant
  8 posts
  Will her system be alright for a few days on this limited diet? I think it will likely help but I’m just worried about doing lasting damage. Bunnies are supposed to be okay without fresh and nuggets (apparently they are able to make the things they need such as vitamins, unlike guinea pigs who need to be provided with fresh) but it doesn’t stop me worrying. Unfortunately I only know a guinea pig specialist, not a rabbit specialist!
- 05/11/2010 at 2:15 PM
  Elrohwen
  Participant
  7318 posts
  I just worry because runny poo in baby rabbits like that can cause death in mere hours. Some soft cecals can be the result of diet, but I have never heard of runny poos being fixed by a change in diet. Definitely call the vet as soon as you can. I don’t think the hay will fix the issue, but it may help for now.
- 05/11/2010 at 3:14 PM
  KatnipCrzy
  Participant
  2981 posts
  I would check to see if the bunny had a fecal checked- as intestinal parasites can cause loose stool.
  
  I would not give the brocolli as that is sometimes not tolerated well by bunnies with sensitive tummies.
  
  Here is a list of recommended and what can be trouble causing for bunnies with sensitive tummies (though it usually presents in gas/bloating rather than watery stool)
  
  https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO…fault.aspx
- 05/12/2010 at 4:29 PM
  RabbitPam
  Moderator
  11002 posts
  It is possible that the change in environment as well as not knowing what she had been eating before can be contributing to the runny poos.
  It would be safe to call the vet tomorrow and tell her, especially if your bunny was seen a week ago. It may be something that finally manifested that now needs treatment.
  
  It won’t hurt, and may help, to have her on just the hay and water for a day or two. She will get the necessary nutrients from her cecals, if she’s producing them.
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