Achieving Digestive Balance

[BrunosMama]

Our first 6 bunnies have been, for the most part, easy. They eat fine, they poop fine, they drink fine, they’re active, and friendly. But dangit, Biscuit has been a handful and its been less than a month! Since the first night we had her home, we’ve been struggling to regulate her digestive system. She started off with runny poo, then mushy poo. We cut out pellets for a couple days and she seemed to do better. Things firmed up and she didn’t require butt baths anymore. But she acted like she was starving and I read baby buns should always have pellets (she’s under 4 months, I’d say) So we started adding back in pellets slowly and watched her poo and backside. She did good. We even gave her some greens and she did well with those too. But today I checked her backside and it was caked in poop again. I tried using wet wipes to clean it, but I think she’s going to need a butt bath. So I don’t know if she had too many pellets. I have to admit, we don’t technically measure any of the buns pellets. We just use a scoop, maybe about 1 cup in size to put pellets in their dish. Although she has been getting a bit less from the big buns. But I’m thinking she has fallen in love with pellets and lost her interest in hay so much.

Hopefully it will get sorted out soon!

[Aeyja]

Harvey has had gut issues for about 2 months now (since before we got him) which we initially thought was mucoid enteritis, but he has since tested positive for coccidiosis so it may be due to that. When we got him we removed pellets and any veggies/fruit altogether for about a week and only fed him wholegrain oats and hay, and after about a week of normal looking poo started veeeeeeery slowly reintroducing pellets (I’m talking like 1 a day for a few days, then 2 for a few days, then 3…) and watching his poo to make sure he was handling it ok. Once we knew he could handle the small amount of pellets I tried giving him a small piece of banana but his tummy didn’t agree with that, so it was back to oats and tiny amounts of pellets. Only after about two weeks of normal poo I have tried giving him craisins, and so far he seems to be ok, but I haven’t tried him on any greens yet. He has unlimited access to oats and hay, and the pellets are fed to him by hand as his treats. He still only gets about a tablespoon of pellets a day. He also gets Protexin in his water as a probiotic.

 

If you can’t get Protexin you can also try feeding a probiotic yoghurt. It was recommended to me to give 10mL twice daily, but Harvey is a flemish giant so I’m not sure if it would be the same. I just find the Protexin easier because it doesn’t require a battle with the syringe 

[MoveDiagonally]

Since she is a newer bunny, have you had her tested for Coccidia?

[BrunosMama]

I have never heard of coccidia. So I looked it up. it definitely sounds like a possibility. She has the mushy poops. It also mentioned bloating. This would explain her tummy. It’s very round for her size, but her ribs/spine are quite easy to feel. She also always acts starving. I am going to get hold of the vet in the morning. Hopefully they will have an idea. thanks!

[JackRabbit]

My lops both had coccidia when we got them. It’s apparently pretty common in baby buns. Vet can prescribe meds that take care of it. No more poopy butt!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Best of luck! Hope the vet can get her tummy issues all figured out for you!

[Sarita]

Yes, have the vet test her poops for coccidia – I imagine it could be that.

[BrunosMama]

Well, little Biscuit went to the vet today. It went well, I think. He said she could stand to gain a little weight. He thinks the poop problems are dietary, that she may have a sensitive tummy. He’s doing a poop test though just to be sure. He also thinks she has a sinus infection, so he’s putting her on Baytril. He suggested I give her a little yogurt to help rebuild enzymes. Has anyone been successful with any particular flavor? He suggested pineapple flavor. But he said she has a lot of positive behaviors, so he thinks she will be fine in no time. Yay!

[LongEaredLions]

No yogurt. Bunnies can’t handle dairy.
I hope she gets better soon!

[LittlePuffyTail]

My vet suggests Benebac to help the digestive system during a course of antibiotics. This is a probiotic you can get from your vet or some pet stores carry it.

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