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› FORUM › DIET & CARE › Cecal Dysbiosis
Finn has been a little off over the past week with a sticky bum
After a little research I feel it might be Cecal Dysbiosis. He is due back at the vet next week, but until then I am going to TRY and change his diet. By introducing more hay and less pellets (and cut temporarily out the kale, which he wont be happy about).
At the moment they are both on Meadow Hay – is there any high fibre hay you would recommend for this?
Thanks
I cared for a foster bunny with this, and it was very stressful and very scary. He oscillated between extreme gas, stasis, then mucousy wet piles of huge, poorly formed poops. This disorder is also usually associated with the En En gene (the “charlie” markings), which Finn doesn’t have. It is very rare as well. Our vet has worked with our local rabbit rescue for over 20 years and has seen it twice. It is also associated with weight loss and muscle wasting, as rabbits with this are unable to get their nutrients from their cecum.
Just having a sticky bum sounds more like excess cecotropes, usually due to too many pellets, treats, or starchy foods.
Can you describe Finn’s symptoms in detail? If you list his full diet that might also help hone in on the culprit.
Important things are fiber and moisture. Try not to make any major changes.
. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
Posted By DanaNM on 3/31/2018 4:01 PM
I cared for a foster bunny with this, and it was very stressful and very scary. He oscillated between extreme gas, stasis, then mucousy wet piles of huge, poorly formed poops. This disorder is also usually associated with the En En gene (the “charlie” markings), which Finn doesn’t have. It is very rare as well. Our vet has worked with our local rabbit rescue for over 20 years and has seen it twice. It is also associated with weight loss and muscle wasting, as rabbits with this are unable to get their nutrients from their cecum.Just having a sticky bum sounds more like excess cecotropes, usually due to too many pellets, treats, or starchy foods.
Can you describe Finn’s symptoms in detail? If you list his full diet that might also help hone in on the culprit.
Important things are fiber and moisture. Try not to make any major changes.
His cecotropes are very ill formed hence why he probably cannot intake them. Two I saw particularly caught my eye — one was a weird pile and the other was like a caterpillar. A lot more moist then normal and smell a little different (not that I am making effect to smell them but you can regardless!).
There has been no change in his diet and his diet consist of hay, excel pellets and kale (and a small bit of apple now and again).
Since this started up last week, his been off his pellets and hay and only wants to eat kale (which i have taken him off). Because his not eating hay like he did, I have had to give him a small amount of pellets (mushed as he has no teeth). However his not eating either…or at least much of that i see.
This morning his poop was more watery so i gave him a small wash and his medication and added more fresh hay to his box that i keep him in when his sick. His nibbled a bit of hay so i am keeping my eye on him. His booked at the vet next week.
Maybe you could try Fibafirst sticks or VetCare Plus Digestive Health formula? I don’t know if incisors are required for that type of very long (3-4 inches long, 1/3 inches thick) pellets, but it’s what I give my Bam who doesn’t eat nearly as much hay as I’d like him to. He’s prone to poopy butt.
I don’t think there’s any hay that’s better than meadow hay. Meadow hay is a mix of lots of various grasses, so the exact composition can vary quite a lot.
With the bunny I was caring for with cecal dysbiosis, he never had normal poops. They were always misshapen, soft, various sizes.
Water poop means keep an eye out for dehydration, as water that should be absorbed isn’t. Also being off his other food would be alarming to me. Can you offer him critical care?
Is there a reason why he only gets kale and no other veggies?
You can also try giving bene-bac (a pro-biotic). Most bunnies love it, and many people here have said it helps with poopy-butt.
What medications is he on? those could also be upsetting his tummy.
. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
FYI, here is the thread I had going about that bunny I had with dysbiosis. https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/155807/Default.aspx
. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
Thank you for your reply. his a little better. No watery poop yesterday. Slightly sticky but nothing a wipe couldn’t handle.
His on Fibreplex and i do not believe its that as he had a sticky bottom before taking that — plus it happens early morning mostly.
His cecotropes are also very random, like he will drop bits here and there when he moves. What has been annoying when his been out free range.
His a little better but Ill keep an eye on him. Is the bene-bac from the vet?
Dawn has been diagnosed with this problem as well. We’re starting her on a probiotic/papaya enzyme supplement that one of our rabbit rescue friends swears by. Really hope it helps. Wiping poopy but is about my least favorite thing to do.
Dawn doesn’t much care for the process either. :/
You can get bene-bac online. I like the pre-mixed gel /paste kind vs. the one in a powder form. There isn’t a rabbit specific one, to my knowledge. They use it to help wean orphaned cotton tails as it helps establish the right gut ph.
My bunnies love it!
. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
Bam gets a probiotic when he has a bout of sticky poop. Benebac is good. Protexin that makes Fibreplex also makes probiotic pellets for maintenance use, but Benebac is more potent and Finn might need sth powerful to get his gut back on track. ,
Bindi gets Benebac once a week to help with his mushy poos.
› FORUM › DIET & CARE › Cecal Dysbiosis
