How gradually do I need to add greens into West’s diet?

[bunnnnnnie!]

West never got greens at the Humane Society.  Every I time I give him just a tiny bit (like 1/4 of a romaine leaf), he gets soft poops.  A baby carrot he’s ok with, but the romaine, no.

I thought 1/4 of a romaine leaf once daily would be a good way to start.. but looks like it’s not.  Should I start with even less?  Just forgo the greens for awhile until he gets settled and relaxes some more?  He’s a very good eater, loves his hay and pellets.

[Sarita]

Did the humane society do a fecal test on him? Many times rabbits who come from shelters are susceptible to coccidia – I’m not saying West has this, but it might be a good idea to get a fecal to make sure he doesn’t have coccidia.

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By Sarita on 01/06/2012 11:07 AM
Did the humane society do a fecal test on him? Many times rabbits who come from shelters are susceptible to coccidia – I’m not saying West has this, but it might be a good idea to get a fecal to make sure he doesn’t have coccidia.

I don’t think they did, I can ask the vet tomorrow about it.  How long does it take to get the results from a fecal test?

He doesn’t have soft poops UNLESS I feed romaine, FWIW.  Without the romaine his poops are normal.

 

[bunnnnnnie!]

I should probably clarify a bit too.. the poops are soft in that they almost are like a cross between a regular poop and a cecal.  Not runny, watery, or mucusy.  No strong odor.  They don’t stick to his fur, his bum is clean.

He is kinda fat, I wonder if they ARE cecals and he’s not able to get to them?   I’ve heard something about fat bunnies and not ingesting their cecals.  But like I said, it’s only when given the romaine, so I’m not sure.

[Sarita]

I think most vets can do the fecal test on site.

I think it’s always a good idea to get a fecal from a rabbit who comes from a shelter – no matter how clean the shelter may be, they are usually all volunteers and there is always the possibility for cross contamination with litter boxes, etc…

I do understand that you see it only happening with the romaine as well. As far as that goes, who knows if he’s ever had any veggies at all in his diet since the humane society didn’t know his past. It could just take awhile for his gi system to balance out with any new food. So maybe giving less would be better. Or maybe a few sprigs of cilantro or parsley (whatever you feed Zeus).

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By Sarita on 01/06/2012 11:25 AM
I think most vets can do the fecal test on site.

I think it’s always a good idea to get a fecal from a rabbit who comes from a shelter – no matter how clean the shelter may be, they are usually all volunteers and there is always the possibility for cross contamination with litter boxes, etc…

I do understand that you see it only happening with the romaine as well. As far as that goes, who knows if he’s ever had any veggies at all in his diet since the humane society didn’t know his past. It could just take awhile for his gi system to balance out with any new food. So maybe giving less would be better. Or maybe a few sprigs of cilantro or parsley (whatever you feed Zeus).

So if I ask for the fecal test during his checkup could they get the results while I’m still there?  I’ll definitely ask the vet about it in either case.

Zeus is a cilantro lover, so maybe we’ll get some of that and give it a shot.  I need to go grab greens after work today anyways.

[Sarita]

Also, how is he at eating his hay?

I just read your second post and you are probably spot on about his weight.

[Stickerbunny]

Could be cecals, though, cecals typically reek and you said there is no smell. I would go with trying a different green, it’s possible that he is just sensitive to romaine right now.

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By Sarita on 01/06/2012 11:44 AM
Also, how is he at eating his hay?

I just read your second post and you are probably spot on about his weight.

 

So is that true, fat buns can’t eat most/all? of their cecals?  I swear I remember reading that somewhere but I wasn’t sure.  He was on ad lib alfalfa based pellets, and there were lots of commercial treats near the rabbits’ cages, so he probably wasn’t on the best diet.  He’s a chubby guy.  He’s STARVING TO DEATH! on 1/3 cup of pellets a day.

[bunnnnnnie!]

Posted By Stickerbunny on 01/06/2012 11:58 AM
Could be cecals, though, cecals typically reek and you said there is no smell. I would go with trying a different green, it’s possible that he is just sensitive to romaine right now.

I’ll give the cilantro a try and see what happens.  Thanks for the tip!

 

[bunnnnnnie!]

Oh, Sarita I forgot to mention, he’s a hay vaccuum.  Looooves it.  However he hates how I arrange it in his litterbox.. he paws it and throws it around every time I give him fresh hay, gets it where it SHOULD be thank you very much, THEN eats it.

[Author]

Messages