Jerseys Poo

[jerseygirl]

Since we seem fairly comfortable discussing poop on the forums I thought I’d go ahead and post this photo.  I’ve made it a link so it’s not “in your face” right here in the post.   Jerseys poop.  Yes, I know you’ve all been waiting…..

But seriously, I need some thoughts on this. I discussed it a bit when she had the recent gut slowdown.  As you can see, it’s poop strung together with HAY.  Now that she eats it a bit this is quite common for me to see everyday.  I’m going to take some in for vet soon (lucky her) but just thought I’d see whether anyone else sees same with their bunnies and/or general thoughts.  By the way, her fecal pellets are often this dark and misshapen too, she eats a lot of green matter.

Click if your game…   http://i392.photobucket.com/albums/…llLife.jpg

[Sarita]

Are you certain that is hay? Talk to the vet about taking her off pellets – seems like this is what is always cause Pepe problems. Does she drink alot of water?

[Deleted User]

It really looks like undigested hay. I reminds me of my dogs’ ‘product’ when they have eaten grass.
I would say the shape is as oval as it is because of the stringing — droppings during a molt often look oval in my rabbits.
I am sure you had Jersey’s teeth looked at, have you? It really seems as if she swallows strands of hay unchewed. When you see her eating hay, how does she eat it, I mean, can you see her chewing?

[bunnytowne]

It does look like hay.   I have never seen this in my bunnies.   Yes you are right it is unusual and to check it out. 

[RachelB]

Slightly yucky question…… Have you broken it apart to see if it actually is hay, or if its hair? Ive found 2-3 stringy poos from my buns in the past few days . At first I thought it was hay. But when I broke it apart (I know yuck!!) I figured out that it was fur (they are both going through a big molt).  Now Ive been on them to drink more and eat more hay!!

If you’re game go ahead and try that! Haha!! Just wash your hands afterwards

[jerseygirl]

It’s definately hay. I only started seeing this after she took a interest in eating it. I’d seen the hair strung ones before. She has been drinking this past month but it has lessened a little now. Even when she was drinking more it not like copious amounts.   She tends to go for the hay when I put a new bit in – especially in the evening, they both go for it. But she sort of just picks up bits, chops them in half with incisors then drops them. Sort of plays with the hay more so. I never see her chewing a strand down like I do Rumball. His goes down like strand of spaghetti. She also doesn’t eat the coarser bits or the oat hay. It is possible during these times she just nibbles and swallows it and it all seems a bit “competative” in a way or just joining in the activity mentality -  but she is the one who loses interest first.

So, I don’t really see her chew, just see her head down, nibbling really. She only eat tiny amounts anyway.  I have been putting oaten chaff in a bowl and she’s slowly starting to have some of that. Rumball will happily eat it and any hay I put out.

I have reduced pellets or delayed serving them in my attempts to get her to eat more hay – but if she eats the hay – this happens! Lack of hay worries me as does this!

Rachel – no worries lol. Not such a yucky question….I’ve done the ‘examination’ before. ;o)

I sort of wonder whether her colon muscles don’t work to well – assuming these are what produce the round fecal pellets in other rabbits. Or perhaps that the matter is too lacking in dry fibrous material that it travels too sluggishly? Anyway, hopefully the vet can give a clue. Thanks guys, it’s not the best of topics I know, so I appreciate you taking a look.

Edit: I’ve just read some stuff on GI process in rabbits. It’s all a bit technical for me but I did read about a part of colon & colon motility that can be affected by some hormones. Interesting….

I’m thinking I might ask Dana Krempels about Jerseys odd fecals too.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Oh that is too weird that hay is coming out like that!!! {{Jersey}}

[RabbitPam]

That is hay- weird. I would wrap that in a bit of plastic or tin foil and bring it in a baggy along with Jersey to the vet. It may clearly tell the vet what’s going on. But I would definitely take her in for an appointment. We don’t want anything to get serious with our Jersey.

[jerseygirl]

I have an appt in 2 weeks. In the meantime, I’ll keep offering chaff – but she does eat some of the other hay. She seems to pass it but I do worry something is not functioning right and could cause on going GI issues. I did mention it to vet a few weeks ago and she said it was odd – however I’m a little wary that when I actually show her she won’t have anything to offer. I’m getting ahead of myself. I do think I’ll have to be an annoying, insistant client and push for some investigation. Though the clinic sees rabbits – I don’t think rabbit x-rays, sonograms, even fecal floats is all that common here(Australia). I am being presumptuous though.

I think I will have to ask for some thorough dental check up for starters. Any other things I could ask my vet to look into?

Edit: I have thought on this and from something Petzy said plus some reading, it it definately to do with her lack of chewing it.  I read a HRS article that said larger particles of indigestible fibre pass thru the digestive system faster but they were talking 5mm – not full strands of hay!!

[RabbitPam]

Well, if you don’t want to move up her appointment sooner, you might get stocked up a bit on softer foods just in case she stops chewing due to difficulty. I think it might be a good idea to call the vet and see if she can take jersey before two weeks from now.

[Deleted User]

Jersey, I am very curious what exactly your vet finds out. I hope he can fix the teeth for Jersey fast, and that you won’t see those weird “Still Lives”  any more.

I am forever quoting this info about rabbit teeth and the chewing of grass/hay:

http://www.vrra.org/dental.htm

3) Side-to-side chewing motion is required for a rabbit to chew grass, but mostly up-and-down motion to chew pellets, grains, etc. It is the side to side motion that prevents molar spurs from forming. Because the lower dental arcade is somewhat narrower than the upper, up-and-down motion will permit the formation of molar spurs fairly readily.

I am guessing then that you want the molars really examined. I suppose the vet will have to put Jersey under for this?

[jerseygirl]

I only sent this to Dana Krempels yesterday and already have a reply – i’m impressed!  The condition she mentions is something I’ve wondered about before but Jersey doesn’t quite fit the bill.  I have asked her some further questions (see end of post) to garner more info. 

QUESTION: Hello Dana

I have 2 house rabbits, bonded now for 5 months. Doe is 2, Buck is 3.  I’ve had the Doe from a young age.  She never really took to eating hay despite my efforts.  She ate limited pellets, lots of veggies, and grazes outdoors most days.  When I bought home the Buck and bonded them, I was happy to see she began to eat hay!  Not great amounts but at least giving it a go.

Now though, I consistently find poops all strung along strands of hay. I’ve seen the odd hair strung poop before but this is definitely hay.  She mustn’t be chewing it properly.   She had her teeth checked just recently though the vet couldn’t see all the way to the last molars that day. Could there another reason for this though? I’m always concerned about her fecals.  It wasn’t until I got the new boy (a good hay eater) that I saw how they should be.  Hers are always, dark, misshapen but firm.  They do tend to smell a little (of onions?) and I thought this might be territorial pellets but it seems all the time.

I’m in a quandary as I want to increase fibre in her diet yet when she eats hay, I get these odd strands.  I am due to see my vet soon but wanted to ask if you’ve come across this before.

Thank You!
Kate

ANSWER: Dear Kate,

Uh oh.  Your description of her large, misshapen poops makes me worry that she may be afflicted with a congenital disorder we sometimes call “cowpoop syndrome” in rabbits.  It is similar to a congenital disorder seen in horses that’s due to a failure of the neural crest cells in the embryo to properly migrate to the developing intestine and properly innervate it.  You can read about the horse condition (Lethal White Overo) here:

http://www.horse-genetics.com/overo-horses-LWO.html

A similar condition occurs in some rabbits, usually those who are white with some pigmentation on the back, eyes, and ears.  (i.e., dark-eyed white rabbits)  Early in life, they’re fine. But as they get older, the fecal poops become larger, misshapen, and hard to pass if sufficient liquid is not taken in orally.  The latter can be remedied by administration of lactulose, an osmotic laxative.  A failure to properly digest matter can also be typical of these rabbits, and might partly explain why she’s passing hay strands.

You don’t mention the color of the bunny, but I’m guessing she’s white with pigmented eyes.  (The condition can occur in other colors of rabbits, but is far more common in the white/dark eyed rabbits.)  If this is the case, and she does have “Cowpoop Syndrome”, then all you really can do is provide supportive/preventive care such as LOTS of oral hydration, osmotic laxatives, subQ fluids, etc.  It’s a management problem that will last her lifetime which, I’m sorry to say, may not be as long as that of her mate.

I have had three bunnies who suffered from this condition, and all died of intestinal problems directly related to the syndrome.  

I have heard of others who did live long lives with proper care.  No one knows why, or why some rabbits seem to be more severely afflicted than others (a chance of embryo development).  But if this is what your bunny has, it’s best to discuss this with your vet (some vets call this “mega colon,” but it’s not really the same as mega-colon you’d see in a carnivore, such as a cat) so you can get your bunny going on good oral prophylaxis.

I hope she’ll be fine for many happy years.

Dana

My reply to this:

“Dana, thank you so much for your prompt reply. In my original question I nearly gave a description of her as I have read what you have written about cowpoop syndrome before. She is white & tan with brown eyes. I have previously wondered whether she has this condition but she doesn’t have the signature large, marshmellowy poop. If she has this condition, could I start to see these later on? Currently there an assortment of sizes and shapes.
 
 Another reason I’ve thought she may have this is I had read these bunnies often have their cecal and fecal mixed together. Is that correct? I never see her cecals and she is one to eat some of her ‘normal’ fecal pellets too.
 
 I will read up more about the syndrome and discuss it with my vet. Is there ways they can definately diagnose this? Can I give her lactulose safely whether she has this or not?

Thank You again”

[Sarita]

Yeah, those cowpoop/megacolon rabbits are such a mystery. I will be interested to see what your vet knows about this condition. I know alot of other rescuers who have dealt with this and you get tons of different answers as to what you should do…it’s another one of those mysteries of rabbits. Keep us updated on what Dana replies and what your vet says.

[bunnytowne]

OH  my  I hope that this is something that is easily controlled.    RAbbits get really weird stuff don’t they.

Seems like they have more problems than cats n dogs.   Hang in there

[Deleted User]

Jersey’s poos aren’t misshapen, or ar they? My money is still on Jersey’s molars.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

WOW What a quick reply…I’ve read about cow poop syndrome before…is there treatment for it? I can’t remember.

Jers-maybe you should send Dana pictures of her poopies Bet she wouldn’t mind

[KatnipCrzy]

Kate-

  Do you have a link for an article that talks about “cow poop syndrome” not applied to a specific case?  I am just curious- since I think that Schroeder might have “cwp”- he had a bad GI episode months ago- with no known cause- and has quite often large, mis-shapen poops- but they are always quite dry- which would make sense I guess regarding that the Lactulose is recommended to rehydrate the gut.  And Schroeder fits the “color” pattern.  This has been something he has shown throughout the 10 months that I have had him.  I want to find a good article to show my vet- and also know the answer to your question to Dana about the Lactulose being dosed to a rabbit that “might not” have “cwp”.

  I have read a bit about cwp in passing- but never really applied it to Schroeder- thinking it was caused by rehoming, new diet, his GI illness, etc.  But reading her reply about Jersey really seems to FIT Schroeder unfortunately.  But maybe I can be proactive and treat with Lactulose and prevent and issue in the future and give him the best quality of life he can have with this genetic condition.

Julie

[jerseygirl]

Katnip, most of what I have read before has been in reference to specific cases. I don’t think theres a great deal written about it.  Maybe it’s not fully understood.  There doesn’t seem a way to do definitive diagnosis either.  Some other search terms are Cowpile syndrome, megacolon and congenital anganglionosis.

So far I have found :Rabbit Health in 21st C  -Kathy Smith  (Pg 46)  http://books.google.co.uk/books

translate.google.com.au/translate  Scroll down to “Megacolon”

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_dis…ential.htm Differential diagnosis. Also contains link to journal article – very technical. 

This also from journal and 2 of same authors  http://www.wrs.upv.es/files/journals/vol%203_1_wieberneit.pdf  Also a bit heavy reading (at least for me!)
If anyone has better info – please post link here.  So far what I have is either brief paragraphs or full, indepth scientific data that’s not exactly useful for discussions with the vet.

Lactulose is interesting, seems to be beneficial to health. Safe for humans – even babies and able to be given long term. I read a bit on it last night but now I can’t find specific info that I thought where it might be ok in rabbits digestive system.   Gotta stop reading too much of this stuff.  It’s not that I think “yes! That’s what she has!” more just something that has come up from time to time and I’ve read about before & I knew where to start looking.  So here I am again immersed in cowpoop syndrome….oh dear.

Petzy – yes, her poops are misshapen often. I don’t know….there’s probably a number of things to investigate yet.  Dana K mentioned these rabbits being ok when younger then developing symptoms. I just hope this isn’t the case for Jersey – or Schroeder for that matter.  It’s pretty much one of those conditions you just have to treat for a lifetime.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I can search vet journals, I have electronic access, and can email them to you Jers.

What’s the scientific name for ‘cow poop syndrome’ ? Just need that and I can search…well anyways I’ll just start right now, see what I can find

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Ok I’m emailing you a good article on all kinds of rabbit disorders

“Rabbit Gastroenterology
Brigitte Reusch BVetMed (Hons), MRCVS

Small Animal Hospital, University of Bristol, Division of Companion Animals, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Langford, Bristol BS40 4DU, UK”

that I found; I’ll keep looking.

[BinkyBunny]

This is all very interesting information. Though I have heard of this (seems like I have read about it), I didn’t really soak in some of the details that I am discovering now through this thread. Jack is a white bunny with dark eyes and light pigment on the back of his ears, so it’s something to keep my eye on! He has enough health issues to watch for as it is!

Even if Jersey ends up not having this, this was invaluable information as it seems to be a rather common issue. Sending healthy happy peace vibes your and Jersey’s way as I know trying to get to the bottom of this (vets visits etc) may be a little stressful.

[Sarita]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8822192

Did you have this one Jersey?

It doesn’t make any sense to me really.

I think it’s one of those things like bladder sludge that there is not much information on and there’s no cure only controls.

You could email Kathy Smith as well and see if she has any furher information.  I have her email if you want to PM me,

[KatnipCrzy]

I learned a ton thru this thread too!  I had read about “cow poop syndrome” when I first got Cotton.  I did not really put it together for Schroeder since the name is so misleading!  Cow poop to me means “pile”, “mushy”, etc.  But Schroeders poos are large, misshaped and dry looking- not what I would think of “cow poop” at all.  And I did show some of his dropping- normal and misshaped to the e-vet and regulat vet when he had his episode- but did not have any to take to the exotics vet- but I am unsure it would have been helpful anyway.

I will take some pics maybe tomorrow- I cleaned his cage today so I will wait until I have some good examples.  And since I switched Griifin to the pen alongside Schroeder to start bonding- I am sure there will be many poos that are not in the litterpan.

I kept thinking it was the stress of bringing him home, starting on a good diet, and then maybe it was “just him”- but it would be nice to know if this is something I can manage proactively instead of waiting for a relapse of what he had before- the cause was never determined.

[jerseygirl]

K&K, thanks for forwarding on the info. Sarita, thank you too – I had read that article but too easily was losing track of the ones I’d seen.

Julie, at this point I’m thing lactulose might be a good thing to administer once a week as a preventative measure – provided there are no adverse effects.  Dana had said that her own bunnies that she gave lactulose and simethicone seemed to do better.  It is confusing with the name “cowpoop” but now I understand that this is the result when hydrating the matter (rabbits own drinking or thru sub Q’s, osmotic laxitive such as lactulose etc) that it is then the cowpoop like poos are present.  It’s the hard matter that is the concern leading to blockages and scarring of the colon. 

Last night I read a post on a UK forum where a rabbit was ‘diagnosed’ and having megacolon.  This rabbit was a dark furred and did not produce all symptoms but the owner reported it passing long strands of hay also. That last part of course caught my attention.

This is Dana’s follow up on my questions:

 Dear Kate,

“I have previously wondered whether she has this condition but she doesn’t have the signature large, marshmellowy poop.”

Sometimes the condition first manifests as a variety of poop shapes other than the normal “cocoa puff” type.

“If she has this condition, could I start to see these later on?”

Yes, as long as the poops are well hydrated. They are not always large and marshmallowy if they are desiccated.

“Currently there an assortment of sizes and shapes.”

That’s not unusual for the early onset.

“I had read these bunnies often have their cecal and fecal mixed together. Is that correct? I never see her cecals and she is one to eat some of her ‘normal’ fecal pellets too.”

I’m not really sure if the poops are a mix, but they do seem that way. They are far more pungent than normal poops, and sometimes have a more cecal texture, but with more fiber. My suspicion is that there is a flaw in the cecal/fecal pathway, and the material does mix. But this hasn’t been confirmed, to my knowledge.

The fact that your bunny eats these poops (which I’ve seen other Cowpoopers do) strengthens that suspicion.

“Is there ways they can definately diagnose this?”

Not really. Just via symptoms as they develop.

“Can I give her lactulose safely whether she has this or not?”

It won’t hurt her unless you give it every day, long term. Then it can do the same damage to electrolytes that any other laxative could do.

Hope she’ll be fine, either way.

Dana

[RabbitPam]

I’m wondering at what age will a bunny with this condition start manifesting it?
Or, more to the point, at what age will a white bunny with dark eyes and some markings (like Sammy ) be out of the woods and not likely to get it?

I sincerely hope Jersey doesn’t have it, but if she does, may your vet be experienced and stocked up on the meds you need for her care and maintenance.
{{{{{{more healing vibes for Jerseygirl}}}}}}}}

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I just don’t like the comparison to lethal overo in horses-the little foals die in a few days, and it could have been tested for prior to breeding-but aside from that-scary!

Does anyone have the scientific name for cow poops? I can’t search specifically for it in jourals without a proper name…poop isn’t even in them

[RabbitPam]

K&K, only for you would I google search the term.

Cow feces or cow dung.

good grief.

[jerseygirl]

 

Lol ^   Ah…did I not start out this thread with “since we seem are fairly comfortable discussing poop….”?   I think that may have been an understatement!  So – technical term for cow poop…..Bovine excrement, Bovine Faeces…if your looking for term for cowpoop syndrome – try “congenital aganglionosis”.

An update:

I had the vet visit today for the 2 to have their booster shots. I took along a sample of Jerseys fecal pellets to show vet also. So she thinks it’s more like a GI motility disorder where things are passing to quickly through her system. Hence the undigested matter. It does make sense because that would mean then spent less time in the cecum fermenting and producing cecals. As I’ve mentioned, I’ve never seen Jerseys cecals yet this is common too right? Not to see them? Only one time when she was young she got some messy poop on her after travelling in the car. So, if things are moving too quickly, this could mean she’s not receiving the nutrition from her food. I’ve tried to look into GI hypermotility in rabbits with little success. I think it’s time to just step back from researching various issues for a bit and just let Jersey be Jersey. I’ve course, I’ll be observing her closely.

Anyway, her teeth checked out ok – again the vet could not see right to the very back. I do think chewing (or lack of it) is part of this though. Again, I’ll watch closely to see if she’s just scarfing down her food or taking time to chew. She has lost another few ounces too in the last few weeks and Rumball has apparently gained some…

On the cowpoop syndrome – the jury is out. Only time will tell if something like this manifests. The vet had not heard of megacolon in rabbits (not surprising as little seems to be known.) She is not a specialist but she is competent in general rabbit care. (by the way – think of the irony of a rabbit named Jersey having cowpoop syndrome!  I mean it is a serious thing and I really hope my Bub doesn’t have this – but I’m kinda glad I didn’t put her name in my question to Dana) 

 What ever the thing is with Jersey, my vet tells me it’s better to try different meds to see their effects than diagnostic tests as they are so invasive. Also, we don’t have a rabbit specialist in South Aus. So if things deteriorate and she starts having repeat GI episodes, then we will start medication to aid things. Meantime, she checks out as pretty healthy and thru all this, I feel I have some clues as to what to monitor.

RabbitPam, other than the info in this thread – I really don’t know what to tell you in regards to Sammy. I do think if she’s producing (and always has been) normal round rabbit poop – then you don’t need to worry about her.

 

[Sarita]

Very interesting about the hypermotility. Honestly, I think you should have your vet do the research if it comes to that – she probably has more resources than you do – I know though that I’m the same way you are – I want to know, even if I don’t really understand what the heck I’m reading sometimes (gotta get the vet to interpret). But if you do find something, let us know.

[KatnipCrzy]

I have given my vet the info from Dana Krempels- and she is going to research some sites that only vets can access and see what she can find.  Lactulose is a prescription- so it really falls onto the vet to investigate some to make a proper diagnosis that they are comfortable with.

I took a pic of some poos out of Schroeder’s pen- it might not be the best representative sample since I am swapping him and Griff back and forth and the boys are having “poo wars” along the shared wall.  But the misshaped poos are definitely Schroeder’s- Griffin has never produced those before.

Kate- I hope you don’t mind me jumping into this thread- it has been very helpful to me!

[jerseygirl]

Katnip, that’s fine! I think sharing this stuff helps us get a better picture – hopefully. Shcroeders gifts look very much like Jerseys generally are. I’m seeing an awful lot of this strung stuff though – especially today, though she’s not herself after her calilci shot yesterday.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

K&K, only for you would I google search the term.

Cow feces or cow dung.

good grief.

hahaha thank you pam my ‘got me stuck on farmville’ friend

she thinks it’s more like a GI motility disorder where things are passing to quickly through her system.

I’m no vet but I agree-she’s not colored like the afflicted buns and her poo doesn’t quite sound the same.

Anyway, her teeth checked out ok

What about her digesta? Like giving some pre/pro biotics? They are super important in rabbits-what would your vet say about benebac?

by the way – think of the irony of a rabbit named Jersey having cowpoop syndrome!

LMAO!! I NEVER would have connected that-too FUNNY!!!

Very interesting about the hypermotility. Honestly, I think you should have your vet do the research if it comes to that –

*hand up* I will too!! I’m for some reason not particularly interested in keeping this job lol so I have time I have access to australia vet journal and others I’ll see what I can do

Jerseygirl Did you get my email? Just wanna make sure B4 I try to send more!

[jerseygirl]

I got it thanks. Didn’t you get my reply? Love the avatar and siggy by the way. Especially Kokanee in the light.

[MimzMum]

I’ve been hopping in and out of this thread for awhile and it reminds me that Pip has sometimes left some strange shaped poos in her box, not during a molt, btw, that sound a lot like what you’re describing in Jersey, Kate. But Pip is a palomino/lionhead cross. (I also haven’t dissected these strange poos, so cannot be sure they are the same thing. Do strange poos always indicate this ‘cowpoop’ syndrome?)
However, since switching all the bunnies to the 3rd cut timothy hay that Sarita pointed me to, (thanks again so much Sarita!), All bunnies are making almost the exact same poos; small, dry, dark (very dark) and not chained together in any way, even though all three are blowing their coats right now.
Definitely a different odor to them as well…and, except for Fiver, not as many uneaten cecals.
I think you’re getting some excellent advice for Jersey, and don’t doubt for minute you’re on the right track…yet I still wonder if what she’s eating could be a contributing factor, not necessarily how she’s digesting it. What is her current feed now?
I just keep seeing patterns in bunnies who eat pellets, or any mass produced store bought hay these days. Some of this processed food out there doesn’t seem to be nourishing our bunnies, if any thing it appears to be making them ill. This and the thread about the intestinal illnesses that seem to be going around the show routes…although none (or very few) of us show our bunnies, all our bunnies have to eat and something in the feed could be bad.
It just seems odd that so many pets seem to suddenly have digestive troubles in the last few years…particularly since the incidents with the tainted food from Asia.
Sending the strongest possible healing vibes for Jersey your way! (((((((((((((((((((((((Jersey))))))))))))))))))))))) And how is Rumball doing? He’s not having any problems, I hope? (Does he go with you and Jersey to the dr.?)

[jerseygirl]

But Pip is a palomino/lionhead cross. (I also haven’t dissected these strange poos, so cannot be sure they are the same thing. Do strange poos always indicate this ‘cowpoop’ syndrome?)

MM, I really don’t know. There is little study done on this syndrome. For the record, though it is commonly seen in rabbits with certain colouring – it is not exclusive to them.
Also, from a link I posted earlier (translate.google.com.au/translate) – this is the reason for the poop being cowpile-like (not only from rabbit self hydrating or from assisted hydration like I had thought.): 
 

It seems that this problem is caused by a malformation or malfunction of the colon and / or blind. It was’ discovered that rabbits with En En gene show a reduction in the rate of absorption of sodium through the wall of the cecum. This indicates a Excessive liquefaction of ingested material in the proximal part of the large intestine.

 

What is her current feed now?

They have oaten and meadow hay, share 2 Tablespoons of a alfalfa based pellet a day and veggies (mainly parsley, carrot tops, romaine – sometimes broccoli, brussel sprouts when in season, celery.)
Treats – apple skin, banana (rare – they go nuts), pepita & sunflower seeds, rolled oats, goji berries (wolfberry). Of course treats are limited ;o)
I hear your concerns on the pellets. I’m getting wary too having read the thread about the illness affecting the show rabbits and possible link to feed. My long term plain was always to get them pellet free but because Jersey never took too eating lots of hay, I’ve always kept the pellet in the diet – though it is minimal. 
 

And how is Rumball doing? He’s not having any problems, I hope? (Does he go with you and Jersey to the dr.?)

Yes he did. He went in for his calici shot too. He had one in May but I get them 6 monthly because calicivirus is often re-released here – BOO!
Rumball really helps in getting Jersey to eat hay. For instance – he was chewing away on his oat hay last night and I gave Jersey some oaten chaff with some alfalfa leaf in a bowl. When he came over to have some of it, she went to the box and started eating some of the oat hay! I’ve not seen her really go for it so I hope she’s developing a taste for it.

Sorry this is getting so lengthy… I wanted to add what I read about fibre. For those who want to read, the relevant part I’m referring too is under sub heading “Particle sizes and Transit times” From: http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-3/digestibility.html

In a nutshell it describes how the larger particle sizes of fibre travel throught the digestive system quicker. I also found this line assuring: 
 

Contrary to what you might expect, the large particles don’t get stuck inside the rabbit while the small ones exit easily. It’s the other way around.

Anyway, it brings me back to chewing – if Jersey doesn’t chew the hay up – it would make sense it’s going thru her system quicker as the vet suggested, according to this info. ^

[jerseygirl]

Just a quick, happy poop update   Jersey hasn’t had this strung poop for near a week. She’s also taken to oat hay the last 3 days and is producing lighter brown & round poops. Yay!   She’s an enigma, I don’t know why she’s suddenly become interested in the oat hay but I’m happy she is.  Hope I don’t jinx myself be mentioning this…

[MimzMum]

Oh I know how you feel, Jerz. I’ve felt that way for months with Mimzy’s eternal sneezing problem and his subsequent ‘cures’. But the description you have of how Jersey’s bb’s are forming is very familiar. Pip LOVES her oat hay and eats it to the point of getting huge, but it keeps things moving right along nicely, so whenever I need her to pass a particularly heavy shed, I feed it to her nonstop till we’re done. She passes exactly the same kind of poos you’re talking about.

[Author]

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