Medicine for Diarrhea

[lygray]

Hello all,

Lola has had diarrhea for a little while but I know the cause of it…my father wont listen to me when I say she cant eat Alfalfa hay and crackers and all the good stuff, he just feeds her what she likes…He wont listen and I have even said she could die!!! anyways, I just got back from the vet and he does not want to give her imodium, instead he wants to give her ko peptade, or the old Kaocin pectazin. He couldnt find it in his handbook though and I cant find it online. I found a medicine called pet pectillin with pectin and kaolin but what do you all think?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

What exactly did the vet give you and say?

[Scarlet_Rose]

Hi lygray, loose stools are likely being caused by this unhealthy diet and any medicine you give your rabbit is just a temporary fix. What Lola really, really needs is a healthy, balanced diet with lots and lots of fiber in the form of timothy hay. I realize your father just does what he pleases, however can you give him healthier treats to give her like fresh sprigs of mint, papaya tablets, bunny cookies, pieces of fresh fruit? I would not dose your rabbit with the kaopectate, immodium etc. a lot of those products contain aluminum, which is not healthy. Do you have any quick or rolled oats in the house? Try a tablespoon of them instead. I’m also wondering the same thing K & K asked, what did the vet prescribe?

Also, from what you have written I am a tad confused if Lola is yours or his. If Lola is in fact yours, is it possible to move her to your room where you can keep a better eye on her and her diet? Have you had your father read information on rabbit diet at all? It may help. I find that if you offer someone a few education materials, they do eventually get around to reading it and they turn things around. I think that perhaps by you telling him that she could die (even though it is the truth) he believes you are joking because he has been doing this for some time and he sees no immediate danger because she is there the next day and the next day after that. Do you pay the vet bill? Perhaps make him start paying the vet bill because he is the reason why she has to go to the vet. Sometimes it is effective when they are affected in the wallet.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Here are some links to info:

Diet:

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-3/fiber.html

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-4/pellets.html

Diarrhea:

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/medical.html#digestive

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/poop.html

 I also wanted to add that you need to be very careful and be sure Lola is drinking enough fluids so you may want to find/buy some Pedialyte.

[BinkyBunny]

It sounds like your dad just doesn’t believe you as I doubt he would do anything to purposely put your rabbit in danger. Print out what Scarlet linked to show your dad. From your description, he sounds stubborn, so how you approach this with him may be important too. You, of course, know him best, but IF he one to not listen and thinks he’s right, you may want to avoid the “SEE!” method, you may try (if you haven’t already) to understand why he does what he does. If you don’t know, then ask him why it’s so important for him to stick to his guns? Sometimes people find that feeding their bunny is the only way they feel they can actually interact with rabbits. Plus, it gives them pleasure to see a rabbit get excited. And of course, IF this is the way your dad connects with them, then of course, you don’t want to take that away from your dad. But like Scarlet said, give him healthier treats to give. Keep mint, rosemary, and healthier treats (tiny pieces) in a treat bag or jar for him.

Keep us updated.

 

[bunnytowne]

I had the same problem with Hubby. He would feed loads of fruit and pieces of bread and not small pieces either. Poor Honey Bunny. I would tell him and tell him.  Finally we had visited the library and I happened to find modern bunny books.  I showed him the part about the fruit being bad for them and let him read it.

After that He slacked off on the fruit.  But sometimes I would go to bed then I would get up in the nite and find bread and mango seeds in there. So the battle began.   (no it didn’t really)

People can be so stubborn. They want to make the little bunny happy. And just can’t see the results of the improper feeding. Like poopy butt and sticky cecals stuck there.

[KatnipCrzy]

Does your bunny have loose stool (mushy) or runny diarrhea?  I think the distinction between the 2 condtions helps to determine treatment.   If you are unsure the med you found is what your vet wants the rabbit to have, I would make sure to clarify with a phone call to the vet. 

I am wondering if your vet was reluctant to prescribe/recommend Immodium even though dosage can be found online- because of possible side effects.  While you don’t want your bunny to have diah or mushy stool- if you give your bunny something that slows down the gut too much that is just as bad if not worse. 

If it is possible that there is a cause for the diah that might be ongoing (diet/treats) giving meds will only help temporarily.

I like some of the suggestions from others- have treat jar available with healthy treats in healthy sizes.  Also- obviously the bunny needed to go to vet for diah- ongoing vet bills or the possibility of is usually enough to get someone’s attention to change a certain behavior, even though you have been telling him- sometimes the wallet speaks louder than words.

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