Small Poops

[Bunnisox]

 I have 3 rabbits (Muffins, Waffuls, and Mika), they’re all about 3 years old, and I have been seeing Muffin’s poops quite small, and irregularly shaped for the past few weeks. Muffins is a male Norweigan Dwarf, who has a bit more fur/fluff to him than the other 2. He’s still running around doing binkys, flopping on the ground, and eating normally. I suspect he may have a blockage, which may stem from digesting his own fur, and also could be some carpet in there as I caught him digging up our carpet about a month ago.

Firstly, let me say that I know that he should be taken to a vet. Please please trust me when I say that I love my rabbits more than anything. I’ve given up my place to live a few months back because my landlords said I had to get rid of them (thank god it happened when I got my tax returns and I could afford to move) – and that whole ordeal cost me over $2,000. I live paycheck to paycheck, and money is tight. If I had the money, and a vehicle, I would absolutely do it – but I do not. I take the bus to get to where I need to go, and the only vet around my area that can see rabbits is incredibly far. A taxi ride would run me roughly $100 there & back (I’ve put a lot of thought and planning into this whole scenario). I sincerely try to be a good bunny mama to them and take as best of care of them as I possibly can. I spend roughly $80/wk in greens for them to make sure they eat well, plus the monthly cost for their hay, pellets, and toys. I’ve even gone weeks without buying food for myself at the grocery store just so they would have their greens (hooray for ramen!). I know that if he stops eating or stops pooping, we’re in serious trouble. I’ve cried myself to sleep a few times these past few weeks because I’d feel just awful if anything happened to him. I’m doing my very best to avoid that situation.. So please, any help or advice would be sincerely appreciated.

I’ve been monitoring his poops and eating habits on a daily basis, to ensure he’s still eating normally and still producing poops. I’ve been monitoring his behavior, to ensure he’s not lethargic or “hunched up” – I’ve yet to see any sign of noticeable pain. I’ve been massaging his stomach every day, several times a day to try to help stimulate movement. I’ve even stopped clipping his nails for the past few weeks because it’s a “traumatic” thing for them (they don’t like it and it scares them when we have to corner them to do it), and I’m trying to keep him calm/happy. I’ve been giving him leafy greens each day (like I normally do) but I’ve been adding more water to them – to try to ensure that if there is a blockage, it doesn’t “dry up”. He has ample access to timothy hay – I always keep plenty in their bunny condo itself, but since I’ve noticed his poops were smaller, I’ve been adding little “hay boxes” around the house trying to encourage extra consumption.

 

I don’t know what else to do at this point. I was hoping with everything I was doing, that the situation would clear up – but it’s been almost a month. Can anyone offer me any other advice or help, please?

 

I’ve included a photo of his poops compared to my healthy rabbits poops. His are on the right side, noticeably.

 

[Gina.Jenny]

https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/145391/Default.aspx

pineapple juice is thought to help clear hair blockages, so that could be worth trying?

also, you might find the above thread worth a read?

looking at those poops, your bunny needs more fibre. is there any way you could get some clean fresh grass, as that might tempt Muffin to tuck in, and get things moving?

[jerseygirl]

Hi Bunnisox

I’m sorry you’re facing this with Muffin at the moment. It definitely appears hes having some sort of gut slowdown. It’s good he’s still producing some poos. He definitely needs more fibre and fluids. You’ve made some good choices to help with that.
Id also try getting him eating something like Critical Care. You can mix it up thicker and even shape it into little patties or balls. Im not certain if its only available through vet clinics. My vet stocks it but it’s out with their other products in reception. So I can buy a bag without having to take a rabbit in. You might be able to find a clinic that you can get it through. 
Otherwise, you could make a “pellet mush”. There’s a little about that in this article under the Encouraging Bunny To Eat
 heading.
http://www.mybunny.org/info/gi-stasis/
I’d mix canned (or cooked fresh) pumpkin with it. Good fibre and the pectin in it can help protect the stomach lining.

The other thing I’d try is some hydration formulas. Either out out in a bowl where he can access but the other 2 cannot. Or you may have to syringe feed it to him. I understand you want to avoid doing that. He might even take it out of the syringe without you having to pick him up. They like the saltiness of these formulas. Ideally, look for something with simple glucose and salts, not artificial sweeteners.
Again, the vet clinic may stock something appropriate or you may find something suitable in a drug store. 

Is he eating any hay at all?

I think a lot of member can sympathise with you about financial constraints you’re currently under. I’m only aware of CareCredit which can be useful in times like these. Perhaps other members know of other options. If you do end up at the vet, it might be enough to help until you can build some emergency & vet funds again.

{{{Muffin}}} I hope you’re able to turn things around for him. Being a dwarf, I’d be suspicious that teeth might be a reason for seeing this with him. Something to keep in mind when you are able to get him seen by a vet. I know some members here that need regular dental trims, have to soften food for them or supplement diet with Critical Care when they’re getting trouble again. 

[Bam]

What you’ve been doing so far is good of course. Could you pick some fresh grass outside in a pesticide-free place? Then start by feeding just a little bit and increase the amount as you go along. Rinse well and serve wet. Fresh grass has good roughage and is often more appetizing than hay. If you could get some pesticide free apple twigs and/or willow, that’d be really good too, buns like to gnaw off the bark and it has good fiber.

Roughage and water are key. He needs to eat hay, grass and other fibrous stuff. It doesn’t have to be timothy, other grassy hays are just as great, sometimes bunnies prefer one type over another. You can give baby gas drops (simethicone) if you suspect gas, it’s bunny safe and might have a lubricating effect in the GI tract, i e make the intestines more “slippery” on the inside so food passes along more smoothly. I’ve no hard scientific evidence to prove it, just anecdotal from myself and other bunny owners. Baby gas drops can be bought at Walmart or such places, as well as in pharmacies of course. They’re not super-expensive and you only use a little.

I doubt there’s a blockage, you’d have seen more severe illness if there were, but there is sth that’s not quite right and it’s very wise to try and counteract it before it becomes an emergency. Physical exercise is great for making the intestines move and propel their contents along their length (same with people, people that sit around a lot get constipated). Be very, very gentle when you massage his tummy.

If he’s shedding a little bit but not so much that you can get it with a brush you can try and lint-roll him. Use a generic brand, the name-brands can have too sticky glue because they’re “better” quality, but that’s not better if you use it to lint-roll a bunny. I lint-roll mine, they hate that way less than they hate getting brushed.

We’ll be very happy for updates.

[Bunnisox]

I live in an apartment complex, so I’m not sure where I would find any pesticide-free grass around here as I know they spray the grass. Would wheat grass serve the same purpose? I buy that on a bi-weekly basis for their daily greens, and I could probably buy more of it so he’s getting it every day, if it would help.

I’ve tried giving him (and my other buns) pineapple before, and they’ve always turned their noses up at it. But it certainly wouldn’t hurt to try again, and again. I’ll pick some up when I head to the store this weekend (along with a lint roller!). I also have to re-stock their hay this weekend, so I’ll look for other types – maybe orchard grass?

What about something like this? Would it be beneficial?
https://store.binkybunny.com/natural-science-digestive-support-oxbow-p175.aspx

Yes, @jerseygirl, he is eating hay on his own. I’ve been “force feeding” him hay the past few days just to make sure he’s eating as much as he can, haha. It’s actually somewhat comical, as I’ll grab a piece of hay and put it up to his mouth. He looks irritated at me, every time. Tries to nose it away from himself over and over, but I’ll keep doing it until he eats it – which he does each time.. eventually.

As for physical exercise, I ensure to let him out of his condo every morning with his sister for a few hours (2-3 hours a day on weekdays) before I go to work. The bigger bunny (Mika) gets her daily run time in the evening. They don’t get along.. so we have to seperate their run times! But on weekends he gets at least 7-9 hours of running around the house time. He’s been running and binkying like normal; and he and Waffuls always play chase with each other. It’s definitely a relief for me to see these things on a daily basis.

Thank you guys so much for helping me and Muffins. I sincerely appreciate it; and I’ll be sure to keep everyone posted. <3

 

 

[Bam]

What a beautiful boy! So chocolate-y!

I agree you can’t trust city grass. Bunnies can very well eat wheat grass. I find conflicting info as to its content of fiber. It has plenty of other good stuff though, like chlorophyll and vitamin E and C, so it is healthy. As for hay, orchard is great, oat hay is often appreciated too. Start with a little bit, then increase (as with all new greens, basically).

It’s great that you hand-feed him hay until he eats it! It is a time-consuming procedure though, so it would be a lot more practical if he’d eat hay willingly. Some buns won’t eat hay because of dental issues as Jersey mentions, but with some buns it’s a matter of finding the right hay. The main reason for tummy problems in a bunny is too little hay in the diet. The digestive aid from Oxbow is based on timothy hay, but it’s a supplement and can’t replace hay-eating.

Pineapple has traditionally been used as a digestive aid, but its usefulness for bunnies has been disputed in later years. I have given pineapple when my buns have been unwell and refused food. The glucose in the pineapple can perk a poorly bunny up and it has fiber and perhaps the enzymes do help some with digestion, so it’s good for emergencies imo. It needs to be fresh pineapple though, canned pinapple have no active enzymes, they don’t “survive” the canning-process.
There are digestive aid tablets with papaya and pineapple for both humans and bunnies, some vets recommend them, other vets regards them as just healthy treats.

[Bunnisox]

@jerseygirl – In regard to your suggestion about the Critical Care. I notice that it’s available here on Binky Bunny. I was curious, if I were to try it, are there any negative reprecussions from using it? Should I use it less than what’s recommended, as he’s still eating his greens and pellets pretty normally? (I know you’re not a vet, but it seems like you’ve had experience with it before. I’ve never used it and the only time I’ve ever heard of it being used was with malnurished rabbits who aren’t eating. Just looking for your input on that.)

Thank you! <3

[Bam]

I’m not Jersey, but I have experience with feeding CC to bunnies. If your bunny is still eating on his own, you don’t need to give the full dose of CC, that’s for buns that eat nothing but CC. There aren’t any negative side-effects to CC. It’s what vets recommend for poorly buns, buns recovering from an illness or buns that won’t eat enough. I had to feed one of my buns CC for a month once, twice a day, because he would only eat certain things and only little. (Turned out it was a dental problem behind it.) He stayed in excellent health and didn’t loose weight, and that was thanks to the CC. I gave him about a tablespoon (15 ml) of CC incl. water morning and night, some days in the afternoon too. Your boy is so small he probably doesn’t need as much, but it depends on how much he eats of other stuff.

[jerseygirl]

Gosh, he’s gorgeous!!

I’m glad you answered about the CC bam! You have more recent experience with CC then I have. The last time I used it was in a dish after a rabbit had molar trims. I know other members here have done that before and after dental work sometimes.
I know you can give it at various stages of recovery. Oxbow even suggest sprinkling it on normal food. I’m not really aware of adverse effects if giving it as a supplement to existing diet. I would just keep hydration up if feeding it, I guess.

I wasn’t aware BB store had it. That’s great!
It’s also supposed to be an appetite stimulant, which would be good if Muffins starts to go off the current foods. It’s great he is still wanting to eat. Are you able to monitor how much he is eating and drinking? Can be tricky when there’s three! With greens and pellets and bit of hay, he’s getting his fibre. His poos look very dehydrated though.

[Bunnisox]

Thank you bam! I really do appreciate all the help and advice.
I checked Muffins poops this morning and some of them look MUCH better! A lot of them are still a little on the small side, (but not all of them!) and they’re nowhere near as mis-shapen as the ones in the picture from the beginning of the week. I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing + some of the suggestions you all have provided. I was able to buy a few small bags of orchard hay and “botanical” timothy hay for him last night. I’ve also just ordered some Critical Care just in case, to keep on hand if it gets worse; along with those Oxbow digestive supplements – I think I’l just try to crush em up a bit and put it with his pellets. I’ll be going to the grocery store later today, and I’ll get some pineapple and wheat grass.

I don’t think it’s his teeth, to be honest (and I could very well be wrong), but he still seems to enjoy eating his pellets and chewing on his toys/boxes.

Maybe he has just been bored with timothy hay, and switching it up could just easily solve the problem..? Man, I hope so.

Again, I can’t tell you guys how much it means to me that you’re trying to help us. Thank you, again! I’ll let you all know how things go.

[jerseygirl]

I’ve also just ordered some Critical Care just in case, to keep on hand if it gets worse; along with those Oxbow digestive supplements – I think I’l just try to crush em up a bit and put it with his pellets.

Good stuff to keep on hand, definitely!
I hope he takes to the new hays.

he still seems to enjoy eating his pellets and chewing on his toys/boxes.

Does he end up eating much of the cardboard he chews off?

[Bam]

It’s absolutely not certain that he has a dental issue, these things are most commonly about improper amount of dietary fiber. If you change the diet but fail to see any improvement, then checking out the teeth is a good place to start. It’s common that buns get dental issues. I’m glad to hear his poop is looking better already! That is just so great.

(About my bunny, it wasn’t like your bun’s story: He refused to eat but seemed hungry, he dropped food after biting into it etc. He had so small molar spurs that my vet didn’t think they could be the problem. After 3 weeks she decided to try a molar burr after all, and 5 days later, my bun was eating like a little goat again.)

[Bunnisox]

After letting him run for a few hours this morning, I noticed his poops are back to being super small, again. Such a kill-joy as some of them were a bit bigger yesterday; I had gotten my hopes up too soon, I guess.

@jerseygirl, Yes, he does eat some of the cardboard when he chews the boxes, but I thought this was normal, as all 3 of my rabbits do it. I couldn’t rightly tell you how much of it he’s ingesting though. Do you think this may be contributing to the issue? I could take away his cardboard boxes/tubes?

I was actually able to get him to eat a few pieces of pineapple (1 last night, and 1 this morning)! Each piece was roughly the size of half my thumb. I was curious, though. as I know pineapple has quite a bit of sugar in it, how much is too much.. I’m thrilled that he’s actually eating it, but I don’t want to give him too much and cause more damage than good.

I’m still doing my best to get him to eat more roughage. I’ve put all 3 types of hay in his bunny condo, and in all of the random hay boxes around the house. I don’t really think he’s eating more of it than usual – but he’s definitely eating it. I’ve caught him in one of the hay boxes a few times in the livingroom earlier today.

[Bunnisox]

 Just a quick update! The past few days Muffin’s poops were looking okay, they weren’t “normal” size, but they weren’t super small, and they looked loaded with hay. This morning, he was pooping BIG BEAUTIFUL BUNNY POOPS! The same size as the others! I never thought I’d be so happy and excited over poop, lol. I’ve included a picture below of his poops from 4 days ago, and the ones from today, for comparison.

Thank you all for the help and kind words of advice! Muffins sends his appreciation, as well. <3

 

[jerseygirl]

Pic design by RabbitPam 2011

They look good! Well done Muffin!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Yay!!!! It’s quite bizarre how excited us bunny peeps can get over a beautiful batch of normal poop after a bunny’s been poorly.

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