Unusual Rabbit Poop: Identifying Common Issues & Soluti
Common Causes of Abnormal Rabbit Feces
1. Indigestion Leading to Abnormal Feces in Rabbits
Causes: Rabbits may experience indigestion due to overeating, which their digestive systems cannot handle, leading to indigestion.
Identifying Signs: Look for a decrease in appetite, feces of varying sizes and irregular shapes, often appearing as long strips.
Treatment Suggestions:
Allow the rabbit to fast for 12 to 24 hours, providing only water. During this time, administer half a tablet of Metoclopramide to empty the rabbit's gastrointestinal contents.
Feed the rabbit Jiangzhong Gaopan Xiaoshi tablets twice a day, two tablets each time, for 2 to 3 days to improve digestion.
Additionally, feed the rabbit four tablets of Lactase tablets twice a day, for 2 to 3 days to enhance beneficial gut flora.
2. Excessive Protein and Carbohydrate Intake Leading to Abnormal Feces
Causes: Abnormal feces due to an excess of protein and carbohydrates, often termed "nutritional diarrhea," is commonly caused by overfeeding on rabbit food or alfalfa hay.
Identifying Signs: Look for granular or stringy feces with a shiny surface and a strong, fishy odor. This is often observed in the evening and normalizes during the day.
Treatment Suggestions:
Reduce the amount of alfalfa hay and rabbit food, and increase the intake of grasses like oats, ryegrass, or timothy hay.
Feeding the rabbit 3% to 5% of its body weight in rabbit food and one handful of alfalfa hay twice a day is recommended.
Administer petspecific probiotics or lactobacillus to regulate gut flora for 5 days.
3. Indigestion and Mild Intestinal Fermentation Leading to Abnormal Feces
Causes: Excessive grain consumption or a rapid intake of highstarch foods can lead to this condition.
Identifying Signs: Feces appear mushy or stringy without mucus or jellylike substances.
Treatment Suggestions:
Allow the rabbit to fast for 24 hours, providing only water.
Feed Lactobacillus tablets twice a day, two tablets each time, for 2 to 3 days.
Alternatively, feed four tablets of Lactase tablets twice a day for 2 to 3 days.
4. Colibacillosis Leading to Abnormal Feces
Causes: Common in rabbits under 6 months old, often due to improper diet or sudden weather changes, causing stress.
Identifying Signs: Feces are not formed, and there may be mucus or jellylike substances on the surface.
Treatment Suggestions:
Allow the rabbit to fast for 24 hours, providing only water.
Administer Norfloxacin capsules twice a day, twothirds of a capsule each time, for 3 days.
Feed four tablets of Lactase tablets three hours after each Norfloxacin dose, for 3 days.
Provide one vitamin C tablet daily for 3 days.
If injections are possible, consider Enrofloxacin or Gentamicin injections, following the dosage instructions on the label.
Ensure the rabbit is kept warm, perhaps lying on an electric heating pad.
Warning from Oxygen Pet Doctor:
If the rabbit has watery feces with a particularly strong, fishy odor, it may be suffering from Welsbach's disease. This condition is difficult to treat, and immediate fluid replacement is necessary if the rabbit is infected.
