Poop Info

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I need help. I have a 6-months-old bunny and he hasn't been pooping much recently. He poops every 10-12 h. I am not able to contact a rabbit-trained vet, there are none anywhere around me. I've been giving him loads of leafy greens thoroughly washed and giving him some pineapple juice, and some apples. He eats the same, acts the same. I've also been giving him tummy massages to check for any gas bubbles. Also, he eats loads of hay and I've been taking care of not giving him much sugar.
I don't know what else to do.
I am afraid he is sick. He usually sleep all day so I'm not even sure if he's in pain or just sleeping.
Also, I've seen him eating his poop a lot, don't know if it's vitamin poop or regular. Can they poop vitamin poop only, or is it a good sign that he's eating his poop?

Please, contact me. I have no where else to go.
Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi Tea

Sorry to hear of your bunny troubles.

My first recommendation is to cut out all fresh veg and treats - excess amounts of these can actually be the cause of gut upsets, especially if you're seeing more "vitamin" cecal poops. Put his diet back to hay, water, and a handful of pellets if he's having those.

Resting during the day is normal, especially if its warm. Rabbits are most active at dawn, dusk and during the night. They should still perk up if you go over to them and offer them food or a nose rub though.

What kind of poops have you been seeing? A nice healthy regular poop should be golden, dry, of good size, round not oval and crumbles if you smoosh it. My pair do the majority of these after they've eaten and during the night, preferring to nap and nibble throughout the day.

A rabbit in gut stasis will turn down food entirely, look hunched or lie down awkwardly, unresponsive and may loudly grind their teeth.

I would make some extra effort to see if there are any vets near you who can check your bun over. If he does go into full stasis he will need prescription medication (namely gut stimulant and painkillers and possibly specialist syringe food i.e. Critical Care). Even if they're a fair old drive away, having access to one is necessary for bunny ownership! Us people on the internet can only do so much to help your bun. I'm almost on first name terms with my vet due to both of mine having delicate tummies.

Anyway, monitor him closely, cut out veg/fruit/treats, back to hay, water and pellets only for a few days. If he does start to show signs of being in distress or pain you will have no real choice but to seek out a vet.

Hope I helped!
Cat



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I did cut on the veggies, though I gave him a carrot last night, well half a carrot. I assumed first it were the cucumbers, since I gave him those for the first time right before the troubles occurred. He is now on hay and water (which he takes rarely, but I do wash those leafy greens I give him, mostly for extra water)
I called a vet to make an appointment and he actually told me to give him chamomile tea mixed with a tea spoon of mineral oil. I fed it to him with a syringe, which was pretty hard, but he pooped right after. However, he pooped same time yesterday and then did not later on, so I am not still  quite relaxed.
As for the poop, well, it's very round but also moist and pretty dark. Not like the poop he used to produce. I'll wait some more and see if he gets better by Monday, if not, I'll sure take him to a proper vet.

Thank you for your time.
I appreciate it!

Answer
Aww poor bun! It is always tricky to diagnose gut problems exactly. I hope he felt better by Monday but even if he did I would still recommend a vet visit just to be sure!

The poop sounds healthier than usual gut stasis poop - which tend to be very very tiny and hard.

Hope he's feeling better now!
Cat