5 week old bunny

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

About 3 weeks ago I bought two rabbits and a week ago one of them passed
away, so yesterday we went and picked out another one. He is a 5 week old
mini rex and I am a little concerned after I've been reading about how this is
way too young to be taken away from the mother. Everything seems to be
okay for now. He is drinking water and eating timothy hay and pellets. Is there
anything else we should be doing to maintain his health? We have been
monitoring the feces and everything seems normal. Please give me any
suggestions you can!

Thank you!

ANSWER: Dear Leah,

You are wise to monitor his poops, as this can be the first sign of trouble.  Be *very* vigilant for any sign of lethargy or inappetence, as these can appear before any more obvious signs, such as diarrhea.

Please see:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sickbun.html

and

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

and find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

just in case you need one.  

I hope your baby will be fine and you will have much joy together.

Take care,

Dana

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

QUESTION: He has definitely been eating..a lot actually! And hasn't been abnormally tired
and sluggish, so that's good. There have been a few smooshy poops, but
nothing runny or watery. We also noticed some white urine. Does that have
something to do with excess calcium? I read that somewhere. I think we may
take him to a vet this weekend just to have a check-up, but a second opinion
would be nice. Thanks for your help.


Leah

ANSWER: Dear Leah,

Yes, white chalky residue is not uncommon, as rabbits excrete excess calcium in the urine.

Hope your baby continues to do well! To avoid the mushy poop problem, please see:

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

It's important to start bunny off with a healthy diet so he won't have a chronic mushy poop problem.  That can lead to more serious issues.

Dana

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

QUESTION: Should I be limiting the amount of pellets he eats so he learns that hay is more important? I know I've read that babies should be given unlimited pellets but I wasn't sure if overeating pellets might explain why there have been a few softer poops?

Thank you.

Answer
Dear Leah,

Any change in diet or life (e.g., coming to a new home) can mean a change in intestinal flora that might manifest as slightly mushy poop for a day or two.  But if this persists, you might want to see a good rabbit vet, just to be safe:

www.rabbit.org/vets

I've never seen a baby get mushy poop from pellets once s/he has adjusted to that food.

Dana