rabbit has intermittent runs; tried several medications already as directed by vet

Question
Hi, Dr. Krempels,
 I have an 8-year old, female rabbit who has been having problems with intermittent runs for several months now.  We are under vet care, but the bouts are getting progressively worse and we are frustrated (vet included).  Any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated.  I fear that my rabbit will have to be put down because the runs are getting painful and she is not recovering between the bouts.
 The runs first appeared as a brown liquid, only in the mornings and only for a few days in a row.  Then, the rabbit was perfectly fine for a few days, and then the runs started up again for another few days (cyclic), and so on.  Once the runs are over each morning, normal poops return for the rest of the day.
  We put her on a probiotic and she was great for a few weeks.  Then, she started to get runs, but different in consistency (soft, black, wet poops; also liquid brown runs).  Again, these runs only appear in the morning, and once the bout is over, normal poops return.  The bouts last for 4-5 days at a time, and then she is OK for 4-5 days.  It is very cyclic.  She also gets gas and pain sometimes with the runs.
  Things we have tried include probiotics, cisapride, sulcrate, metronidazole, meloxicam (for pain), and simethicone (for gas).
  Last year, she had runs also and when I stopped feeding her pellets, she returned to normal.  I now feed only greens and timothy hay, no fruit, pellets, or treats.  Her intestines are very sensitive to sugar and starch.
  Thanks for your help!
-Melanie

Answer
Dear Melanie,

Your bunny appears to be suffering from chronic cecal dysbiosis, which is fully explained here:

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

The problem isn't that he can't digest his greens, but it could have something to do with his diet, if he's getting the wrong type of food.  Please check that here:

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

The second most common cause of this problem is probably pain/stress from dental disorders, such s molar spurs.  Please read:

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

You will need an experienced rabbit vet to help you, and you can find one via the Vet Referral Listings linked here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

In the meantime, you can safely clean bunny and keep him comfortable with the techniques described here:

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

I hope this helps you get to the bottom of the problem and get it under control.


Dana