off and on soft stools

Question
Hi Dana.
I have a 3 year old spayed Florida white rabbit, who has had occasional soft stools for the last couple of years. There have been months where she has been fine. Recently it's  almost once a day, usually in the morning before she is given her morning "salad" and 1/8c Timothy hay pellets. I have been to two different vets, had her stools and teeth checked by the second vet when the first refused saying that rabbit stools can resemble cat poop and it's normal. The second vet had her stools tested and checked her teeth, all was fine. I'm currently getting mixed advice from various people on Etherbun and  the HRS. One says take away her pellets and the other her greens. She doesn't drink water very much so that would be a big concern for me. Her current diet is 3 small "salads" daily which consists of dandelion greens, assorted lettuces and usually an herb, ie. {mint, basil or parsley}. She also gets a blueberry cut in half twice a day. The only other treats she gets is if I need to give her a bum bath,  a raisin and a craisin, just so the bath has some reward. Though that's never more than once a week. Since she has lost weight on the reduced pellets she is usually able to clean herself. She has unlimited hay all over the house so that it is available where ever she is playing or resting. She has never been a great hay eater until recently. I found one that she absolutely loves but I'm not sure if it's as good for her as Timothy hay. {Oat, Barley and Wheat hay.} I hope I haven't forgotten anything, she is very healthy, happy bunny. Loves to binky out in the snow and follow me around the backyard.
Thank you so much for any advice you can provide.
Sincerely, Anita.  

Answer
Dear Anita,

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