Urgent, my bunnies get big stomach

Question
Dear Dana

Hi this is elisabet, one of my bunny get diarrhea. And around my town there are no vet. i read the cure from the internet to stop the diarrhea, it includes 1 cup clean water, 2tsp sugar, 1/4tsp baking soda, 1/8tsp salt. It stops the diarrhea. and i keep giving him that every an hour. and i also giving him banana baby food. At first he wants to drink and eat, after several time, he started refuse. and now his stomach getting bigger, and he getting weaker. I don't know what to do. i already stopped giving the ORT and the baby food. Am i doing something wrong? i don't want to lose him. and i'm afradid he can't survive. Please help me Dana.

Thank you

Answer
Dear Elisabet,

Baby rabbits are very susceptible to diarrhea, and the cause is usuall foreign bacteria (often E. coli from human handling).  The remedy you describe from the internet really is not going to help, and may make things worse.  Once a baby has this type of problem, you MUST get him to a vet, even if the vet is not a rabbit expert, for supportive care such as subcutaneous fluids.

To stop diarrhea in order to "buy time" we have used imodium, a human anti-diarrhea medication.  But you must give only a very *tiny* amount:  approximately 1mg/kg.  This will stop the diarrhea, but you must also do supportive care and medication, as described in the emergency protocol here:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/squirts.pdf

If you take that sheet to any vet, s/he might be willing to try, rather than let the baby die.

It is very important to completely disinfect your hands whenever you handle a baby bunny, and not wean them younger than 8 weeks, to avoid this problem.  I am sorry the baby is sick, and hope you were able to save him.

Dana