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Mushy stool

22 10:34:59

Question
I got a mini rex bunny about two months ago, and he has had an on and off problem of mushy stool. At first I thought it was the pellets I was feeding him, so I switched to plain ones and feed them along with hay, romaine lettuce and carrots. Lately I have noticed something very strange, at night he has a clear-ish goo that he secretes from his bum along with the soft stool. I haven't heard this as a symptom before and am very worried.

He acts completely fine-- he's eating, playing, drinking and hopping around. I'm trying to find a bunny vet in my area ASAP.

Thank you,
Sarah

Answer
Dear Sarah,

This will explain the most common possible causes and treatments of the mushy stool (cecal dysbiosis):

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

The most common causes are incorrect diet:

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

and pain/stress from dental problems, such as molar spurs:

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

although other health problems also can elicit this common malady.  The clear gel is mucus, indicating inflammation of the intestinal lining (enteritis), and if he's at this stage, he does need veterinary attention ASAP.  You should be able to find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

If bun stops eating or starts acting poorly, please read:

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

and especially:

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

I hope this helps.

Dana