cecotrope

Question
About two days ago, I had found a lot of diarrhea-like substance in my rabbits cage. I then stopped and thought about his diet and what I had done differently, and I had realized that I had bought a new pellet mixhich I know is not good to feed him but he doesn't seem to want to eat anything else) I then quickly took him off of the new pellet mix and then went to work. I called the vet and said it was an emergency and set up an appointment. After I had returned from work, I noticed that his pellets were normal again. I then canceled my appointment with the vet thinking everything was okay. Yet again, in the morning, I saw the diarrhea-like substance again but when I come home from work in the evening, his pellets would be normal.
He is still eating and drinking his water almost like nothing is wrong. I have read that he could have something called cecal dybiosis.
Currently, I had taken him off of his pellets altogether and I have him on Oxbow Critical Care powder mix (Only to boost up his fiber intake) and I have him on a strict hay diet.
Is there anything to be worried about in my situation, or am I doing the right thing and to continue what I am doing until everything is back to normal?

Answer
Dear Ginger,

What you describe is typical of cecal dysbiosis.  Please read:

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

Note that the most common causes are incorrect diet items:

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

(It might not just be the pellets), as well as pain/stress from dental problems, such as molar spurs:

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

In any case, an experienced rabbit vet should give him a complete wellness exam to see what's causing the cecal dysbiosis, which is a symptom, not a disease.  You can find a rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Hope this helps.

Dana