Rabbit has diarrhea

Question
Hi,
My rabbit seems to be having diarrhea of late and I have to keep cleaning clumps of poop off his butt everyday. His diet is mainly wild harvest pellets, timothy hay, parsley and carrots. He loves gummy bears too. But off late this condition seems to be getting a bit too much. He seems alert, hops around and looks fine. He is around 10 lbs in weight. I have noticed that he avoids eating hay and I do not see him drinking water too. However, he eats pellets, carrots and greens. What can I do to help treat this condition? your advise is appreciated. Thanks

Answer
Hi Aruna

Your rabbit probably doesn't have diarrhea.  Instead he is not properly eating his cecotropes.  Little grape like clusters are cecotropes.  You generally don't see them because the rabbit eats them right from their anus.  It is very important that they eat them because they are full of nutrients.

You really need to stop giving your rabbit gummy bears.  To much sugar and starch can cause them to become sick.  You also may want to consider going to regular pellets with 16 percent crude protein.  The wild harvest feed has seeds and nuts amongst other thing.  This stuff is not really good for rabbits.  The people that manufacture it don't really care about the rabbits health.  They fool people into believing it is good for them by putting pictures of happy bunnies on the label.

The best diet is pellets and greens, with an occasional treat, such as a piece of apple without the seeds.

For a list of how to properly feed your bunny please visit these web-sites. They are written by Ms. Dana Krempels, Ph.D. and have excellent information including cecotropes and why they are important.

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/poop.html
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/diet.html

If your rabbit does not show noticeable improvement or has loose diarrhea, acts lethargic, refuses to eat, or just isn't acting right please take him to an emergency animal vet or clinic right away (one that treats exotic animals).  He will still need a general health check-up to make sure his condition isn't caused by a more serious under lying condition.

Good luck and please let me know if you need anymore help.

Pam