rabbit jelly poop

Question
Hi there, i habe a 9 week old dwarf lop, such a sweet heart, had it for 5 days, all was fine, settled in great (house bunny), breeder told me to feed junior pellets and gave me some of her rabbit mix that he had been on, all poos were fine.  she had been giving the babies a little grass and cauli greens so i continued with this.
last nite Rocco did a poop with mucus in it, next morining another one was there but a bit splatery, all very out of the blue, although stll eating and drinking.  as only 9 weeks called the vet to advise, they wanted to see him right away and he is there now over nite for observation, they have diagnosed coccidiosis, have you ever heard of this or can give advise on how he got it, the vet said it was nothing i have done, it was contacted from mother/hutch befoe i got him.  feel so helpless and they dont know wether he will pull through, very sad only had rocco for a week, please advise, thanks

Answer
Dear Melanie,

Coccidiosis is the disease caused by an intestinal parasite known as Eimeria (of which there are many species, each specific to a particular host).  It is treatable, but if a young baby starts to show symptoms of diarrhea from it, it is absolutely *vital* that the baby be given subcutaenous fluid therapy and other supportive care while the medications to kill the parasite take effect.  Please see:

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

for more causes of runny stool in rabbits.  If the vets did not diagnose the problem with a fecal flotation examination, then they might just be guessing.  Coccidiosis isn't an unreasonable diagnosis, because that's what most often causes diarrhea in puppies and kittens.  But in rabbits there are several other possible causes, and they are NOT treated the same way coccidiosis is treated.

The article above will explain this.  Please ask the vets whether your bunny was diagnosed via fecal flotation, or whether they are assuming it's coccidiosis.

If you feel these vets are good with dogs and cats, but perhaps not well-versed in rabbit medicine (which is a WHOLE different ballgame..), please go here to find a good rabbit vet to help you:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Also, there are new, though very expensive, drugs now available to treat coccidia very quickly.  Ponazuril is fantastic, if you can get it.  Please ask your vet.

I hope this helps, and that Rocco will be home with you soon.

Dana