Rabbits and ECE

Question
Hi,

  About one month ago I got my little love bunny, Chloe, from
the humane society. At the time, they told me she had been
treated for a stomach bacterium that was giving her diarrhea.
She was fine when I got her home but then she had diarrhea on
and off and she was letting out this clearish brown green jelly. I
don't know from where. Anyway, I was wondering what that is. I
know ferrets get this thing called Green slime disease, but I
couldn't find anything about rabbits.

Thanks,

Nadine


Answer
Dear Nadine,

Rabbits don't get "Green Slime Disease," but they can get enteritis, and the symptoms you describe are consistent with that.  Enteritis isn't a disease in and of itself; it is inflammation of the intestinal lining caused by some specific problem.  You can read more about this here:

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

and find a good rabbit vet who can help with the diagnosis and treatment here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

It is extremely unlikely that the "diarrhea" was caused by a "stomach bacterium," as the Humane Society people suggested.  Bacteria can't survive in the stomach (which is highly acidic).  It is more likely that the problem is in the cecum and/or small intestine, and the article above will explain that.  In any case, a trip to a good rabbit vet is in order, ASAP.

I hope this helps!

Dana