Caecal Diarrhea

Question
Hi Dr. Krempels,

We have emailed you a few times in the past - does a gray Rex named Phoebe in NYC ring a bell?  She is 2 1/2 years old now, and a happy bunny.

Here's the health question, though:
Phoebe has been experiencing softened caecal droppings (the ones she eats) for the past few days.  Sometimes they are extremely soft (softer than usual), and she eats them, and one other time, it looked like a pile of hot fudge.  Regardless of its consistency, she tries to eat or lap up as much as possible, then eventually lies down in it and smears it on her 'comfort shelf' and, unfortunately, in her fur.  Her other droppings look to be of normal consistency and amount.  She does not seem lethargic, and has had a normal appetite, including munching on hay throughout the day.

The only unusual activity other than the soft droppings is that she has been lying under her comfort shelf on the floor of her cage.  I can think of three reasons for her hiding, other than illness:  1. i recently went away for 5 days, during which time my boyfriend was her caretaker, and the stress from this change may have caused a bowel change (he lives here, but I normally do most of the feeding, etc.).  2. the windows are now open to let in Spring weather, which also lets in scary, urban Brooklyn sounds.  3. Our landlord was recently staining wood trim in our apartment, and the commotion and smells may have gotten to her.

Can you identify what her problem is?  Should I change her diet to regulate the droppings?  I am afraid if I change her diet, I will constipate her, or change the normal droppings.  But I am also afraid that if I disregard this diarrhea, I may be ignoring a health problem.  For your further info, her daily diet presently consists of 1/4 cup Bunny Basics alfalfa pellets, 2-3 pieces carrot, 2-3 pieces broccoli, 3-4 leaves romaine lettuce (or other dark green, leafy lettuce), occasional carrot tops and watercress.

Thanks in advance,
Katie

Answer
Dear Katie,

Glad to hear Phoebe is (mostly) well.  I think you'll find the answers to most of your questions here:

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

and here:

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

Pay special attention to the links on diet and especially dental problems:

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

Molar spurs are a very common cause of the stress that can result in cecal dysbiosis, which is what the runny cecotropes signify.

Hope this helps!  Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana