Loose droppings

Question
Hi,
My female rabbit is being spayed at the moment at the vet's. She's a one-year-old lionhead rabbit. She had loose droppings this morning and has had the problem for a couple of weeks on and off - since her companion guinea pig died. I know loose stools can be a result of too much fresh food, but I've cut down her fresh food lately and she hasn't been out eating grass this year yet (grass is still too damp). The vet recommended Supa Rabbit Food (she has been on it) to dry her up. What do you recommend? I hate the smell of her loose bum and cleaning it all the time. Is it just stress? We went on a holiday and she stayed with Grandma last week. Some books say rabbit food has too much carbohydrates and in excess causes diarrhea. What do you think? Do you think spaying will reduce her mad digging of huge burrows in the garden? I don't mind otherwise, but my tortoises get trapped in the holes... Another question: She doesn't chew apple tree branches etc. but prefers the skirting boards in the study. Any ideas how to keep her chewing proper things (what could it be?) and keep her teeth good?  Thank you for any advice! London, UK

Answer
Dear Tanja,

The loss of her companion guinea pig could certainly be contributing to her loose stool.  Loose stool is caused by cecal dysbiosis, an imbalance of the normal, healthy flora in the cecum.  You can read more about this, its causes and treatments here:

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

Diet too rich in starches and too low in crude fiber is another common cause of runny poop.  But a *very* common (and rarely detected, unless your vet is a real expert with rabbits) is detnal problems.  I believe lionheads have rather short faces, so this is a distinct possibility with your bunny.  Please read:

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

The spay will help calm her, but even my spayed girls enjoy digging in the garden sometimes.  Your bunny is very lucky to have the opportunity to do this!  It will keep her healthy both psychologically and physically!  :)

It's hard to deter a bunny who has a preference for a particular place to chew, but I have noticed that they prefer things that are solid and non-moving (such as baseboards!)  If you can somehow tack a few (clean, untreated) pieces of pine or even apple branches to those problem areas, I'll bet she will chew those instead of the baseboards. They just love to chew on something that doesn't scoot away.

Once your gal is spayed and healed, you can contact the Rabbit Welfare Association in the UK.  They can help you set up a "blind date" for your girl to let her choose the (neutered) male bunny companion of her dreams.  There's nothing as adorable as two bunnies cuddling together!  

I hope this helps.  Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana