Because he’s active and alert, the caregiver often assumes the rabbit’s health is okay. In my experience, the vast majority  patients with ISS have been fed a diet composed primarily of commercial pellets with little or no grass hay. Thus, poor diet plays a major role in the disease. As a result, the thin-walled cecum – the largest organ in a rabbit’s abdomen – serves as a fermentation chamber, enhancing nutrient retrieval. During a physical examination, many rabbits with ISS are significantly overweight with obvious fecal staining of the hindquarters or feet. A rabbit who has any signs of cecal motility disorder should be checked by a veterinarian experienced with rabbits to make sure there is no underlying disease. If a rabbit is not treated early, the caregiver will suddenly notice changes in the rabbit’s behavior and responsiveness. If the rabbit does survive the surgery, there is a chance the cecum may not return to normal function. It is an injectable that can be given orally if mixed with something palatable. Provide the grass hay in unlimited amounts and have it available at all times to your pet. A rabbit with enterotoxemia may exhibit signs of: Signs such as diarrhea, hypothermia, and shock are very serious. The hay acts to return normal motility to the GI tract and normal flora to the cecum eliminating the soft stools entirely. Cow pile syndrome, named for its most visible characteristic, may result from a combination of factors, including genetic, environmental, and dietary. However, extreme caution is necessary so as not to damage or rupture the cecum. Try pulverizing the pellets your are feeding in a blender or food processor, sprinkling some hay with some water and then dusting the pellets over the top to entice your bunny to try the hay. That means that subcutaneous fluids are not absorbed quickly enough to do much good. Cranberries Prokinetics (motility drugs) may be considered, though scientific trials are lacking; opinions on which drugs are most effective vary. He is a partner at the Broomfield Veterinary Hospital in Broomfield, Colorado, where sixty percent of his patients are rabbits, including many from the Colorado House Rabbit Society. Vitamin C should also be discontinued once the cecotropes return to normal. However, problems are most often caused by previous damage from chronic inappropriate diet and lack of exercise. It must be noted that although the disease can cause rapid decline, when enterotoxemia is caused by inappropriate antibiotics, whether administered as a single dose or more long-term, a rabbit may not succumb until many days after the administration of the medication. The rabbit is unable to eat them, and they may end up on the floor or pasted to the rabbit’s rear end. This article covers the following topics: How the cecum functions in a healthy rabbit, including indigestible fiber, digestible fiber, and cecotropes. Kale *Please note that it will be helpful to the understanding of this disease if you first read the Care of Rabbits handout in order to understand the normal diet of the house rabbit. The remaining material is turned into cecotropes: small packets of tiny-bodied, nutrient-rich flora. The indigestible fiber stimulates the movement and mixing of the intestinal contents; therefore, fiber must be ingested regularly to keep the digestive system working as it should. Rapid fermentation in the cecum upsets the pH, creating an environment more hospitable to dangerous bacteria. As already noted, diet plays a critical role in the proper functioning of the cecum, and veterinary guidelines can help return a rabbit to health. Good quality hay should be fed in long-fiber form (i.e., not cubed or chopped up) whenever possible. The soft droppings stick to the rabbit’s hindquarters, causing irritation and a foul odor. However, if the rabbit is not eating hay or not eating it in the quantity needed, then a gradual reduction in the quantity of processed pellets is necessary to prevent hepatic lipidosis. The technically difficult procedure on a critically ill patient equals a poor success rate. Below we will take a closer look at each one of them. Put the hay in the litter box – this is often the favorite place to eat hay! Behaviors signaling pain (see below), Critically ill: depressed, lethargic. She is coauthor of Self-Assessment Color Review of Small Mammals and author of numerous lay and professional writings on rabbit medicine and care; she has also lectured extensively in the United States and Europe. Susan Brown, DVM is the founder and former owner of Midwest Bird and Exotic Animal Hospital (originally in Westchester, Illinois) and the current owner of Rosehaven Exotic Animal Veterinary Services and The Behavior Connection (North Aurora, Illinois). Susan Brown, Tomáš Chlebeček, Bill Guerrera, Angela Lennox, and Scott Stahl for sharing their expertise in this article and additionally to Dr. Brown for her overall review of the article. Water cress. A rabbit exhibiting signs listed above needs emergency treatment; it is likely he will require hospitalization. I become very concerned when a rabbit is not responding to treatment and starts to have diarrhea, lethargy, and weight loss. Some folk believe in an egg cup of pellets but Im afraid i dont.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRUtPKhCg8s Rabbits will overproduce cecotropes when they have too much sugar in their diet. Mucoid enteropathy: excessive mucus. SO NO TREATS!!! Cecotropes and waste droppings are produced in different areas of the intestinal tract and at different times. by Marie Mead with Drs. Another presented with what is commonly referred to as “cow pile syndrome.” In both cases, the right diet returned them to a level of health that allowed them to live the remainder of their lives as normal rabbits. When a bunny has soft, poorly formed cecotropes, it is recommended that caregivers discuss the daily feeding regimen with a veterinarian who is knowledgeable about the appropriate diet before making major changes. Mustard greens Though long-fiber hay is preferable, timothy-based hay cubes are an option. This may be due to a starch or protein content in the pellet that is still too high for that individual rabbit. and E. coli can overgrow, produce iota toxins and thus wreak havoc on the body. Dr. Scott Stahl, who treats many rabbits at his exotic animal practice, advises: Rabbits are herbivorous and their proper diet includes high-fiber, low-energy foods such as grass hay and leafy greens. If the pellets are alfalfa-based, they should be replaced by grass-hay-based pellets as soon as possible. In addition, toxins such as heavy metal or inappropriate antibiotics can cause cecal flora changes. Digestible Fiber and Cecotropes (UK spellings include cecotrophs and caecotrophs), In contrast, digestible fiber, along with some fluid, is moved backwards from the upper part of the colon into the cecum. An irregular production or abnormal formation of cecotropes is often the result. Chocolate Rabbit poops are in the form of small balls that are uniform in appearance, dry, and hard to touch. He received his degree from Colorado State University in 1999 and practiced at the Makai Animal Clinic in Kailua, Hawaii, before moving to the Czech Republic. A non-profit rabbit rescue and education organization. Try different types of hay. In addition to House Rabbit Handbook: How to Live with an Urban Rabbit, the following list of publications, although by no means comprehensive, may assist those who desire additional research. Dr. Guerrera says that he’s had success emptying the cecum: Fluids are critical to the working of the cecum, so hydration is the key. Behaviors signaling pain (reference below). In a healthy rabbit, the organisms live in the intestinal tract without causing problems. The soft stools are actually malformed cecotropes that should have been eaten directly from the anus by the rabbit. Note that alfalfa is often mixed in with orchard grass, so it is wise to ask about content before purchasing. This would mean you are no longer seeing the soft cecotropes in the environment or on the rabbit. Some produce cecotropes in the late early morning, some in the late afternoon, and some during the night. Monitor the waste droppings as described above to make sure your pet is eating sufficient amounts of hay. Death from enterotoxemia can result within hours. Cecotropes are produced in the cecum which is a part of the rabbits digestive system. This painful, life-threatening condition, also caused by imbalance of the cecal flora, results in an impacted cecum. Escarole Usually, the babies will eat the cecotropes immediately, because it the natural thing for them to do. A healthy diet for a house rabbit consists of unlimited grass hay as its primary component with additional green foods and limited high fiber/low energy pellets. You must remove all other food items from the diet including pellets and treats. Rabbits should eat almost all of their cecotropes as they produce them. Cecotrophs contain around 28-30% crude protein and up to 30% of the total nitrogen intake of rabbits. Rabbits who have had cecal impactions in the past are more likely to develop problems in the future: the cecum may fill up again. Vitamin supplementation should be short term and need not continue once the pet is on a healthy diet and is producing normal cecotropes. Because cecal impaction and intestinal obstruction share some of the same signs, it’s critical that the veterinarian determine the cause of the rabbit’s problems to ensure correct treatment and follow-up. The signs for cecal motility disorders are non-specific; they may be indicative of some other problem. The primary author has a special interest in cecal function because of her rescued rabbits. Your veterinarian will provide the at-home treatment plan. Swiss chard (any color) Prevention of cecal disorders. There are times when the cecum does not empty and the rabbit is in a life-threatening situation. Both are life-threatening conditions. It is believed that the cecotropes can protect the rabbit from harmful pathogens. Though not a medically recognized condition, brief mention is included because of some of the similarities with cecal motility disorders. This shouldn't be confused with normal cecotropes that have been smooshed by your rabbit's feet or bottom. If the soft cecotropes return, remove the offending pellet and you may try a different brand of grass-based pellet. Diet plays a major role in setting up conditions favorable to the pathogenic bacteria. The Benefit of Cecotropes. Stress and inappropriate antibiotics may also be factors. Proper nutrition is a must for these rabbits to decrease the probability of recurrence. Some rabbits can be successfully fed small amounts of dried or fresh fruit if they are introduced gradually, with the cecotropes remaining normal. Treatment and Prognosis for Recovery: Cecal Hypomotility. I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to Drs. During this pellet conversion it is important to STOP ALL TREAT FOODS! The caregiver can assist in the process by providing astute and accurate observations about the problem. Treatment and Prognosis for Recovery from Enterotoxemia. If cecotropes are not ingested, the rabbit may experience dietary insufficiencies. Emergency treatment generally includes stabilization of the rabbit’s temperature, subcutaneous or intravenous fluids, pain medication, prokinetics (motility drugs), and syringe-feeding of a high-fiber food (e.g., Critical Care™). The progress of treatment can be evaluated and detection of any other diseases can be made. I give a small handful of SS to my buns everyday along with the greens and hay. Though the rabbit may look fat, due to abdominal distension, he or she may be very emaciated and most likely unable to absorb the nutrition needed to maintain health. Image Source Similar to humans, rabbits may be checked for any medical condition or rule out any illness by evaluating their poop. Antibiotics can also put a rabbit at high risk, especially oral administration of those contraindicated for them, such as clindamycin, erythromycin, penicillins, or cephalosporins. Decreased appetite; may exhibit pickiness (e.g., may eat leafy greens but not pellets). As adjunct professor at Purdue University, she teaches both veterinary and veterinary technician students. He has worked at the Denver Zoo, has presented various veterinary topics to local groups, and is a published author of several animal field studies. If it empties and the flora balance is restored, the prognosis for the rabbit is very good. Remember that from here on out, your rabbit should ALWAYS have grass hay available as the basis of a good diet. Breads A different type may be more appealing. That's really only suitable for juvenile rabbits (under 7 months) or breeding rabbits. Before the rabbit is dismissed from the hospital, sterile fluids are given subcutaneously to help soften the mass and get it moving. It can be caused by stress, illness or a diet too rich in starch, fat or sugar. SIGNS OF THREE STAGES OF CECAL MOTILITY DISORDERS. Throughout this article, the important role of diet is mentioned in both the cause and treatment of cecal disorders. and E. coli bacteria are normally found in small amounts in the cecum and do not cause a problem. Derived from amino acids, they affect a wide range of the rabbit’s physiological functions, including metabolism, smooth muscle action, and nerve transmissions. Rabbits have a complex and efficient gastrointestinal (GI) physiology that allows them to digest materials that are indigestible to non-herbivore species. If you are having difficulties converting your rabbit to the diet suggestions made above, please consult your veterinarian and work with him or her so your rabbit can be monitored during this process. The treatment of uncomplicated ISC (meaning the cause is primarily an inappropriate diet) is based on converting the rabbit to a healthy diet that is high in indigestible fiber, which normalizes the motility of the GI tract and lower in carbohydrates, which helps normalize the flora in the cecum. A common complaint of rabbit owners is having their pet produce normal dry stools along with soft, semi-liquid droppings that stick to the rabbit and to the surroundings. If the problem has been going on for months or the rabbit doesn’t browse the required amount of hay (making it necessary to feed some pellets), then the turn-around time may be longer. Some veterinarians feel that giving vitamin C during the treatment of ISS is helpful in improving the integrity of the wall of the cecum and decreasing toxin absorption into the body. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, CA – Ban of Fur Sales (Including Rabbit Fur), Deepening the Bond: How to Connect with Your Rabbit through Massage, Tellington TTouch for a Happy and Healthy Rabbit, Normal behavior and activity levels   (e.g., alert, inquisitive, active), Varying behaviors, from deceivingly normal (active, alert) to lethargic and depressed, Critically ill: lethargic, unresponsive. Cecal hypomotility (slowdown), which can lead to serious problems, results in fewer cecotropes – something not easily observed by the caregiver. First of all, you need to determine what’s in the pellets you are feeding. Home Care: The Rabbit with Cecal Impaction. May exhibit mild to moderate pain (e.g., less active), Severe abdominal pain due to gas accumulation. There are several online hay sources where you can order small bags of different types of grass hay. Rabbits produce two different types of droppings. However, this messiness is not generally caused by fecal matter but is due to liquid or malformed cecotropes matting the fur. Toxins from the environment such as heavy metal, toxic plants, etc. For Rabbits not Currently Eating Grass Hay. Infection with coccidia and/or rotavirus may contribute to the stress in the gut by causing mucosal damage but are not considered to be the major causes of diarrhea in rabbits. Many brands of rabbit feed contain seeds, corn and other foods that are too high in calories to be the basis for a healthy rabbit’s diet. In this case you can increase the consumption of greens to twice the amount listed above per day. Caregivers may want to consider supplementing their rabbit’s care with alternative therapies, some of which are addressed in separate articles posted on this website. Wheat You can try adding in about 1/8 cup per 4 lbs of body weight initially and go up to no more then ¼ cup of pellets per 4 lbs body weight per day maximum. Once eaten, the cecotropes are gradually broken down in the digestive tract and the nutrient-laden cecal flora are assimilated. Some common causes for true diarrhea in a rabbit include: Diarrhea in rabbits differs from diarrhea seen in dogs, cats or humans. Unfortunately, the rabbit may not always be brought to the animal hospital early in the condition. There are times when combining the expertise of both standard and alternative treatments offers the best supportive care. It is beyond the scope of this article to address all cecal disorders. It may be that a rabbit reacts with loss of appetite and subsequent slowdown of gut motility, which leads to the life-threatening shutdown of both the intestinal tract and the cecum. It is better to feed some type of hay rather than no hay at all and you can continue with the same plan described for treating ISC with grass hay. Gaining an understanding of how this large organ works – and what causes disruption – will help caregivers monitor their rabbits’ health, detect early signs of cecal disorder, and take steps to prevent a bunny’s condition from worsening. UPDATE (RE: COMMENT) : I looked up Jack Rabbit pellets and the first listed ingredient is alfalfa. Another important benefit of feeding the grass hay to the exclusion of other foods initially is that your pet will experience a healthy weight loss. Brief mention of cow pile syndrome, which shares some similar signs with cecal disorders, is included at the end of the article. After your pet’s cecotrops have returned to normal for at least a week, it is time to introduce green foods into the diet. When your rabbit returns to normal stool production and after the introduction of green foods you can try feeding small amounts of fruits and other vegetables as treats. A rabbit usually produces cecotropes at a characteristic time of the day, which may vary from rabbit to rabbit. If a rabbit cannot eat the cecotropes, then she may be missing vital nutrients those special droppings provide. This negative effect on prostaglandins, a group of hormone-like substances, is an important consideration. Caregivers can usually entice their rabbits to eat hay by offering variety and interest, perhaps sprinkling on an aromatic cooking herb for example. Some veterinarians may prescribe probiotics for rabbits on antibiotics for extended periods of time, but the efficacy of presently available probiotics is currently unknown. For most veterinarians, surgery into the cecum is the last resort; thus, it is carried out primarily on critically ill patients. Dr. Chlebeček explains: When a rabbit is severely dehydrated, the peripheral circulation shuts down in order to maintain circulation to internal organs and the brain. In true diarrhea (which is rare in rabbits), there is an absence of any formed stool and the consistency of the fecal material is watery. Signs of three stages of cecal motility disorders, including abnormally soft cecotropes, cecal hypomotility (slowdown), and cecal impaction (stasis). You will see the normal round, dry waste droppings and only the occasional formed cecotrope in the litter box or cage floor. These food capsules are not fecal waste; they are a critical part of the diet. My sincere thanks to the veterinarians named in this article for sharing their expertise during personal interviews and in subsequent feedback. There are various stages and manifestations of cecal motility disorders. It can cause messy bottoms and large piles of messy cecotropes in their cage. These toxins are absorbed into the bloodstream and affect many organs in the rabbit’s body, often resulting in death in a very short time. I also want to rule out other systemic illness or disease. The diagnosis is based primarily on clinical signs and history, most importantly the diet and any current use of antibiotics, and a physical examination. Dr. Tomáš Chlebeček, a companion animal veterinarian who also has a special interest in rabbits, adds this: In a well-functioning digestive system, simple sugars and starches are removed by the small intestine before the food reaches the cecum. Caregivers can become knowledgeable about drugs considered safe for rabbits by perusing articles on this website, including where to find additional medical information. For additional information, reference “Liver (Hepatic) Disease in Rabbits,” posted on this website. Though rabbits are crepuscular (meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk), house rabbits react to variable lighting and their human’s schedule, so they may graze throughout the day and produce cecotropes any number of times. I would also have concern about the long-term prognosis for the rabbit. Endive The treatment of ISC is based first on a serious diet restriction to grass hay, which acts to return the GI tract to normal, and secondly a gradual reintroduction of additional foods after normal cecotropes are produced for at least a week. Overview of article. Enterotoxemia, including signs, treatment and prognosis, and home care; the disease is related to cecal motility disorders in that it also affects the gastrointestinal tract. Cecal impaction is extremely serious. The most important part of the treatment of uncomplicated ISC is to feed grass hay to your pet. Put hay in baskets or stuffed in empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls around the exercise area. The condition may involve only a slight decrease in size and/or frequency of stool production, and gut sounds may be normal. True diarrhea in a rabbit is a sign of a serious and often fatal condition. Rabbits do not become underweight on this diet so you do not need to monitor the weight. Essentially, the disease is a poisoning of a rabbit’s system, and it is caused by the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, notably Clostridium spiroforme and E. coli. In a nutshell, the problem is not the production of soft stool (the waste material that makes up the round, dry droppings) but that the cecotropes, the nutrient-rich droppings produced by the cecum, are abnormally liquid and cannot be eaten. Inappropriate diet is certainly a major factor, and in young rabbits it is the most prevalent cause of enterotoxemia. Many rabbits with ISC are overweight, and not only do they feel sluggish because of the GI problems but because of their weight it is more difficult for them to exercise. Corn The next most common cause is the use of inappropriate antibiotics that harm the flora in the rabbit’s cecum. At the end of the article is a chart that sums up the various disorders and signs. The more chronic form of it is mucoid enteropathy. Strawberries. There is no specific test to diagnose the cause of ISC. Each rabbit is an individual. We suggest adding one new green food every 48 hours to make sure no soft stools are being formed. In addition to inappropriate diet, cecal slowdown may be caused by ingestion of a foreign material such as cat litter (e.g., wheat, corn, clay), bulk-forming products such as psyllium, carpet material, seeds, or dried legumes. It is preferable, if possible, to feed more than one type of grass hay for variety. Cecal motility disorders. A rabbit who suffers from cecal impaction generally will not be returned home until he is no longer in critical condition. Overgrowth of inappropriate bacteria such as Clostridium spp. However, as previously noted by Dr. Brown, a rabbit will not necessarily proceed through each stage. Fiber is second in importance. Radicchio Normal Fecal Pellets. It is very harmful to overfeed your bunny, so you will want to pay attention to how many carrots you give … It uses primarily bacteria, along with some protozoa and fungal (yeast) flora, to convert food into the amino acids, vitamins, and volatile fatty acids needed for a healthy existence. However, some rabbits who are producing abnormal cecotropes will not completely return to normal if fed any pellets, even grass-hay-based. This should be the only food given until the stools return to normal. When a rabbit is fed appropriately, a balance of bacteria in the cecum works slowly to break down fibrous plant foodstuffs, providing volatile fatty acids for energy as well as amino acids, vitamins, and particular enzymes. Edible flowers from the garden (organically grown and NOT from a florist) such as roses, nasturtiums, day lilies, pansies and snap dragons If this is not possible, any of the hays mentioned may be used. 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