From: njl@drutx.ATT.COM (LaRocheNJ)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: fat bunny
Summary: Fat is ccan be one factor in diahrrea
Date: 16 Dec 92 19:46:48 GMT
Organization: AT&T, Denver, CO

In article <1ggqu9INNsmk@overload.lbl.gov>, horsman@geo.lbl.gov (Jennifer Horsman) writes:
> My friend's rabbit Nikki is a lop mix. She has always had problems
> with diarrea...Nikki is also very fat looking.  Nikki only gets half a cup of
> rabbit pellets per day and some fresh alfalfa hay.

There are two problems here, and they may or may not be related.

1.  Fat--A fat rabbit has difficulty harvesting the cecal droppings that are
	 essential to maintain the needed level of gram-positive bacteria in
	 the gut.

	 Pet rabbits are the most likely to get fat as they age, because the
	 pellets that are made for rabbits are usually based on the "needs" of
	 stock animals--i.e., the desire of the people to get the rabbit ready
	 for the butcher as early as possible.  So they are higher in calories
	 than is good for an animal for whom longevity is a priority.  :(

	 Also, alfalfa is somewhat fattening.  Switching to a grass hay, or even
	 better, straw (calorie-less fiber) is much better than alfalfa for an
	 older bunny.  (Besides, alfalfa is also high in calcium and can lead to
	 problems in the urinary tract in older bunnies.)

	 Most vegetables that are good for rabbits are very low in calories and
	 take up space in the stomach that the rabbit would otherwise use for
	 more fattening things.  Probably carrots are the best choice to try to
	 get him interested in, since they are one of the least " bowel loosening"
	 veggies.  Cut a slice of good, fresh carrot into several small pieces,
	 releasing lots of the odor, and place them in the cage beside the food
	 dish.  Repeat this daily for at least 10 days, removing them after
	 they've been there for several hours.  Chances are good that within
	 this period, he will eventually "discover" that they taste good.

	 Pet rabbits often don't get enough exercise, either, especially as they
	 get older.  Less time in the cage, another (young, but gentle) pet to
	 "pester" the rabbit, games of chase and tag with it's people (all that
	 matters is that the rabbit runs in short spurts for up to 20 minutes
	 without being traumatized--i.e., don't scare the poor thing to death,
	 just keep him moving, but not continuously--rabbits are sprinters, not
	 long-distance runners and have to have rest between sprints), more
	 walks outside, and best of all, lots of supervised, but free, time in
	 a safely enclosed yard with lots of good, non-toxic plants to sample
	 or play around are all helpful.


2.  Diahrrea--some rabbits simply have a chronic kind of diahrrea for which
	 no one has figured out the cause.  This bunny may be one of these.
	 However, there are some things that can be done (and should be even if
	 after all is said and done, they haven't solved the problem).

	 Have a vet check for coccidiosis, or other parasite that might be the
	 cause.

	 Get the bunny's weight down so he can easily harvest his cecal
	 droppings.

	 Get rid of the alfalfa--it causes diahrrea in a lot of rabbits.  Use a
	 grass hay or plain straw.

	 Stick to carrots and bananas as treats (if you can get him to eat them)
	 and avoid anything with sugar (the yogurt drops are mostly sugar).

	 Always give small portions of treats every day, a grain-type in the
	 morning and a veggie/fruit-type in the evening--don't skip a few days
	 and then try to make up for it.  (1 teaspoon per 4 lbs of bunny is a
	 good amount for grains, which are very fattening.)

	 Always add acidophilus powder to the water and sprinkle it over the
	 pellets.

	 If nothing else works, you might discuss a tummy-tuck with a vet.  One
	 of my bunnies who had chronic diahrrea was adopted by a marvelous couple
	 who did everything possible, and finally decided she needed a tummy-tuck
	 (she was around seven years old, and as many females do, had gotten
	 heavy around the middle).  Their vet performed the procedure and she is
	 now far more active, is obviously comfortable harvesting her cecal
	 droppings, feels much better, and has a spell of diahrrea only once
	 every coule of weeks (a VAST improvement).

	 Finally, if nothing else helps, your friend may have to keep a diaper on
	 the bun to minimize cleanup (has to be belly-banded on with ace
	 bandage).  In any case, she should keep the hair around the anus clipped
	 very short to prevent masses of gunk clinging to it and causing
	 irritaion and infection, and clean the bun's bottom as often as
	 necessary to keep it clean.  (Apply lotion or one of the diaper-rash
	 ointments to the skin to help prevent irritation and speed healing.)

Hope this helps.  Let us know if anything works.

Nancy LaRoche (HRS)
att!drutx!njl


> it - no treats (she doesn't like them anyway.) But, she doesn't
> seem to be losing weight. And the diarrea problem is always there.
> My friend has tried several types of pellets and has found some
> that do the least damage. Well, what can I say... *help*!!
> What is she doing wrong? Nikki seems happy despite all of this.
> Jennifer and Lynda (and Nikki and Hamlet)


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