Gradual tends to indicate a chronic condition, as opposed to acute which when accompanied by obvious depression would indicate something more serious and potentially life threatening. Any pain may make the animal reluctant to eat, or stop eating totally. Without food entirely, the rabbit rapidly goes into negative energy balance, which leads to hepatic lipidosis, ketosis and progresses towards coma and death. Stress, disease, intestinal parasites, and inappropriate use of antibiotics can also disturb the gastrointestinal tract microflora. Enteritis Enteritis is defined as inflammation of the intestines.
Diarrhoea can be a symptom of enteritis.
In acute case of enteritis diarrhoea leads to dehydration whilst in the chronic form the animal ceases to thrive and the abdomen may become tucked up in appearance. By increasing the quantity of fibre in the diet these problems can be alleviated. Enteritis becomes more complicated when other factors are involved. Chronic Soft Stools There may be a decline in the number and size of hard faeces, and possibly the presence of some soft stools interspersed amongst them. These soft stools have a strong odour and high mucus content and may be found on the floor of the hutch, on the carpet or adhering to and smeared around the rabbits perineal region.