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Fur in poo, and grooming brush question!

ImoT

ImoT

Mama Doe
So Winston is moulting like mad at the moment. I am grooming him every day but there is still so much fur coming off him when I stroke him/when he moves! This morning he had fur in his poo….is this normal during moulting times? I'll increase his amount of treat hay to encourage him to eat as much hay as possible to help it pass through him.

On a related note, which brushes are best for grooming rabbits? He is a Dutch if that helps at all. I currently have this brush; http://www.barksandbunnies.co.uk/collections/rabbit-grooming/products/hedgehog-slicker The bristle bits seem really good so I was thinking of getting a second brush that is just those bristle type bits?

I also have this comb; http://www.moreforpets.ltd.uk/p-634-ancol-small-animal-double-sided-comb.aspx This comb isn't much use. It was great at getting matts out when he had his mucky bum but it's not very good for general grooming
 
Some fur in poo is normal, it's when the fecal poos are strung together like a string of pearls that alarm bells should really start ringing. Increasing hay intake, fluid intake and exercise should help promote good gut motility.

I find that the best method of dealing with a very heavy moult is to gently pluck as much of the lose fur off as possible. Then run damp hands over the coat. I have yet to find any type of brush/comb that works as well as my own hands ! I do then finish off by using a small equine body brush and in longer coated Rabbits I also use a blunt toothed comb xx
 
ImoT said:
So Winston is moulting like mad at the moment. I am grooming him every day but there is still so much fur coming off him when I stroke him/when he moves! This morning he had fur in his poo….is this normal during moulting times? I'll increase his amount of treat hay to encourage him to eat as much hay as possible to help it pass through him.

On a related note, which brushes are best for grooming rabbits? He is a Dutch if that helps at all. I currently have this brush; http://www.barksandbunnies.co.uk/collections/rabbit-grooming/products/hedgehog-slicker The bristle bits seem really good so I was thinking of getting a second brush that is just those bristle type bits?

I also have this comb; http://www.moreforpets.ltd.uk/p-634-ancol-small-animal-double-sided-comb.aspx This comb isn't much use. It was great at getting matts out when he had his mucky bum but it's not very good for general grooming
Click to expand...

Yes fur in poop is normal! Fur in the poo indicates that it's coming out, and I've been told by vet specialists that this is not a problem and in fact a good thing. Increasing hay as you're doing is also good!

I always use a cat's moulting comb, which I find gets the bits that are ready to come out. I can also tease matts out with this comb. A brush I find never does anything, but I think it's trial and error to see what works best for you ...
 
I use a similar comb to the one you listed, but it is a dog version so is probably a bit longer. I use it for all the cats (longhaired), rabbits (mainly lionhead crosses) and guinea pigs. I find that short haired rabbits are easier to groom outside when there is a bit of a breeze. I sit with them on my knee and gently comb the fur upwards / against the way it normally lies, so that the wind takes the loose bits out, then comb it flat again. Most of the loose fur seems to be around the back legs / hips / tail / 'trouser' area down the back legs. I normally do them once a week, but if they are moulting heavily it will need doing more frequently.
 
Jack's-Jane said:
Some fur in poo is normal, it's when the fecal poos are strung together like a string of pearls that alarm bells should really start ringing. Increasing hay intake, fluid intake and exercise should help promote good gut motility.

I find that the best method of dealing with a very heavy moult is to gently pluck as much of the lose fur off as possible. Then run damp hands over the coat. I have yet to find any type of brush/comb that works as well as my own hands ! I do then finish off by using a small equine body brush and in longer coated Rabbits I also use a blunt toothed comb xx
Click to expand...

Hi Jane & Imo,

Sorry to hijack your thread but Jane, where you say when poos are strung together should start alarm bells ringing.. I'm starting to worry, as honey has had a couple of threads of poos joined together over the last couple of days! Is this really bad? Does she need to see the vets? She is eating hay & forage fine!

Thanks so much xx
 
Thank you everyone for your advice! The poo is just normal poo with fur in it, and he hasn't had very much of it! He is looking a little patchy because his fur isn't coming out evenly. My OH is now the grooming expert and got looooads of loose fur out this evening! Taking it out with hands seems to be the answer! Ruth, I hope Honey is okay :)
 
ImoT said:
Thank you everyone for your advice! The poo is just normal poo with fur in it, and he hasn't had very much of it! He is looking a little patchy because his fur isn't coming out evenly. My OH is now the grooming expert and got looooads of loose fur out this evening! Taking it out with hands seems to be the answer! Ruth, I hope Honey is okay :)
Click to expand...

Yes I often pluck the bits of hair out, but they don't like it and run away! I have to restrain them and comb properly if I want a good job done.

Hair in poo is no big deal - neither is string of pearls - better out than in :shock:
 
Ruthyjones89 said:
Hi Jane & Imo,

Sorry to hijack your thread but Jane, where you say when poos are strung together should start alarm bells ringing.. I'm starting to worry, as honey has had a couple of threads of poos joined together over the last couple of days! Is this really bad? Does she need to see the vets? She is eating hay & forage fine!

Thanks so much xx
Click to expand...

Sorry, I have only just seen your post.

'String of pearls' poo is indicative of the fact that the GI tract may be struggling a bit with regards to motility/fur ingestion.The GI tract motility is probably reduced thus it is struggling with the fur. Some people think it is fur ingestion that causes GI tract hypomotility, but it is usually the other way around. A reduced GI tract motility causes a fur build up.

If the Rabbit is passing normal fecal pellets too, eating normally and in all other ways completely 'well' then rushing off to the Vet is not necessary straight away. But extra vigilance re input/output is needed. I would try to up hay and water intake, even if this means cutting right back on hard feed (pellets etc). I'd also groom the Rabbit at least twice a day to try to minimise the amount of fur ingested. I'd also do the same for any companions the Rabbit lives with as fur will be ingested during social grooming too. Plenty of exercise will also help promote good gut motility.

If the problem persists for more than 3-4 days then I would ask my Vet to check the Rabbit over. Obviously if the Rabbit appeared 'off' within themselves I'd consult a Vet before that. But plenty of hay/water and exercise plus additional grooming usually rectifies the problem.
 
I have just discovered the 'damp hands' brushing....it works so well, Obi doesn't like it mind you but I'd rather get as much hair off him so he's not eating it...it's coming out in little clumps again by the ton, I thought we'd been through the moult but obviously not, having said that a little less coat must be a good thing with the weather currently being so warm :)
 
Colly said:
I have just discovered the 'damp hands' brushing....it works so well, Obi doesn't like it mind you but I'd rather get as much hair off him so he's not eating it...it's coming out in little clumps again by the ton, I thought we'd been through the moult but obviously not, having said that a little less coat must be a good thing with the weather currently being so warm :)
Click to expand...

I find my rabbits get away from me too easily with the 'damp hands' treatment :lol: They have to be restrained for their grooms!
 
Colly said:
I have just discovered the 'damp hands' brushing....it works so well, Obi doesn't like it mind you but I'd rather get as much hair off him so he's not eating it...it's coming out in little clumps again by the ton, I thought we'd been through the moult but obviously not, having said that a little less coat must be a good thing with the weather currently being so warm :)
Click to expand...

I tried damp hands brushing last night, it didn't work at all. I just got hair all over me and Winston got damp and didn't seem to be very happy with that! I think i'll stick to picking bits out and just stroking him (with dry hands) to get it all out, and then using a brush to pick it all up!
 
ImoT said:
I tried damp hands brushing last night, it didn't work at all. I just got hair all over me and Winston got damp and didn't seem to be very happy with that! I think i'll stick to picking bits out and just stroking him (with dry hands) to get it all out, and then using a brush to pick it all up!
Click to expand...

:lol: I know it's infuriating isn't it? I end up with both hands covered with fur which won't come off! :lol:
 
MightyMax said:
:lol: I know it's infuriating isn't it? I end up with both hands covered with fur which won't come off! :lol:
Click to expand...
I wipe it on the grass, but then I'm outside the pen ;P I recommend just using a bowl of water and washing your hands every few strokes, so keeping your hands wet AND less furry!
 
keletkezes said:
I wipe it on the grass, but then I'm outside the pen ;P I recommend just using a bowl of water and washing your hands every few strokes, so keeping your hands wet AND less furry!
Click to expand...

Great idea about the bowl of water :thumb:

I'm indoors, so wiping them on the sofa would not be approved of ... :lol:
 
back to the poo though :lol: our Boo has been doing strings of poo for months now & I'm not worried provides she keeps herself hydrated & scoffing hay / forage
 
Jack's-Jane said:
Sorry, I have only just seen your post.

'String of pearls' poo is indicative of the fact that the GI tract may be struggling a bit with regards to motility/fur ingestion.The GI tract motility is probably reduced thus it is struggling with the fur. Some people think it is fur ingestion that causes GI tract hypomotility, but it is usually the other way around. A reduced GI tract motility causes a fur build up.

If the Rabbit is passing normal fecal pellets too, eating normally and in all other ways completely 'well' then rushing off to the Vet is not necessary straight away. But extra vigilance re input/output is needed. I would try to up hay and water intake, even if this means cutting right back on hard feed (pellets etc). I'd also groom the Rabbit at least twice a day to try to minimise the amount of fur ingested. I'd also do the same for any companions the Rabbit lives with as fur will be ingested during social grooming too. Plenty of exercise will also help promote good gut motility.

If the problem persists for more than 3-4 days then I would ask my Vet to check the Rabbit over. Obviously if the Rabbit appeared 'off' within themselves I'd consult a Vet before that. But plenty of hay/water and exercise plus additional grooming usually rectifies the problem.
Click to expand...

Hi Jane & Imo,

Thanks so much both! :)

Yes honey is fine.. Sorry just seeing your comments scared me a little. She is much more regular now & back to normal poo but Jesus it doesn't half stink!

Both her & Harvey are moulting really badly.. I'm trying the damp hands as you both recommend which is brilliant but they are constantly cleaning themselves.

Regarding exercise this is not a problem.. They basically own our house, honey will sleep under our bed at night & Harvey loves coming to find us when we're in the loo! Lol! But now ive let them get away with it, they are no longer happy with just having access to our lounge, dining room, kitchen & corridor! :lol: xx
 
Ruthyjones89 said:
Regarding exercise this is not a problem.. They basically own our house, honey will sleep under our bed at night & Harvey loves coming to find us when we're in the loo! Lol! But now ive let them get away with it, they are no longer happy with just having access to our lounge, dining room, kitchen & corridor! :lol: xx
Click to expand...
At least they're not the sit-in-a-corner lazy sort XD Should all be fine :) Lopsy's lazy if we let him, so we have to be creative with feeding XD Aboleth, it turns out, is also lazy but willing to let Lopsy do some of the work ;P
 
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