Benjie is now 5 1/2 & usually has guts of iron, he's on a forage only diet to reduce dust for his snuffles - staple is tree leaves & twigs. He has a huge moult in Autumn, so I wasn't surprised that he was eating more, but very surprised to find uneaten caecals x2 per week. Then the weather turned colder but he has a place under the dressing table near a radiator which traps a bit of heat for him. Heating is left on 24/7 to this one radiator to avoid sudden drops in temp overnight. (Moulting & sudden temp drops are stresses for a bun) He was still eating much more than usual but not gaining weight.
Although he was eating lots of blackthorn, this wasn't stopping the minimal dysbiosis completely. His waste poohs were minimally smaller & slightly teardrop shaped rather than the usual big round ones. Fibre seperation was excellent
I had niggling concerns about caecal function - a small impaction? perhaps early caecal coccidiosis? A large unformed caecal precipitated my trip to the vet but he was fine on examination - advise - see how he goes.
Benjie usually changes his preferred fibre to young fresh willow twigs in Jan -Feb. No idea why.
This year I offered him willow twigs + leaves early, & he ate them avidly. A week later - no uneaten caecals - waste poohs completely normal - eating his usual amount of food.
I'm used to Benjie's seasonal changes. They've been a bit different this year.
Just a lesson to remember that when we're talking about low calorie forage eg equivalent to hay & rough field grass they sometimes need a selection of alternatives offered. They know how to sort out their tummies the best.
All I can do is to research what we know forage plants contain, & make a guess about why they prefer certain forage in certain situations. We know so little, & think ourselves so clever. I'm forever amazed by how my buns can treat their minor ailments themselves, & also, when they need medication know what to eat to help it to work.
ETA a problem with a forage fed bun is that they always have beautiful soft glossy coats even when ill. Makes it tough for the poor vets!
Although he was eating lots of blackthorn, this wasn't stopping the minimal dysbiosis completely. His waste poohs were minimally smaller & slightly teardrop shaped rather than the usual big round ones. Fibre seperation was excellent
I had niggling concerns about caecal function - a small impaction? perhaps early caecal coccidiosis? A large unformed caecal precipitated my trip to the vet but he was fine on examination - advise - see how he goes.
Benjie usually changes his preferred fibre to young fresh willow twigs in Jan -Feb. No idea why.
This year I offered him willow twigs + leaves early, & he ate them avidly. A week later - no uneaten caecals - waste poohs completely normal - eating his usual amount of food.
I'm used to Benjie's seasonal changes. They've been a bit different this year.
Just a lesson to remember that when we're talking about low calorie forage eg equivalent to hay & rough field grass they sometimes need a selection of alternatives offered. They know how to sort out their tummies the best.
All I can do is to research what we know forage plants contain, & make a guess about why they prefer certain forage in certain situations. We know so little, & think ourselves so clever. I'm forever amazed by how my buns can treat their minor ailments themselves, & also, when they need medication know what to eat to help it to work.
ETA a problem with a forage fed bun is that they always have beautiful soft glossy coats even when ill. Makes it tough for the poor vets!
Last edited: