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Sensative tummy

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Hello,
So my 14 week old Lionhead, Hoggle has developed some sort of intolerance to his pellets, he has been having 1 tbsp of Burgress junior and dwarf nuggets a day for the first month then 2 weeks ago after having his nuggets he produced excessive droppings that where wet but not runny, darker than usual and all different shapes and sizes. I gave him only hay for 2 days and it went back to normal, following giving him a few nuggets his droppings went back to the wet ones. I've checked the ingredients and there is a lot of wheat in them... so am wondering if it's that?! Since then he is eating a lot of hay as usual, and I am trying to slowly introduce enough veg into his diet but every few days his droppings go back to wet and squishy. He is 14 weeks old, is acting normal is eating and drinking properly but the poor thing is getting fed up of me having to constantly clean up his poopy bum. Does anyone have any advice for rabbits with sensative tummys and also what I can give him to put a bit of weight back on as I am worried that he is loosing weight. I will be taking him to the vets as soon as I can, but just wanted to know if there was something I could do in the meantime.
 
Hello,
So my 14 week old Lionhead, Hoggle has developed some sort of intolerance to his pellets, he has been having 1 tbsp of Burgress junior and dwarf nuggets a day for the first month then 2 weeks ago after having his nuggets he produced excessive droppings that where wet but not runny, darker than usual and all different shapes and sizes. I gave him only hay for 2 days and it went back to normal, following giving him a few nuggets his droppings went back to the wet ones. I've checked the ingredients and there is a lot of wheat in them... so am wondering if it's that?! Since then he is eating a lot of hay as usual, and I am trying to slowly introduce enough veg into his diet but every few days his droppings go back to wet and squishy. He is 14 weeks old, is acting normal is eating and drinking properly but the poor thing is getting fed up of me having to constantly clean up his poopy bum. Does anyone have any advice for rabbits with sensative tummys and also what I can give him to put a bit of weight back on as I am worried that he is loosing weight. I will be taking him to the vets as soon as I can, but just wanted to know if there was something I could do in the meantime.


Hi Button and welcome to the Forum :wave:

Your rabbit is quite young, and it's hard to cut pellets down, or out altogether, but you may have to go down that route to some extent. Usually cutting the pellets down will help without having to cut them out completely, as he needs his calories at this stage.

Some rabbits do have sensitive tummies, though it's hard to know whether this is the case at the moment. To increase his calorie intake with fibre you could provide some readigrass (freeze dried grass) and also some alfalfa hay. Both are very nourishing, but not so many carbs as the pellets.

You can also try another brand of pellet/food for him. Not all are the same. You could experiment with both Fibafirst:

http://supremepetfoods.com/fiba-first-2/

And also Oxbow bunny basics which are very fibrous:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Petlife-Bunny-Basics-Complete-Rabbit/dp/B005M9LK4O

That way he will still get all the vitamins and minerals he needs, which is important as he's still growing.


Sometimes forage is the way to go, rather than veg, as it's easier to digest than supermarket veg. Especially things like bramble leaves, which are really good for digestion.

Some ideas here:

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/free-food-for-rabbits

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/free-food-for-rabbits/foraging

http://www.therabbithouse.com/blog/2014/06/04/rabbit-safe-weeds/


And some ideas for diet here:

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/ar...heets/recommended-diet-for-adult-rabbits/view

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-diet/

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_diseases/Food/feeding_en.pdf

http://rabbit.org/faq-diet/


I would also talk with the vet, especially if you have a very good rabbit savvy vet. They may advise a probiotic for him:

http://www.vetark.co.uk/pages/Avipro-Plus_4.aspx


I hope there might be a snippet there that's useful, and welcome once again :D
 
I forgot to say that he has veg, which at the moment is organic dark lettuce (not iceburg!) and the odd fine bean, and unlimited access to hay 24 hours a day, I'd say he eats at least 3 times his body size in hay a day.
 
Wow! Thank you,
I've had lots of rabbits in the past but never had one that has such radical reactions to pellets or food in general. He is a good hay eater, is fairly fussy with veg I only feed organic and take time introducing anything new. He seems okay with veg but still is producing droppings of mixed shapes and sizes.
I will check the links out hopefully I'll be able to find something he can have as I don't want him to get ill. I'm a bit conserved about the whole trial and error of finding a suitable pellet for him as his poor bottom got so sore the last time he had pellets!
 
Wow! Thank you,
I've had lots of rabbits in the past but never had one that has such radical reactions to pellets or food in general. He is a good hay eater, is fairly fussy with veg I only feed organic and take time introducing anything new. He seems okay with veg but still is producing droppings of mixed shapes and sizes.
I will check the links out hopefully I'll be able to find something he can have as I don't want him to get ill. I'm a bit conserved about the whole trial and error of finding a suitable pellet for him as his poor bottom got so sore the last time he had pellets!


You're welcome :)

I do understand your reservations with the pellets. Were it not for him being such a youngster and losing weight, I would suggest completely pellet-free. Your vet may recommend that, but best the advice comes from an expert.

About young rabbits in particular:

http://www.therabbithouse.com/diet/diet-baby.asp

I would be interested in your vet's advice :thumb:
 
That is great, thank you!
I will pop to my vets after I finish work tomorrow and ask for a bit of advice and set up an appointment. Then pick up some grass readigrass and whatever they suggest food wise. I'll update you on what they say. :D
I hope that he will be okay! He is such an affectionate little thing and just gets more cheeky each day. He loves to cuddle and for the first time since I brought him home chose to go to my husband and sit on his shoulder and groomed his beard! :love:
 
I think you are right to take him to the vet (is he rabbit-savvy?) because rabbits can go downhill very quickly. As your rabbit is so young, it is of even more concern.
 
Hello,
So my 14 week old Lionhead, Hoggle has developed some sort of intolerance to his pellets, he has been having 1 tbsp of Burgress junior and dwarf nuggets a day for the first month then 2 weeks ago after having his nuggets he produced excessive droppings that where wet but not runny, darker than usual and all different shapes and sizes. I gave him only hay for 2 days and it went back to normal, following giving him a few nuggets his droppings went back to the wet ones. I've checked the ingredients and there is a lot of wheat in them... so am wondering if it's that?! Since then he is eating a lot of hay as usual, and I am trying to slowly introduce enough veg into his diet but every few days his droppings go back to wet and squishy. He is 14 weeks old, is acting normal is eating and drinking properly but the poor thing is getting fed up of me having to constantly clean up his poopy bum. Does anyone have any advice for rabbits with sensative tummys and also what I can give him to put a bit of weight back on as I am worried that he is loosing weight. I will be taking him to the vets as soon as I can, but just wanted to know if there was something I could do in the meantime.

This may sound like an odd question, but what is the coat colour of your Rabbit ? Is he black/Brown and white broken/spotted, like an English Spot Rabbit or a 'Frosty point' ? It is relevant as in both colour types a genetic issue causing gut problems can be involved. I have one such Rabbit myself and his symptoms started at about 14 weeks and were the same as your Rabbits. My Rabbit cannot have any type of pelleted feed at all except 100% pure grass pellets (actually manufactured for Horses!)

I would get your Rabbit examined by a Rabbit Savvy Vet ASAP to try to establish what is going on. Good luck x
 
This may sound like an odd question, but what is the coat colour of your Rabbit ? Is he black/Brown and white broken/spotted, like an English Spot Rabbit or a 'Frosty point' ? It is relevant as in both colour types a genetic issue causing gut problems can be involved. I have one such Rabbit myself and his symptoms started at about 14 weeks and were the same as your Rabbits. My Rabbit cannot have any type of pelleted feed at all except 100% pure grass pellets (actually manufactured for Horses!)

I would get your Rabbit examined by a Rabbit Savvy Vet ASAP to try to establish what is going on. Good luck x

He is an extreme torte split (pictured in my avatar) he is white with apricot patches and also a lilac patch on his back! The vet that I take him to is very rabbit savvy, but there it is a big practice so they have lots of different vets there so I have to book appointments for the days she is working, as it's pot luck if you take them in for an 'emergency' appointment that day. She is extremely good and knows very rare conditions, and seems to do all she can for you!
Do you know what it is called? As I can mention it and get them to check for it, just in case? What did they tell you to do? I am going there later on today to speak to them and set up an appointment so will mention it. Is there anything I can do for the meantime?
Thank you for your advice, it will be a big help on the way of getting to the route of the problem, as I don't want to keep trying him on different pellets that will cause him distress so the more I know now the more I can get them to check for! Fingers crossed they can find out what is wrong straight away!!
 
He is an extreme torte split (pictured in my avatar) he is white with apricot patches and also a lilac patch on his back! The vet that I take him to is very rabbit savvy, but there it is a big practice so they have lots of different vets there so I have to book appointments for the days she is working, as it's pot luck if you take them in for an 'emergency' appointment that day. She is extremely good and knows very rare conditions, and seems to do all she can for you!
Do you know what it is called? As I can mention it and get them to check for it, just in case? What did they tell you to do? I am going there later on today to speak to them and set up an appointment so will mention it. Is there anything I can do for the meantime?
Thank you for your advice, it will be a big help on the way of getting to the route of the problem, as I don't want to keep trying him on different pellets that will cause him distress so the more I know now the more I can get them to check for! Fingers crossed they can find out what is wrong straight away!!

It's very unlikely that your Rabbit is effected, but one condition I was referring to is called 'Megacolon'

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/RO-Spring-17-Megacolon.pdf

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_diseases/Mega/mega_en.htm

My Rabbit is suspected of having a condition called 'Dysautonomia', for him it effects his GI tract, his brain (he has seizures/absences) and his heart. I think the chances of your Rabbit having this condition are absolutely minimal.

We went through a battery of diagnostics to try to obtain a definitive diagnosis, but Dysautonomia is near on impossible to diagnose in a live Rabbit. For my Rabbit the diagnosis is assumed based on all other possibilities drawing a blank. My Rabbit's GI tract symptoms are managed by keeping him on a pellet free diet, just one pellet of any type will cause him huge problems. He has a variety of hays and forages, dried grass, fresh and dried herbs and some Vegetables, mostly dark leafy greens, carrot tops, kale and occasionally Broccoli.

On the advice of an Exotics Specialist Vet my Rabbit also has a dietary supplement called Avipro Plus. It is a water soluble Prebiotic. Prebiotics are not destroyed by gastric acid (unlike Probiotics) and Prebiotics can aid the absorption of dietary nutrients.

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/dog-suppleme...probiotic-products-c-5_172/avipro-plus-p-1225

Until my Rabbit started having Avipro he struggled to maintain his weight. Now he is doing really well in that respect.

Hopefully you will be able to find a diet that suits your Rabbit's 'delicate' GI tract and also meets his nutritional needs.
 
That is great, thank you!
I will pop to my vets after I finish work tomorrow and ask for a bit of advice and set up an appointment. Then pick up some grass readigrass and whatever they suggest food wise. I'll update you on what they say. :D
I hope that he will be okay! He is such an affectionate little thing and just gets more cheeky each day. He loves to cuddle and for the first time since I brought him home chose to go to my husband and sit on his shoulder and groomed his beard! :love:


Let me know how you get on. He looks like an absolute darling from your Avatar :love:

As I mentioned in my first post to you, it may be that the vet will prescribe a probiotic. The one I recommended, Avipro, is also a prebiotic - which is very helpful for gut bacteria.

Sometimes it can be much cheaper to get this sort of thing online :D
 
It's very unlikely that your Rabbit is effected, but one condition I was referring to is called 'Megacolon'

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/RO-Spring-17-Megacolon.pdf

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_diseases/Mega/mega_en.htm

My Rabbit is suspected of having a condition called 'Dysautonomia', for him it effects his GI tract, his brain (he has seizures/absences) and his heart. I think the chances of your Rabbit having this condition are absolutely minimal.

We went through a battery of diagnostics to try to obtain a definitive diagnosis, but Dysautonomia is near on impossible to diagnose in a live Rabbit. For my Rabbit the diagnosis is assumed based on all other possibilities drawing a blank. My Rabbit's GI tract symptoms are managed by keeping him on a pellet free diet, just one pellet of any type will cause him huge problems. He has a variety of hays and forages, dried grass, fresh and dried herbs and some Vegetables, mostly dark leafy greens, carrot tops, kale and occasionally Broccoli.

On the advice of an Exotics Specialist Vet my Rabbit also has a dietary supplement called Avipro Plus. It is a water soluble Prebiotic. Prebiotics are not destroyed by gastric acid (unlike Probiotics) and Prebiotics can aid the absorption of dietary nutrients.

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/dog-suppleme...probiotic-products-c-5_172/avipro-plus-p-1225

Until my Rabbit started having Avipro he struggled to maintain his weight. Now he is doing really well in that respect.

Hopefully you will be able to find a diet that suits your Rabbit's 'delicate' GI tract and also meets his nutritional needs.

The poor thing! I bet it's heartbreaking to see him go through that. I'm glad you was able to find out how to manage it, and keep his weight up. He is a lucky bun to have such a devoted mum!
I am hoping that he has an intolerance asbive read that some rabbits struggle with some of the 'fillers' used in rabbit food. I've got an appointment to see a very rabbit savy vet tomorrow after work so I am hoping she can get to the bottom of the problem (no pun intended haha!) I will ask about the things you mentioned and see what she thinks. :)

Thank you so much for your advice, it's extremely helpful :D
 
Let me know how you get on. He looks like an absolute darling from your Avatar :love:

As I mentioned in my first post to you, it may be that the vet will prescribe a probiotic. The one I recommended, Avipro, is also a prebiotic - which is very helpful for gut bacteria.

Sometimes it can be much cheaper to get this sort of thing online :D

He is such a dear little thing bless him, He has an appointment tomorrow at 5.30 so I will let you know how he gets on.
Thank you again!
 
Hello everyone!
Sorry for the late reply yesterday was very busy. Hoggle was such a good boy at the vet yesterday, where he had a usual health check (everything was perfect) she said his stomach felt fine and that he should be able to survive on the hay I was providing alone, so procribed Fiberplex twice a day for a 2 days then try a different nugget but only give a few so if he reacts it won't be too bad. She said she usually recommends the one he was already having and to check online for an alternative. I've managed to find a grain and wheat free pellet so I'll give him a try on that on Friday.
She said to try him on veg with a higher calorie count to put a bit of weight back on as he is very bony.
And to keep an eye on him, if his poo goes back to the way it was (I managed to sort it out with the hay and readygrass!!) to come back and see her and she will do further tests.
She said she thinks he may not be okay with an ingredient in the nuggets he was on and due to the reaction his gut has lost the bacteria it needs to work properly.
So I'm keeping my fingers crossed this Fiberplex works and he puts the weight back on, and he is okay with the new pellets!
 
Hello everyone!
Sorry for the late reply yesterday was very busy. Hoggle was such a good boy at the vet yesterday, where he had a usual health check (everything was perfect) she said his stomach felt fine and that he should be able to survive on the hay I was providing alone, so procribed Fiberplex twice a day for a 2 days then try a different nugget but only give a few so if he reacts it won't be too bad. She said she usually recommends the one he was already having and to check online for an alternative. I've managed to find a grain and wheat free pellet so I'll give him a try on that on Friday.
She said to try him on veg with a higher calorie count to put a bit of weight back on as he is very bony.
And to keep an eye on him, if his poo goes back to the way it was (I managed to sort it out with the hay and readygrass!!) to come back and see her and she will do further tests.
She said she thinks he may not be okay with an ingredient in the nuggets he was on and due to the reaction his gut has lost the bacteria it needs to work properly.
So I'm keeping my fingers crossed this Fiberplex works and he puts the weight back on, and he is okay with the new pellets!


Hey, this is good news :wave:

It sounds like you've a good vet there :) And well done you for sourcing another type of pellet :thumb:

I agree with your vet - proliferating the good bacteria is essential. As I mentioned in my first post, Avipro is a good probiotic:

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/dog-suppleme...probiotic-products-c-5_172/avipro-plus-p-1225

You can also use Bio Lapis, which some people have found to be a superior product, though it's a bit more expensive:

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Protexin_B...MIzrCPk5-i1gIV6LDtCh0BcAoIEAAYASAAEgJUxvD_BwE

But then it is made for rabbits :D


What veg will you be trying? You have to balance it against the effect on 'output'. You could also try adding in a pinch of dry porridge oats twice daily to keep his appetite up :)
 
Hey, this is good news :wave:

It sounds like you've a good vet there :) And well done you for sourcing another type of pellet :thumb:

I agree with your vet - proliferating the good bacteria is essential. As I mentioned in my first post, Avipro is a good probiotic:

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/dog-suppleme...probiotic-products-c-5_172/avipro-plus-p-1225

You can also use Bio Lapis, which some people have found to be a superior product, though it's a bit more expensive:

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Protexin_B...MIzrCPk5-i1gIV6LDtCh0BcAoIEAAYASAAEgJUxvD_BwE

But then it is made for rabbits :D


What veg will you be trying? You have to balance it against the effect on 'output'. You could also try adding in a pinch of dry porridge oats twice daily to keep his appetite up :)

I was so relieved she didn't think he had something terrible, I've not long got in from work and he has left lots of nesquik in
His litter tray for me :lol:
The pellets are new from select and are in pets at home for an introductory price of £4.50 for 1.5kg bag... it didn't say the full price but I expect it will be expensive... as all special dietary food is, hopefully he will be okay on them, if not it will mean a pellet free diet with me supplementing any probiotics and minerals he needs, but I'll speak with the vet before I get to that stage :)
At the moment he has 3 dark lettuce types and rocket, fine beans, peas and baby corn, he doesn't like carrots or the tops, and he doesn't like kale. First rabbit I've ever had that didn't like them! I'm going to try him on some mixed herbs, and will see if I can get hold of some clovers (may grow some in a pot) I'll try him with some parsnip too as that's quite high in calories.... just have to do it gradually to avoid another bout of the dreaded 'poopy butt'
Oats make them hungry?! Wow I'll keep that in mind if his appetite seems to reduce, I live across the road from Tesco so can easily run over and get some.
Thank you for the link, I'll bookmark them just in case :D
 
I was so relieved she didn't think he had something terrible, I've not long got in from work and he has left lots of nesquik in
His litter tray for me :lol:
The pellets are new from select and are in pets at home for an introductory price of £4.50 for 1.5kg bag... it didn't say the full price but I expect it will be expensive... as all special dietary food is, hopefully he will be okay on them, if not it will mean a pellet free diet with me supplementing any probiotics and minerals he needs, but I'll speak with the vet before I get to that stage :)
At the moment he has 3 dark lettuce types and rocket, fine beans, peas and baby corn, he doesn't like carrots or the tops, and he doesn't like kale. First rabbit I've ever had that didn't like them! I'm going to try him on some mixed herbs, and will see if I can get hold of some clovers (may grow some in a pot) I'll try him with some parsnip too as that's quite high in calories.... just have to do it gradually to avoid another bout of the dreaded 'poopy butt'
Oats make them hungry?! Wow I'll keep that in mind if his appetite seems to reduce, I live across the road from Tesco so can easily run over and get some.
Thank you for the link, I'll bookmark them just in case :D


You're welcome :D

:lol: at the Nesquick!

Parsnip as you say is quite high in calories. I was looking at a couple of sites, as you mentioned peas ...

http://rabbit.org/suggested-vegetables-and-fruits-for-a-rabbit-diet/

http://www.therabbithouse.com/diet/rabbit-plants-vegetables-fruits.asp

Mixed herbs usually go down very well. Trouble is though, they don't usually last very long! :D
 
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