Rabbit loose stools what to do. The main causes and treatment of diarrhea in rabbits

Diarrhea in a rabbit is manifested by the release of unformed feces (liquid instead of balls). At the same time, the floor of the cage becomes wet, the rabbits themselves are stained with excrement, especially their paws, stomach, and inguinal region. Diarrhea is often accompanied by bloating. Often diarrhea is a sign of a number of infectious and parasitic diseases that are dangerous for other individuals, so it is worthwhile to separate the livestock and treat it in a timely manner.

Causes of liquid stool and bloating

Gastrointestinal pathologies are more common in rabbits than other diseases. Diarrhea can be the result of helminthic invasions, eimeriosis, bacterial, viral infections, feeding disorders and other causes. Knowledge of the etiology of the disease, manifested in the form of diarrhea, is necessary for the choice of specific therapy.

Infectious diseases

Most of the bacteria that can cause diarrhea in a rabbit are obligate inhabitants of the intestine. Normally, these are symbionts involved in the processing of food, but with a decrease in immunity, they can become pathogenic. These are the so-called factor diseases, for the manifestation of which external influence is necessary:

change of feed;
substandard products;
violation of content - cold, high humidity, drafts;
reckless use of medicines;
various stresses (especially in decorative rabbits);
as a secondary infection against the background of invasion, non-contagious pathology.

Diarrhea can develop due to poor chewing of food when infectious stomatitis. it dangerous disease of a viral nature, can occur in any season and quickly cover the entire livestock, especially when crowded. A typical picture for stomatitis is reddening of the oral mucosa with whitish overlays that gradually turn brown. Because of the sores, eating becomes painful - perhaps a lack of appetite.

Baby rabbits (1-3 months old) and pregnant females may develop salmonellosis, a bacterial infection also called paratyphoid. The disease is introduced with contaminated feed, rodents, pests, birds. Sick animals look emaciated, they have debilitating diarrhea. If the pathology is covered by pregnant uterus, then mastitis, abortion, endometritis are observed.

Helminths and protozoa

Cysticercosis in rabbits is caused by the larval form of the cestode Cysticercus pisiformus. On the serous abdominal cavity(less commonly pelvic and thoracic), intestines, omentum, a string of blisters 5-20 mm in diameter is formed. In addition to diarrhea, there is a decrease in appetite, rapid exhaustion. The disease is accompanied by mass mortality, especially among young animals.

Non-communicable pathologies

Violations of feeding rabbits, giving low-quality, spoiled products, a sharp change in diet (transition from suckling to coarse) lead to inflammatory changes in the intestinal and stomach mucosa. Animals are not allowed to feed frozen root crops covered with mold, dirt, manure. If you give fresh grass, then it is recommended to dry it first.

In young rabbits, diarrhea is usually observed after weaning, this is due to a sharp change in food (from milk to hay), especially with early weaning.

The change in diets should be gradual - the rabbit should get used to the new food, it should gradually increase its daily dacha. Often the cause is "burnt" grass. If the cut greens are put in a dense pile, then it will “catch fire”, that is, fermentation, anaerobic oxidation will begin in its thickness. Such food will cause indigestion, manifested in rabbits by diarrhea, a swollen abdomen.

Feed toxicoses are observed relatively less frequently. Also, diarrhea develops against the background of dysbacteriosis due to the thoughtless use of antibiotics.

What does diarrhea look like in rabbits - a clinical picture

Normal in rabbits stool shaped like balls. Due to the reasons described above, there is a disruption in the functioning of the intestines, which is why diarrhea in rabbits looks like softened lumps covered with mucus in the initial stage of pathologies. But the problem develops rapidly, and yellow-brown puddles appear with an admixture of food, mucus, and blood.

Sometimes diarrhea in decorative rabbits is confused with urine - urine excreted by males can be of a relatively thick and cloudy type.

If you keep animals on checkered floors, you can overlook the onset of the disease. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to the condition of the wool of rabbits - it will be soiled in the groin area. Also, diarrhea is accompanied by a large loss of fluid in the body - rabbits seem emaciated, the skin loses elasticity (if you collect a fold, then it long time does not resolve). You should examine the eyes - they fell in the orbits.

How to treat diarrhea in a rabbit?

Regardless of the cause, diarrhea should be treated immediately. Accurate identification of the etiology is especially important in the group way of keeping. At first, compensatory therapy is used, since the main cause of death is exhaustion, dehydration and intoxication.

First of all, it is necessary to carry out the maximum purification of toxins. To do this, if possible, gastric lavage is carried out. Next, you need to apply binding agents and eliminating irritation of the mucous membrane - tannin, starch, decoction of oak bark. Coal can be crushed and diluted with water to a state of porridge, decorative rabbits from diarrhea can use smecta.

If the pain reaction is severe, the rabbit should be given carprofen (2-4 mg/kg, subcutaneously) or tramadol (4 mg/kg intramuscularly, twice a day). Rabbits affected by diarrhea should be placed in a warm room (diarrhea is often accompanied by a drop in temperature). Good results are achieved by warming up abdominal wall IR lamps.

Compensatory means

The daily water requirement of a rabbit is 100-120 ml/kg. Since the absorption of fluid by the intestines is impaired and most of it is excreted (the rabbit dies from diarrhea), it is recommended to carry out infusion therapy. To do this, a needle from the system is inserted into the ear vein, or into the lateral subcutaneous vein on the thoracic limb. At home, the drug can be injected subcutaneously into the skin area or other accessible place - more than 20 ml should not be injected at one point. For injection use:

saline;
5% glucose solution;
Ringer's solution;
drug "Duphalite";
hemodez.

Recovery of gastrointestinal function

In case of extreme exhaustion, parenteral feeding is mandatory, but digestion should also be restored as soon as possible. At the beginning of the disease, you can give chopped vegetable and fruit purees. But how to feed rabbits with diarrhea, if they refuse food - you should dilute the puree with water and forcefully drink it.

It is even easier to prevent diarrhea in decorative rabbits - control over them is much better. But here, too, one should not forget about the danger. Do not feed it with spoiled foods - it is better to keep a supply of hay on the balcony than to offer the animal spoiled exotic fruits. Rabbits should not be allowed to run freely around the apartment - they can gnaw on dangerous and inedible objects.

Eared diarrhea is a very disturbing disease. Many livestock breeders do not realize the full danger of what is happening. Because of this, their beloved pets can die. Deaths from diarrhea are a large number of. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately prescribe the correct treatment.

In animals, two types of feces are observed - in a solid and liquid state.

This type of problem is obesity and joint problems. In this case, the animal cannot reach its anus to remove the feces. They are smeared all over the back of the eared skin. In this case, it is necessary to change the diet and urgently begin to treat the animal. You should remove high-calorie and starchy foods. In order for the rabbit to begin to actively move, it is necessary that he lose weight. Only in this case, more movements will be available to him. Mechanical problems can cause arthritis.

Infection

Infection can be the main cause of diarrhea. Bacteria can enter the body of an animal along with saliva, with dirty, poor-quality food. The infection can be introduced along with dirty bedding on which animals sleep. Germs can spread from already sick eared ears. Therefore, if a sick animal is found, healthy animals must be isolated and quarantined.

Hidden reasons

Hidden reasons include stress. It can occur due to a sudden move, a change in environment, fights between males. Often diarrhea is observed in lactating rabbits from whom the cubs were taken. Also, rabbits do not tolerate a change of owner.

Conditions of detention

After the appearance of diarrhea, all unnecessary things must be removed from the animal's dwelling. The cage is disinfected and washed thoroughly. At the bottom it is necessary to lay straw, sawdust or soft natural fabric. Experienced breeders recommend using disposable wipes. Thanks to them, the animal will be protected from feces. Clean straw and drinking water are left in the cage as food. Often, animals experience fever and chills. Sick ears can freeze. Therefore, in the cold season, the cage must be illuminated with a fluorescent lamp. Sometimes electric or rubber heating pads are placed next to the animals.

Differences between diarrhea in young animals and adults

Diarrhea may occur as early age, as well as later. Both adults and young individuals are susceptible to the disease.

What and how to treat

What drugs are used

Approved activated carbon. Dosage - a quarter of a tablet dissolved in boiled water.
Another drug against diarrhea can be considered Linex. Eared ears should be given half a capsule 2 times a day. Thanks to this tool, the intestinal flora will be saturated with the necessary microorganisms. This will lead to the normalization of the body.
In a severe situation, the use of veterinary drugs is necessary. Baytril is perfect. You can buy medicine at pet stores or veterinary clinics. Thanks to the drug, the treatment becomes easier, the disease proceeds calmer. The medicine is injected subcutaneously. It is necessary to make an injection in the withers area. For one kg of rabbit weight, 0.1 ml of medication is used. The dosage should be increased with a greater weight of the animal. Previously, the drug is diluted in 0.5 ml of saline. 0.2 ml of "Baytril" is diluted in 1 ml of saline. Dosage:

1 kg of rabbit weight - 0.1 ml of the drug diluted in 0.5 ml of saline.
2 kg of rabbit weight - 0.2 ml of the drug diluted in 1 ml of saline.
3 kg of rabbit weight - 0.3 ml of the drug diluted in 1.5 ml of saline.
4 kg of rabbit weight - 0.4 ml of the drug diluted in 2 ml of saline.

If a rabbit has no appetite, it is important to understand why this is happening. Many experienced breeders recommend adding glucose to the solution. The sweet taste of the mixture will appeal to the animal much more.

Medicinal herbs

Diarrhea can be treated folk remedies.

Suitable for these purposes Potentilla decoction. Dry grass must be used. Two teaspoons of herbs are poured with boiling water and allowed to infuse for 30 minutes. Before giving the decoction to the pet, the mixture must be cooled to room temperature. brewed medicinal herb poured into the eared mouth by force. The procedure is best done with a spoon or syringe.
Allowed to treat eared chamomile decoction. It is important to brew the mixture so that it has a light emerald hue. A large concentration can harm the animal's body, a smaller one can not give a result. The broth is cooled and given to the animal two teaspoons 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 11-14 days.

What should be done?

First of all, you should understand why and because of what there was a violation of digestion.
It is necessary to examine the animal for the presence of tumors or swellings. If they are found, contact your veterinarian immediately.
If no tumors were found, then the anus of the animal is thoroughly cleaned of feces. You can use warm water and laundry soap. The hole is dried with napkins or a towel. It is necessary to do such a procedure so that the eared one does not lick itself. When an animal swallows its own feces, it unknowingly infects itself again.
The cage in which the animal lives should be thoroughly washed.
A sick rabbit should not be given large doses of fruits and vegetables.
It is recommended to make mixtures of dry herbs.
Drinking water consumption should be increased.
Treatment must be immediate.
After the animal has recovered, it is too early to calm down. At this moment, the eared organism is still too weakened. After an illness, the intestines and stomach may not work well. They are still susceptible to infections and bacteria. Therefore, after the end of the disease for the animal must be carefully.

Preventive measures

Treatment of diarrhea is a complex and difficult process. Therefore, in order to avoid difficulties, it is necessary to carry out prevention.
In order for the eared ones to be healthy and vigorous, it is necessary to carefully monitor their diet. Do not give animals expired and poor-quality food.
Vegetables and fruits should be washed with soap, as they may have a layer of wax or paraffin on them.
Greens and fruits must be fresh, without any defects.
You should limit the consumption of berries and vegetables. It is not recommended to give animals exotic food.
Cages in which animals live should be kept clean. Do not allow the reproduction of infections, microbes, bacteria and viruses.
Ushastik without fail need to do preventive vaccinations.
If one of the pets gets sick, quarantine should be declared. Healthy animals are separated from sick ones. The spread of infection must not be allowed.
It is forbidden to create stressful situations that will negatively affect the health of the pet.
Prevention of diseases should be carried out every 2-3 weeks.
Can be used prophylactic Bycox. The drug can be bought at pet stores or veterinary clinics. In one liter of water, dilute 1 teaspoon of the mixture. The drug is given to animals instead of drinking water. The resulting solution should be changed every 2 days. Thanks to prevention, the treatment of diseases will be more stable.
Rabbits are needed. Infections can cause various diseases.

Other common diseases of the digestive tract

The main disease is constipation. It is divided into two subspecies: infectious and non-infectious. The disease is caused by Clostridium spp. A large amount of gas accumulates in the intestines of the animal. Because of this, the rabbit may suffer from sharp and severe pain. The toxins that viruses cause affect part of the liver. With untimely intervention, the animal may die. The disease can cause:

A sharp change in diet;
Dehydration and weakening of the body;
Lack of essential fiber in food;
Lack or restriction of movement;
stressful situations;
Complication from other diseases

Bloating is the cause of poorly developed muscles. The intestines and stomach of the animal are not able to move food. Food moves only thanks to the newly swallowed food. Because of this, spasms and stagnation of food occur. This can lead to a shutdown of the gastrointestinal system. The reason may be:

Stress;
Long-term transportation to other cities and countries;
Change in diet;
lack of water;
It is necessary to treat such a disease with physiotherapeutic procedures. In this case, animals need enemas, massages, drugs.

See below for how to treat bloating in a rabbit.

Diarrhea is fast liquid stool. This is a serious symptom of the disease, which should not be ignored.

In rabbits, loose stools are deformed, soft, and watery. Those. feces lose their usual, classic shape in the form of peas. The animal begins to defecate even outside its toilet, as it loses the ability to control itself.

What is a normal chair?

Normally, rabbits distinguish between 2 types of excrement: hard and soft stools. The hard one is dense brown peas, and the soft one is the feces of the caecum (caecotrophs), it is also called "night feces". It contains a large amount beneficial vitamins and micronutrients. Caecotrophs resemble bunches of grapes, they smell very unpleasant and are easily smeared. Rabbits eat them, as a complex of vitamins is necessary to maintain normal life. In the context of diarrhea, it is important not to confuse really liquid stools and nocturnal feces - caecatrophs.

Causes of Diarrhea

There can be many reasons for loose stools. But most often diarrhea occurs as a result of stress, bacterial infections, poor nutrition, lack of hay. It can also be a reaction to the early weaning of rabbits from their mother, or allergic reaction for taking medications.

Problems with the gastrointestinal tract occur as a result of food poisoning, as well as after the consumption of stale fruits or vegetables, poor-quality water, old or dirty hay. Also, the cause of diarrhea can be an improper, disordered diet. For example, you should avoid eating foods rich in proteins and fats, with a low fiber content (for example, cereals - wheat, oats). Unbalanced or excessive consumption of fresh vegetables also provokes loose stools. An unlimited amount of fruits (sugar) leads to an imbalance, worsening the well-being of animals. It should be remembered that the development of diarrhea is affected by a rapid change in diet (for example, the rejection of ready-made food) or a change in regimen, so any changes should be introduced gradually.

There are also situations when diarrhea in a rabbit is due to viral infection(rotavirus, hemorrhagic fever, coronavirus, etc.) or bacterial infections ( coli, coccidiosis). As a result of such infections, an imbalance is formed between useful and harmful bacteria. That is why, in order to maintain normal life, it is very important to follow the right diet, to prevent dysbacteriosis, which can be very difficult to correct later.

First aid for diarrhea

The rabbit has diarrhea. What to do?

At the first suspicion of diarrhea it is necessary to pay attention to the type of feces. Unformed liquid feces or watery discharge indicate that the rabbit is unwell. He can become lethargic, inactive. Sometimes animals begin to refuse food, water, in severe cases, they lose weight.

Due to frequent bowel movements, the undertail of the rabbit gets dirty. Dirty wool is cleaned to prevent further self-infection through licking.

First of all, you need to identify what causes diarrhea, because. loose stools in itself are only a symptom, you always need to look for the root cause. If these are errors in nutrition, then you need to correct the diet. A balanced diet is the key to health and good functioning of the entire gastrointestinal tract. intestinal tract.

If the cause of the diarrhea is food poisoning, the rabbit is immediately given ¼ tablet of activated charcoal. Probiotic Linex at the rate of ½ capsule in the morning and evening will help normalize the intestinal flora, saturate it beneficial bacteria. It is best if this drug is always in your home first aid kit. Chamomile or mint tea helps with diarrhea, but not packaged, but bought at a pharmacy. The tea is cooled and served immediately. For the duration of treatment, fruits and vegetables are excluded, the rabbit is fed only hay and special granular grain-free feed in small quantities.

Dehydration during diarrhea is very dangerous, so animals are provided with plenty of drinking water. At the first sign of diarrhea, immediately seek help from a veterinarian who specializes in rabbits. Only he will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment.

Unfortunately, rabbits very often die from the consequences caused by untimely treatment.

It is better to prevent a disease than to treat it. Prevention consists in observing the rules of nutrition. The main prohibitions concern fruits and grains: they are either not given at all or are strictly limited. Provide the rabbit with enough hay, fresh herbs and a timely cleaned tray, then your pet will always be healthy and cheerful!

The case is not very troublesome and quite exciting.

This is true, if you strictly follow certain requirements and recommendations for caring for them.

But if you violate these rules, serious problems may arise related to the health of these fluffy and cute animals.

Often, owners are interested in the question: if a rabbit has diarrhea, then what should I do?

In fact, there are plenty of reasons for such an ailment. If you run or ignore it, then the animal can be lost.

Consider the main and common causes of diarrhea:

Poor quality feed or the presence of spoiled food in the feed.
Wet grass, rotted hay.
An overabundance in the diet of vegetables and fruits.
Stressful situation. Even with a sudden change in food, animals experience stress.
Overweight or other diseases that prevent the animal from carrying out hygiene procedures on its own.
The presence of worms in the intestines.
Unhealthy teeth can cause diarrhea.
infectious diseases.
After treatment with antibiotics etc.

Of course, the main and most common cause is food poisoning caused not fresh. Rabbits are forbidden to give rotted and even with slight traces of rot hay. To prevent this from happening, hay must be completely dried and stored in a ventilated place.

Be sure to keep drinking water. It should also always be fresh and clean.

It is also impossible to give freshly cut grass with dew and generally wet grass should not be given. But the lack of grass or hay causes flabbiness of the intestinal muscles, which does not allow food to pass normally and it lingers in the intestines. This leads to an imbalance of bacteria and disruption of the microflora.

Sugar, starch and a large number of calories contained in vegetables and fruits harm the digestive tract and, accordingly, also contribute to the development of diarrhea.

If the animal suffers from obesity or joint disease, it is not able to reach its organs. Feces are simply smeared on the wool, thereby creating new foci of infections.

Like no other, they are prone to stress, which can cause digestive problems.

Even when changing food, for example, from store-bought to natural, they are stressed.

This also applies to changing the feeding regimen.

It must be remembered that these are very shy animals and even a small fright can cause diarrhea.

Infectious diseases are not uncommon causes of diarrhea, causing an imbalance of beneficial bacteria (dysbacteriosis). Therefore, you need to adhere to a balanced diet, avoiding such an imbalance, since its restoration is associated with great difficulties.

You need to understand that although rabbits are pets, they cannot eat sweets, cookies, etc. And then diarrhea is guaranteed to them.

There are also hidden diseases that can be the cause - these are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract itself. But in any case, by establishing the exact cause and taking timely treatment measures, you can successfully cope with this ailment.

What to do?

If you have diarrhea - what to do, how to treat?

First of all, you need to examine the feces of the animal and its appearance.

Any liquid state of feces or any watery discharge indicates that your pet is not healthy.

Yes, and the rabbit itself becomes lethargic, inactive, refuses water and drink. The anus and the hair around it are often smeared with stool. Then find out the cause of the diarrhea. Loose stools are only a symptom of the disease. You need to find out what caused it.

If the reason is nutrition, then the issue is resolved fairly quickly. It is necessary to review the diet, remove unnecessary or low-quality products from it, and the issue will be resolved.

But if the reason lies not in nutrition, but in something else, then you need to immediately start treatment, saving the animal from dehydration.

Treatment and prevention

Treatment should begin with cleaning and disinfection of the cage or room where the animals are located.

All unnecessary items are removed and only high-quality hay and water are left.

If poisoning is detected, ¼ of the sorbent (activated carbon) should be given.

To eliminate the process of dehydration, if you do not want to drink water, not packaged pharmacy chamomile helps very well.

It is steamed, cooled and given to the rabbit. If he does not want to drink it, then it is necessary to infuse it with a syringe without a needle. good effect also gives a decoction of Potentilla herb.

To restore the intestinal microflora, Linex is used. Half a capsule in the morning and evening will gradually restore the microflora, saturating it with useful and necessary bacteria.

Stronger medications are used to treat diarrhea caused by infections.

Such a disease is treatable with norsulfazole, based on the calculation of 2 mg per kilogram of weight.

With stomatitis, which also causes loose stools, lubricate oral cavity the rabbit is weak percentage solution copper sulphate (usually 2%).

At severe forms disease requires the use of the drug Baytril. Injections are made with an insulin syringe subcutaneously 3 times a day at the withers.

To avoid such problems with the intestines in rabbits, it is easier to take preventive measures than to deal with them for a long time to treat them. There are certain preventive measures for the normal functioning of the digestive tract:

Keep the cage clean and disinfect it in a timely manner.
Observe proper diet nutrition. The pet should always have fresh hay and clean water.
Regularly carry out antihelminthic therapy.
Limit your diet to fruits and vegetables. Or even cut them out of your diet altogether.
Used to improve immunity effective remedy Baycox, using it strictly according to the instructions.
Avoid stressful situations in the animal.

Preventive measures must be carried out in a timely and constant manner to prevent the occurrence of dehydration and death of the pet.

About diarrhea in rabbits - presented in the video:

Rabbits endure any disease quite hard. A caring owner will immediately notice that something is wrong with the pet. Rabbits often pick up various infections, getting rid of which is very difficult. Any infection can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea in rabbits is considered a very serious problem. Most owners have no idea what to do in this case. If it is not treated in time, the rabbits die from dehydration.

Causes of Diarrhea

In a rabbit, diarrhea can occur on the most different reasons. The most common are:

Wrong nutrition.
mechanical problems.
Infections.
Hidden health problems

It is necessary to consider the main reasons in more detail.

Improper nutrition

Diarrhea in rabbits often occurs if its food was made from low quality ingredients containing mold, the toxins of which cause diarrhea. The same situation occurs if you give animals moldy hay. They are strictly forbidden hay, which has even a slight smell of mold.

The rabbit should receive daily fresh hay and grass in unlimited quantities. Their deficiency leads to flabbiness of the intestinal muscles, as a result, the movement of food through the intestines slows down. As a result, feces move very slowly in the caecum, which leads to an imbalance of beneficial bacteria. Thus, a large amount of hay and grass in the rabbit's diet provide healthy intestinal microflora.

Vegetables and fruits in large quantities are contraindicated for these animals. They are high calorie foods. A high concentration of sugar and starch is very harmful to the gastrointestinal tract of rabbits, which leads to diarrhea.

Rapid changes in food or regimen often cause diarrhea, so any changes are introduced gradually.

Mechanical problems

If the rabbit suffers from obesity, then as a result of this, the animal simply cannot reach its anus to clean it. An imbalance in the intestines leads to diarrhea. Reduce the amount of high-calorie food and give more hay and grass. During this time, you need to make sure that caecotrophs did not stick to the back of the body.

The rabbit may suffer from joint disease, which also prevents him from cleaning his anus. Arthritis is usually diagnosed by a veterinarian who prescribes appropriate treatment.

infections

Diarrhea in rabbits is often caused by a viral infection, such as rotavirus, coronavirus, hemorrhagic fever. A bacterial infection (coccidiosis, E. coli) can also provoke diarrhea. These infections disrupt balance between harmful and beneficial bacteria. Therefore, it is very important to ensure that the nutrition of rabbits is correct, avoiding dysbacteriosis, which is very difficult to cure.

Hidden health problems

Rabbits can develop diseases that slow down bowel movements which leads to diarrhea.

The following reasons can slow down the work of the intestine:

Diseases of the urinary tract.
Torticollis.
dental problems.
Upper respiratory tract infections.

In addition, diarrhea in this animal may occur due to the presence of worms, which help soften the feces.

Treatment

If the rabbit has diarrhea, it is necessary to study appearance feces. If it is very thin or watery, this is a sign that the animal is sick. The rabbit becomes lethargic and begins to move little. May refuse to eat or drink, sometimes losing weight. Diarrhea is highly polluting anus animal. It must be cleaned so that the rabbit does not get drunk on harmful feces.