Poo Glorious Poo
Poo is an important part of digestion within rabbits, and the observation of this provides evidence of a functioning gut, with healthy rabbits producing 300+ poos a day! But faeces in rabbits is not only waste. It can provide us with knowledge of health, welfare and digestion into a truly complex animal.
There are many different types of faeces to look out for in rabbits. These can be the first hand, tell tail signs something is wrong with your rabbits health.
There are many different types of faeces to look out for in rabbits. These can be the first hand, tell tail signs something is wrong with your rabbits health.
HEALTHY FAECES
Healthy faeces in rabbits tends to be golden in colour, spherical, stable and fibrous. You should be able to roll these in your hand and they flake apart, revealing a make up of dry grass and hay. In some ways this will resemble sawdust.
Sometimes this faeces can vary in colour due to their diet make up. Darker, wetter faeces may mean that your rabbit is getting too much protein in their diet. Rich Hays such as readigrass and orchard grass can cause this. A quick amendment to this is to change their hays to low protein alternatives such as timothy and oat hay.
Healthy faeces in rabbits tends to be golden in colour, spherical, stable and fibrous. You should be able to roll these in your hand and they flake apart, revealing a make up of dry grass and hay. In some ways this will resemble sawdust.
Sometimes this faeces can vary in colour due to their diet make up. Darker, wetter faeces may mean that your rabbit is getting too much protein in their diet. Rich Hays such as readigrass and orchard grass can cause this. A quick amendment to this is to change their hays to low protein alternatives such as timothy and oat hay.
CECETROPHES
Cecetrophes are bundles of small, wet, smelly faeces that rabbits have to redigest to absorb the important nutrients. These are generally eaten straight from the anus, and provide essential protein and vitamins that have not been digested the first time around.
Sometimes these will be visible in your rabbits accomodation, which is usually a sign that your rabbit is getting too much protein and sugar in their diet, meaning ingestion of these will exceed their requirements. Brachiosephalic breeds such as lops and dwarfs with flatter faces are more prone to this due to not being able to reach their anus to eat them.
Cecetrophes are bundles of small, wet, smelly faeces that rabbits have to redigest to absorb the important nutrients. These are generally eaten straight from the anus, and provide essential protein and vitamins that have not been digested the first time around.
Sometimes these will be visible in your rabbits accomodation, which is usually a sign that your rabbit is getting too much protein and sugar in their diet, meaning ingestion of these will exceed their requirements. Brachiosephalic breeds such as lops and dwarfs with flatter faces are more prone to this due to not being able to reach their anus to eat them.
CECAL DYABIOSIS
Cecal dyabiosis is when a rabbits faeces is not form properly and are smelly and dough-like in texture. This is generally caused by stress, illness or an incorrect diet high in sugar and starch. A simple amendment is to assess the rabbits diet and make necessary changes.
Cecal dyabiosis is when a rabbits faeces is not form properly and are smelly and dough-like in texture. This is generally caused by stress, illness or an incorrect diet high in sugar and starch. A simple amendment is to assess the rabbits diet and make necessary changes.
DIARRHOEA
True diarrhoea in rabbits is very rare, and is usually confused with cecetrophes. If true diarrhoea is seen, it is a severe cause for alarm. Causes of this can be deadly parasites and exposure to poison, and both in turn can lead to severe dehydration and death. If you see true diarrhoea your rabbit needs to see a veterinarian straight away.
True diarrhoea in rabbits is very rare, and is usually confused with cecetrophes. If true diarrhoea is seen, it is a severe cause for alarm. Causes of this can be deadly parasites and exposure to poison, and both in turn can lead to severe dehydration and death. If you see true diarrhoea your rabbit needs to see a veterinarian straight away.
FAECES CONNECTED BY HAIR
Sometimes you will see faeces connected by hair, usually from ingestion of shedded fur when grooming. If this is seen occassionally, and at periods of heavy shed, this can be monitored. However if this is a frequent occurrence, it could be due to dehydration and insufficient fluid in the gut. In most cases, regularly brushing and increased fluids can amend this issue, but it is always worth getting a faecal sample, and your rabbit, seen by a veterinarian.
Sometimes you will see faeces connected by hair, usually from ingestion of shedded fur when grooming. If this is seen occassionally, and at periods of heavy shed, this can be monitored. However if this is a frequent occurrence, it could be due to dehydration and insufficient fluid in the gut. In most cases, regularly brushing and increased fluids can amend this issue, but it is always worth getting a faecal sample, and your rabbit, seen by a veterinarian.
EGG SHAPED FAECES
Large, egg shaped faeces can be a sign of megacolon disease which is the inflammation of the intestines, which in rabbits can lead to a shut down in the gut. This is relatively rare in rabbits and is usually a genetic condition. If you suspect your rabbit has megacolon, take your rabbit and a faecal sample to the vets. Megacolon disease is a manageable condition, but it is important to recognise it early, as if the appropriate treatment is not given, rabbits can go into gastrointestinal stasis due to the shut down of the gut.
Large, egg shaped faeces can be a sign of megacolon disease which is the inflammation of the intestines, which in rabbits can lead to a shut down in the gut. This is relatively rare in rabbits and is usually a genetic condition. If you suspect your rabbit has megacolon, take your rabbit and a faecal sample to the vets. Megacolon disease is a manageable condition, but it is important to recognise it early, as if the appropriate treatment is not given, rabbits can go into gastrointestinal stasis due to the shut down of the gut.
SMALL FAECES (when you need to worry)
Small, round, dark faeces can be caused by several factors. Stress, pain and gastrointestinal stasis can all cause smaller faeces, so it is important to seek veterinary advice if you see this.
If faeces is small and misshapen it may mean your rabbit isn't ingesting enough fibre. The most common cause of this is dental pain, so it is important you get your rabbits teeth checked regularly.
Small, round, dark faeces can be caused by several factors. Stress, pain and gastrointestinal stasis can all cause smaller faeces, so it is important to seek veterinary advice if you see this.
If faeces is small and misshapen it may mean your rabbit isn't ingesting enough fibre. The most common cause of this is dental pain, so it is important you get your rabbits teeth checked regularly.
MUCUS COVERED FAECES
Mucus covered faeces is usually a side affect of medicines, however can also be caused by an irritation of the intestinal lining. Rabbits who are recovering from gastrointestinal stasis commonly display this as the gut starts working again.
Mucus within a rabbits faeces can be a sign of a parasite or severe conditions such as faecal impaction. If you see thick mucus in your rabbits faeces it is important to take your rabbit and a faecal sample to the vets as soon as possible.
Mucus covered faeces is usually a side affect of medicines, however can also be caused by an irritation of the intestinal lining. Rabbits who are recovering from gastrointestinal stasis commonly display this as the gut starts working again.
Mucus within a rabbits faeces can be a sign of a parasite or severe conditions such as faecal impaction. If you see thick mucus in your rabbits faeces it is important to take your rabbit and a faecal sample to the vets as soon as possible.
As you can see it is important to monitor your rabbits faeces. Analysing faeces can give owners insight into conditions their rabbits may have, or the need for a potential change in diet. It is always important to see a veterinarian if their is any change in your rabbits faeces, and always remember to take a sample with you.