Mushy, soft poo?

[MyBoyHarper]

I went to clean Thumper's cage and litterbox tonight and noticed a horrendous smell. Horrendous doesn't describe it.It was almost unbearable and I had to take 3 breaks from the room before I finally finished. He has mushy, soft poo. It's not cecals,because his entire litter box, all his poops, are squishy, mushy soft poo. It looked like...refried beans in a can. Sorry for the visual.

Anyways, I highly doubt he's sick. He's very active (for him, anyways)and has a huge appetite and drinks tons and tons of water. His tummy feelsfine too, not bloated or tight.

But his poops almost looked like diarrhea. And the smell, I have never smelled something like this in my life. It was just unbearable and I couldn't hardly stand it. I mean, you would've had to been there!:shock:

Anyways, any ideas as to why he's got the mushy poopies, and how I can harden them up? Also, why the heck is it smelling so bad, and what can I do to get rid of the odor?

For reference sake, he's on the same food he came with (new bag, of course), nothing new at all. I haven't introduced vegetables to him yet, and he's the only one I haven't added vanilla to his water. Sodiet wise, everything's the same. No addition of any sugary treats either.

 

[MyBoyHarper]

*Sneeze*

 

[TinysMom]

The odor makes me worried about cocidia as I've heard it has a very distinctive smell you'll always remember. But I've never experiened it.

Start giving him canned pumpkin to firm him up...also oatmeal works well (just grab some out of the oatmeal container - uncooked) and hay helps too.

Peg

 

[Haley]

I dont know much about this, but when Max had runny poo a while back I gave him some pumpkin, banana and oats (along with his hay and pellets) and he was fine th next day.

I would try the oats first since hes not on veggies or fruit yet. And some pedialyte if you have it bc he's probably needing some rehydrating after all that runny poo.

 

[MyBoyHarper]

Thanks guys, I'll try the oats first thing today. I'll also add in some other types of hay I have besides timothy,such as brome and oat. Maybe with a variety he'll eat even more. I also have some canned pumpkin I was using for Harper, so I'll give him some of that as well.

Peg, with coiccidia (sp?), don't they usually have other symptoms as well? I'm not sure, asI've never experienced a rabbit (mineor at the rescue) with it.

 

[TinysMom]

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=11935&forum_id=10

That has great information on diaherrea...

And here:


Coccidiosis:
Probably the most common problem. We often think of coccidiosis as one condition, however, there are a number of different organisms belonging to the protozoa family which causes this disease. The most common is Eimeria Steidae which effects the liver primarily. There are an other ten different protozoa that affect only the intestinal tract. These organisms are spread by way of feces (contaminated feed and water) and seem to be the most severe in young rabbits. Rabbits with coccidiosis become dirty. There is a pasting of the anal area with feces, the belly becomes enlarged and there seems to be a tendency for the effected animal to crave water. It is generally believed that the soft "night feces" does not contain infectious organisms.
Stunting and occasional death will occur particularly in the young ifthe disease isn't checked. A number of different medications have been used to treat coccidios is. Sulfa based drugs are widely used.Medications don't kill the organism but rather reduce the level of infection so that the animals own defense system can overcome the infection and develop a resistance or immunity to the disease. Once an animal has had coccidiosis and survives, it is immune the disease for life.

from:

http://www.islandgems.net/diarrhea.html

I have a breeder friend who has been fighting it the last few weeks....she's had to use prescription drugs as it was that bad....although some breeder will use Corrid or Sul Met as preventitive medication.

The reason I suspect the coci is the odor you are talking about.Every time I've heard someone mention it - the odor is the biggest thing they mention.

Peg

 

[Haley]

How is Thumper doing? Are his poops still the same??

 

[HoneyPot]

Charlie had coccidiosis when I first got him,and yes - stinky stink poo - I remember it well - he didit all over Misty's room. Like ALL over. I know exactly what you're talking about with the smell. It hit meas I was walking up the stairs and I thought I died and went to rabbit poo hell.

Oats. A small handful hardens them right up. Used that trick a couple times with Charlie as he was getting used to new food.

If Thumper got diarreah out of the blue though - I would definately think about going to the vet. Might be Coccidia, and they can go downhill fast from the dehydration. Also, if it's coccidiosis - there is a lot ofdisinfectant and cleaningin your future.

Charlie and Misty were both treated with Sulfatrim when he had it.

:?

Keep us updated. *nose rubs* to Thumper.

__________
Nadia

 

[MyBoyHarper]

Oh my, I didn't even notice the replies. Sorry guys!!

Thumper's poo is doing much better with added different types of hay.It's still stinky, but definitely harder, which is a relief. His attitude and demeanor are all the same, and his appetite is great. So I think it may have just been a digestive upset.