Rabbit Diarrhea or Bloating? Warning Signs You Need to Know!

Is your beloved bunny feeling unwell? Diarrhea and bloating are common health issues in rabbits that, if left untreated, can lead to serious complications. If you notice these symptoms in your rabbit, it’s crucial to take them to a veterinary hospital specializing in exotic pets for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Why Do Rabbits Experience Diarrhea or Bloating?
Several factors can cause diarrhea or bloating in rabbits, such as:
1. Diet: Inappropriate food, excessive starchy or sugary foods, low-fiber diets, sudden dietary changes, or contaminated food.
2. Stress: Environmental changes, moving to a new home, the presence of other pets, loud noises, feeling unsafe, or illnesses can trigger stress. Stress hormones slow down gut motility, leading to bloating.
3. Infections: Caused by protozoa, bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
4. Gut Microbiome Imbalance: Often due to improper diets or infections.
5. Hairball Obstruction: Rabbits groom themselves frequently, which can lead to hairball blockages in their digestive system.

Signs Your Rabbit May Be Sick
- Diarrhea: Loose stools or mucus in the feces.
Smaller or Uneven Fecal Pellets: This indicates slowed or irregular gut motility.
- No Feces: A healthy rabbit should pass stools consistently throughout the day.
- Loss of Appetite: Rabbits typically eat continuously throughout the day.
- Not Eating Cecotropes: Cecotropes are nutrient-rich droppings that rabbits normally re-ingest. Not eating them could indicate gastrointestinal infections, stress, or obesity that prevents them from reaching the cecotropes.
- Abdominal Pain: Rabbits may tense up, grind their teeth, and show discomfort when touched on the stomach.
- Lethargy: Lack of energy, refusal to eat, and drooling.
- Bloating: A swollen, enlarged abdomen.
- Overgrown Front Teeth: Rabbits' teeth grow continuously. A diet low in hay can cause overgrown teeth, leading to bloating or feeding difficulties.

Treatment
The treatment for diarrhea or bloating in rabbits depends on the underlying cause. A veterinarian may perform blood tests, stool analysis, or X-rays to determine the cause and provide appropriate care, such as:
- Dietary Adjustments: Focus on a high-fiber diet, primarily hay.
- Medications: Antibiotics, antacids, pain relievers, or gut motility stimulants.
- Fluid Therapy: To address dehydration.
- Surgery: In cases of intestinal blockages.
- Dental Care: Trimming or filing overgrown teeth.

Prevention
- Provide a Proper Diet: Rabbits should primarily eat hay (80%), with pellets (15%) and treats or small fruit portions (5%) as supplements.
- Clean Drinking Water: Ensure fresh, clean water daily. Rabbits need about 100–150 ml of water per kilogram of body weight.
- Maintain Clean Living Conditions: Regularly clean the cage and equipment. Use a foot mat to distribute weight and prevent pododermatitis.
- Annual Health Check-ups: Routine health check-ups can detect early-stage diseases and prevent them from worsening.

If you observe unusual symptoms in your rabbit, bring them to a veterinary hospital specializing in exotic pets for accurate and timely treatment.