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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A bunny hates probiotic from vet

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    • hugabun
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        Brandy has had poopybutt issues since I got her almost 3 years ago. She is bonded with her hubby, Bandit (Bandit and Brandy McBunny). Consequently, Bandit has to get included in whatever experimenting I try. She’s a lop mix and seems to have a more sensitive system than Bandit….and she LOVES food. Oddly, she’s also very picky. When I spread the probiotic powder on their greens, nothing was eaten. I tried mushing it in banana, but I think Bandit ate most of it. (She’s not big on mush.) I think she’s been getting a little, because her butt’s been clean since last Friday. (That’s a record for her!) For the past few days, I’ve been spreading it on thin pieces of apple. Brandy does actually smell it and turn away at first. She picks at it more when Bandit eats it. (She prides herself on stealing his food.) I’ll try and use up the batch for which I spent a lot of money from the vet. My question is, can anyone recommend probiotics for picky eaters? (I don’t want to keep giving fruit…as we all struggle with keeping off the extra pounds in my house.) Oh and FYI- I’ve already spent a lot of time (when I fist got her) working with an HRS person to try and solve the poopybutt issue. Nothing worked…until now. So, I’m totally willing to stay with the probiotics as long as I can find something she’ll willingly eat. Thanks for anyone who can help!


      • longhairmike
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          why would a vet give a bunny probiotic powder,,

          get the benebac gel,, they will practically bite your finger off trying to eat it cause its so yummy.

          http://www.amazon.com/Bene-Bac%C2%AE-Pet-Gel-15g-syringe/dp/B000661CX2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316050822&sr=8-1


        • Tate
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            Probiotics seemed to have worked wonders for my rabbits! What kind are you using? I agree with LongHairMike, bene-bac is awesome. It comes in both a gel and a powder. I actually used the powder and mixed it with warm water and gave it to both of my buns- for whatever reason, they liked it that way instead of mixed with cold water…
            American Pet Diner also makes a probiotic supplement. Theirs is in either powder or pelleted form. I’m using the pellets for both my rabbits. They really really like it. It did take some time for them to get used to it, but now they eat that first when I mix it in with their regular pellets. It’s kinda expensive- $16 for 12 ounces. So if your rabbits don’t like it, it’s a bummer. The bene-bac is cheaper so it’s not so painful when they refuse it. Lol.


          • MimzMum
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              Actually a bun with poopybutt issues will be very sensitive to sugars, so fruit is not a good idea… I had to even remove greens from my mini-rex’s diet and only give timothy hay and water for 8 weeks to clear him up. The benebac gel is a good idea and it has that nice premeasured dosing slide to boot.
              My bunnies are too smart for the powder too.


            • Sarita
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                I recommend Benebac as well – easy to get.

                My vet gave me a new one as well that comes in a paste form like Benebac and a powder – it’s called Proviable RB (the RB stands for rabbit – it’s formulated especially for them).

                There is also the APD Critter Be Better that Tate mentions that comes in a pelleted form – worth trying this as well.

                So there are plenty of options other than the powder.

                Has your rabbit done a fecal float or sent the fecal out for testing?


              • hugabun
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                  Thanks everyone for the help. I do like my vet very much. This time a took a bit of a risk and let my buns see the newer Dr. on staff. I’m pretty sure she’s not had a pet bun. I know their regular Dr. has. I’ll try the paste first. How do you normally administer it? Food? I did almost resort to the hay only diet. I kept hoping I wouldn’t have to…it would be such torcher for her. Now they’re bonded, and Bandit would have to suffer, too. So, just made butt-checking part of my routine. I haven’t had a fecal test…I never knew what it was until I read about it here. I am tempted by the Critter Be Better. I’m thinking Brandy might turn up her nose at the paste. She already doesn’t like the powder. I really don’t want to give her the apple, because of her sensitive system as well as a tiny weight problem. She just won’t take the powder any other way. So, after this batch, I’ll try one of the other options you guys mentioned. Thanks for all the suggestions. I know the next time I’ll stick with their regular Dr.


                • Sarita
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                    If you get the gel form – the amount is very minimal. I don’t know how she is about being held – probably hates it like most rabbits…but I usually just have to hold my rabbit and administer it in their mouth like any oral medication…yes, it’s not ideal, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. You may be surprised that she actually doesn’t mind the gel form.


                  • Sarita
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                      I guess I should mention the gel ones come in a tube like contraption and you dose it that way so that’s why it’s easiest to just administer it like an oral liquid medication straight from the tube it comes in. Don’t try putting it in another syringe or doing anything too fancy like that, you’ll be doing more work than you need to.


                    • longhairmike
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                        i USED to think you needed to hold them or put it on a treat in order to get them to eat benebac gel, but apparently it tastes really good and my buns would eat the whole syringe in one sitting if they could.


                      • hugabun
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                          Does one syringe of the Benebac equal a dose? How much do you guys buy at a time, and how much do you administer? I’m just trying to decide whether to purchase from Amazon or purchase the 3-pack from Petsmart.
                          I’m guessing for Brandy I’d have hold her to administer it…just because she usually turns up her nose at anything mushy, but I’ll try and get her to taste it first. She fights every step of the way when I have to hold her, but she’s had to deal with me cleaning her butt daily. (I do try and reward her with a bunny message just for being such a trouper!)


                        • Sarita
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                            No, the syringe is quite a few doses – each twist is one dose. Usually they recommend one twist a day – I think it might equal an ml. Which packaging are you looking at? You want the tube one not the little squrity tube things.


                          • hugabun
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                              Is this product the same?

                              http://www.petmountain.com/show_product/11442-522788

                              Sarita, what type of bunny is your picture?


                            • Sarita
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                                Yes, but get this packaging:

                                http://www.petmountain.com/product/dog-med…t-gel.html

                                It’s easier to dose and administer – you twist the stopper thing to the top and then twist it down each dose and it’s so easy.


                              • Sarita
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                                  The bunny in my picture is a Netherland, I think. He was a rescue that was dumped at a guinea pig rescue because he wasn’t eating – I’m pretty sure he’s a netherland because he has the big eyes, little ears, and small size (he’s about 1 1/2 pounds). It was funny, because when I saw him he was in with the guinea pigs waiting to be hand fed and he was smaller than they were – he was much skinnier then too due to not eating.


                                • hugabun
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                                    Aww! The poor guy! I’m glad he’s in a better place. It’s difficult to tell from the picture, but he kinda reminds me of my bunny, Brandy. But, she’s not struggling with being under weight. She’s a 4.5 lb, dwarf-lop mix. She’s various shades of brown. Reading about some of these stories, I so wish I could take more bunnies. Thanks again for all of your help. I’m really glad I found this forum.


                                  • Dee
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                                      I would definitely try Benebac! I’ve had the same problem with my poopy butt prone bunny not liking probiotics. He hated Critical Care, and just like Brandi, he could sniff it out if I put it on anything. BunBun’s wife, Nelli, has a stomach of iron so she doesn’t need probiotics, but she would gobble down all the Critical Care concoctions I came up with.
                                      Finally I tried Benebac in the tube- I just squeezed it on the back of a spoon and offered it to BunBun, sure that he would reject it. To my amazement, he licked it all off and begged for more. And strangely enough, Nelli, who usually eats everything, doesn’t like Benebac! Rabbits are such funny little characters.
                                      Like Mimzmum, I had to put BunBun on a hay only diet for a little while. I felt awful, especially for depriving Nelli, but there was no way I could sneak her treats and deny Bun. However, it was really worth it to finally get to the bottom of things with Bun (no pun intended :p ). Turns out he gets poopy butt from granola, fresh fruit, dandelion greens, cilantro, red Swiss Chard, kale and collard greens. Also, a timothy hay by Sweet Meadow Farms upsets his tummy too- it has too many leaves in it sometimes. Now that I avoid alll those foods, he hardly ever gets poopy butt. I don’t give him Benebac anymore, except as an occasional treat, but I do think that helped his stomach settle down.
                                      Good luck !


                                    • hugabun
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                                        Thanks Dee. I already ordered it. I have been giving her the probiotic from the vet. (It was almost $20…so I have to!) Brandy has been a lot better. Unfortunately, I have to give it to her on apple pieces. You’d think I’m defeating the purpose, but her butt’s been so much better. Even if I were to keep them on a hay only diet for awhile (and they already act like I’m starving them if they don’t get their greens by mid-morning…fresh greens I should say…because their overnight greens would be too old for their liking), there’s not a lot I could change. I only give them romain and parsely…and rainbow exact pellets. I tried different things at different times, and no matter what, it ended with poopybutt (pun intended).  I just can’t resort to the hay fast. My bunny, Bandit, actually comes and begs for his carrot treat when I get home from work. (He’s got an iron stomach, too.) He comes to the kitchen, stands on his hind legs with his head up, ears back and mouth moving in a chewing motion. I’m too weak. I can’t resist. What human can withstand the power of bunny cuteness??!!!


                                      • Tate
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                                          Oooh the pellets may be part of the problem here. Have you thought about changing them?


                                        • Sarita
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                                            Why don’t you just eliminate pellets altogether? That’s what I would suggest. Granola is definitely too high in protein as well.


                                          • Dee
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                                              Lol- Hugabun, I know what you mean about the bunny cuteness- they’re so irresistable and they really do live for their food (come to think of it, so do I!). I can’t go to the counter and get myself anything to eat in peace, because the bunnies charge over and begin this bizarre whirlwind thing around my legs. I can’t even walk- they chase each other in circles around and through my legs at lightning speed until I give them something. And if they’re on the table, it’s horrifying- they have each run to the edge of the table and almost fallen off in their frenzy over their treats. I know that the only way to break them of this is to stop feeding them when they beg- but I can’t do it either . I did stop feeding them granola though- Sarita is right, it’s way too sugary. It was the main reason BunBun was getting poopy butt. I was so dumb- I had stopped all his greens and pellets and still he had poopy butt, but I kept giving him granola, thinking that it was the only treat he could still have. Finally one day I ran out and whaddeya know- Bun’s poopy butt started clearing up! I have no idea why I didn’t figure it out before.
                                              I also had to cut WAY back on the greens too- I was giving them greens on demand throughout the day, then a huge bowl at night. Now that I’ve cut back to only 2 cups per bunny per day, they eat much more hay and drink water too. I learned on here that a rabbit’s diet should be 90% hay! Now I understand why- even though the bunnies might now appreciate it, it really helps keep them balanced and healthy.
                                              I’m glad Brandy has been better! I know what you mean about not wanting to do the completely hay only diet- it does feel like bunny torture. And you have their diet narrowed down to only a few things. I felt the same way as you- it seemed that I’d tried everything and still the poop problems persisted.
                                              As Tate and Sarita mentioned, maybe the pellets are the issue. If Brandy’s still not completely cleared up, you could try cutting the pellets for a couple days to see what happens. BunBun couldn’t have more than a teaspoon for a long time. It really is tricky to manage a diet for a bunny with a delicate tummy- but it sounds like you’re making major progress . Hopefully soon your days of bunny butt baths and those nice brown smears of poo everywhere will be history!


                                            • hugabun
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                                                The answer to the elimating pellet issue is simply I’m not strong enough. Brandy actually does a “happy-hop” dance as she anticipates greens and pellets. She doesn’t do that any other time. (She just doesn’t hop for anything. She has her price.) I have lessened it a bit: less than an 1/8th cup. When I first got her, they were getting regular green pellets (can’t remember which brand). After a lot of testing with my HRS friend, I started using a MUCH more expensive Kaytee Rainbow Exact brand. That did help. I never went back to the cheaper version. (Each 4lb bag is over $10…cheaper through Rabbit Stop but shipping adds.) I never gave granola…won’t start now. But I have been pretty liberal with their greens…very similar to you, Dee. They just stop eating whatever is not fresh enough to their liking…and of course they leave the non-leafy romaine ridges. (They don’t realize there are starving buns in China that don’t have anything.) I still haven’t gotten my Bene-bac order…hope to get it soon.


                                              • Sarita
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                                                  LOL – yeah, those happy dances are hard to come by :~) I agree, don’t use granola, that won’t help at all.

                                                  I thought they weren’t making the Rainbow Pellets anymore…I help in a store at a local guinea pig rescuer and she tried to order those for me from the local distributor (awhile back when I had a rabbit I fed those to) and they told her they were discontinuing them.


                                                • hugabun
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                                                    Probiotic update…
                                                    Thanks so much everyone for guiding me to the Benebac. So, I just rec’d it this morning. Just as I thought, Brandy wouldn’t take it unless administered against her will (and she is very strong-willed!). My boy, Bandit, licked it right from the plastic…he just doesn’t need it.
                                                    So, the directions say to give a dose once every 3 days. Is that what you guys follow? Thanks again for all the help!


                                                  • Sarita
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                                                      I usually did it daily when I did it.


                                                    • hugabun
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                                                        Hmm…I know I should’ve ordered more, but I wanted to see what it was like first. Maybe I’ll try once every couple of days and see how that works. Her butt definitely hasn’t been as smudgy (since I started the powder version), and I can tell she’s appreciated not having to clean her butt. I just had to take off some minor smudges this morning, and she fought like anything. (It’s been awhile since I’ve had to…she totally didn’t like having to deal with it again…neither did I!) Sarita, in answer to your Rainbow Exact question, they definitely still make it. I just check the web to see where ordering is least expensive. I’ve ordered from Rabbitstop, Petsmart (during a sale) and Amazon…never a problem finding it. It’s just a question of how much!


                                                      • Sarita
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                                                          I checked too and I think they must have repackaged it and took it off the market for just a bit during that time or at least when I wanted to get it from the piggy store. The only problem with this formula is that it is alfalfa instead of timothy based. I used it for my rabbit Pepe who had severe dental problems hoping that that because they were extruded differently from regular pellets it would help grind his teeth down more…

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                                                      Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A bunny hates probiotic from vet