Hi all! Looking for some help with bunny stomach problems.
I have a single female rex, spayed, around 1.5 yo. She’s not obese and is fed a decent diet: around 1/3 cup plain timothy-based pellets, grass hay (she eats less than she should, but it’s something), and water. However, she seems to have a very sensitive tummy and I’ve been having a problem with mushy droppings.
It’s not regular but it happens fairly frequently – sometimes once a week, sometimes once or twice a month. I don’t know if other rabbits have it this frequently but it seems like it happens too often. I’m not sure if they’re cecal or fecal pellets but they’re rarely in her litter box; I tend to find them in places she’s been sitting and they’re just smushed and messy so I can’t tell what they looked like. The problem is this is she’s a climber and loves to sit on chairs/carpets/couches…and it’s getting super messy.
I don’t know what’s causing it, as there are no other problems and she’s had this quirk as long as I can remember. However, there are triggers and too many vegetables is one of them. Feeding more than a small portion can cause problems, as can feeding vegetables every day. At the moment, she’s getting way less than the recommended amount. Is it possible some bunnies just can’t handle vegetables and is it healthy to cut back that much? There have also been a few times she’s found a cookie or something and that’s caused it, but there are also plenty of other times that are a mystery.
I’ve found a bit of oats can help clear it up, and I’ve been giving her the Oxbow Digestive Support Tabs and Papaya Tablets daily – since I’ve started she’s definitely gotten better. But it still happens, and I’d really like to know if there’s anything else I can try and what’s going on! I want to ensure she’s healthy, though she seems otherwise fine when it happens, and to be honest the mess is also just really icky and I’m worried about the furniture (is that bad to admit??). I’m not in a position to now, but I’d also like to get her a friend at some point in the future and I really want to clear this up (if possible!) first.
As it’s quite irregular and she has no other symptoms, and she’s been like this for so long, I don’t think it’s anything medical. However, I’ve read that rexes can have sensitive stomachs – is it possible it’s just her?
Also, don’t know if anyone knows about this, but I read that raspberry leaves can be good for stomach problems. Don’t have any plants near me, but does anyone know if this would be safe?
http://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Leaves-Dried-Pound-Bulk/dp/B002U95FW2
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/bulkherb/r.php
Sorry for the long post but wanted to include all relevant info!