Large, smelly cecotrophs

[Fergie]

My little Holland lop consistently has very large, smelly cecotrophs.  I was wondering if anyone knows what could be causing it?  I wondered if he had megacolon, but from what I have read, it produces really dry poops.  This little guy was picked up by animal control wandering the streets.  He was very sick when I took him in as a foster, but is in great health now, with the exception of this intestinal problem.  Any ideas?

[Sarita]

Are they formed correctly like little grape clusters?

[Sarita]

Also has the vet done a thorough exam including the teeth and done a fecal test?

[Fergie]

No, they’re not shaped correctly. They’re just a large blob that invariably gets stuck to his butt. He did have a thorough vet exam a couple of times. I don’t think they have done a fecal exam, though.

[Sarita]

It might not hurt to do that – how long have you had him? And any ideas on his age?

[Fergie]

I’ve had him for about 9 months. The vet thought he was about 2 years old.

[Sarita]

Since he’s a Holland Lop and they are prone to dental problems might be good to have the vet take a really good look in his mouth for molar spurs.

Does he eat alot of hay?

[Fergie]

Ok, so I need a dental and fecal check. I didn’t know Holland lops were prone to tooth problems…good to know. No, he doesn’t eat a lot of hay. When I first got him, he acted like he had never seen it before and wouldn’t touch it. He will eat it now, he just doesn’t eat a lot of it.

[manic_muncher]

Maybe his diet is too rich? Too many pellets, greens and/ treats, not enough hay? I had to cut WAY back on Bumpy’s pellets before he really started to enjoy hay. Now he thumps if it needs refreshing.

[Beka27]

Welcome to BB, Fergie!

I’m sorry to hear you’re having poop issues with him, that is very frustrating! Thank you for taking him in. Is he still a foster or have you adopted him?

Like the others said, I think a vet check is the first step. I know you’ve already done this, but have them double-check his teeth and do a fecal exam. He might have a parasite or something that is causing the looser stools.

What is his daily diet like? Type and quantities of pellets, veggies, hay, and any treats?

Does he ever produce normal hard round poops, or is everything loose?

Also, is that your other bunny in your avatar picture? He/she looks a lot like my mini rex, what a cutie! Feel free to start a new thread in the ‘Welcome’ section. You can introduce yourself and the bunnies and share some pics of them if you want!

[Fergie]

I have adopted him…I’m a total failure as a foster mom. I always end up adopting them .

He gets 1/4 cup of pellets, tiny pieces of Romaine lettuce 3-4 times throughout the day, 1/2 teaspoon of oatmeal ( which I am gradually cutting back on), and lots of hay. He barely eats any hay, though.

The bunny in the pic is one of my Mini Rexes Marnie, that I fostered and have just recently adopted. I’m hoping she will bond with my little Felix ( the subject of this post)

[Sarita]

It might be a good idea to cut back on the pellets. It’s good you are cutting back or cutting out the oatmeal – it’s a carbohydrate and that can be a problem too.

[Fergie]

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions!

[Beka27]

Oh yes, I would definitely cut way back on the oatmeal and begin reducing the pellets to 1/8th cup maximum…

See how those changes work.

[Author]

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