Babette has some soft stinky poo!

[Desert Rose Rabbits]

So, as I was giving all the bunns their greens this morning, I noticed that Babette (the newest and youngest doe) had some poo smeared on a couple blades of hay. Pulled the tray out from under her cage and didn't see any diarrhea there. However, when I put her new litter box (miniature paint tray) into the cage, she immediately went over and pooped in it. The pellet was formed but very wet looking and horribly stinky so I'm thinking it was just cecotrope, but I'm not sure. When she left the litter box she stepped on it and it smeared pretty easily. Checked her bum and she has a slightly poopy bottom (just in her butt tufts), but not anything overly concerning to me so I left her be in case it IS cecotrope and she cleans herself up. If she doesn't do so in the next 20-30 min then I will do it myself.

Anyways, I've witheld her small ration of greens, and removed her pellets but gave her loads of grass hay which she seems to prefer anyways. She's eating and she's drinking - not dehydrated (checked her for that), and otherwise is very active. It's possible that when hubby gave everyone greens yesterday he got a little zealous with her ration (also, I'm sure stress has something to do with it since she's been with us less than a week) so I'm thinking just hay for today and plenty of water. Do you think that's okay? Should I give her some uncooked oats? Would that help with the soft poos? For the little bit she's been with us she's had perfect pellets, nicely formed and dry except for today.

 

[MaggieJ]

It sounds to me as though you were seeing cecotropes - the cecal pellets that the rabbit produces and normally consumes straight from the anus. If you are not familiar with this practice, I suggest you read this article.

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/poop.html

 

[Desert Rose Rabbits]

That's what I was thinking... it just seemed like there was a bit more than there should be. Could be a combo of things, too. I hate having the 'memories' of things, but not a full understanding of them! Dang childhood!