A rabbit suffering from cecal dysbiosis will produce cecotropes that are mushy, pasty or even liquid. They are usually quite foul-smelling, and often stick to the bunny's back end in great, nasty clumps. These unformed cecotropes are not a primary disease, however.
It can take up to two months for the cecal flora to completely return to normal, particularly if the rabbit has had abnormal cecotropes for weeks or months prior to treatment.
Leafy greens (e.g. romaine, endive, dandelion greens, etc.) can be offered at 2 cups per five pounds of rabbit per day. Hay and greens alone can provide all of the essential components of a healthy rabbit diet. Pellets can eventually be reintroduced (1/8 cup per 5lbs of rabbit) once the soft cecotropes have subsided.
In true diarrhea (which is rare in rabbits), there is an absence of any formed stool and the consistency of the fecal material is watery. True diarrhea in a rabbit is a sign of a serious and often fatal condition.
Normal cecotropes are dark, greenish-brown and resemble tightly bunched grapes. Each cecotrope is a soft, shiny pellet covered with mucus, and pressed into an elongated mass. They have a strong odor and contain massive amounts of beneficial bacteria that when ingested are re-established in the ceacum.
Cecotropes. These poops are completely normal, usually bunnies eat them to ensure that they get enough protein and B vitamins in their diet. Sometimes bunnies will make more than normal when they're stressed or are getting too much sugar in their diet.
The most important part of the treatment of uncomplicated ISC is to feed grass hay to your pet. This should be the only food given until the stools return to normal. You must remove all other food items from the diet including pellets and treats.
Dry Crumbly Rabbit Poop
Rabbit pellets naturally dry out over time. Pellets that are dry, misshaped, and crumbly immediately after being excreted are a sign of dehydration. Naturally, a body that isn't getting enough water is going to save what liquids it can, resulting in dry droppings.
Soft poop is uneaten cecotropes. It's the result of an imbalance in the diet. Usually, the rabbit has consumed too many treats and/or pellets. Some rich vegetables, such as kale, dandelion greens, carrot tops and chard, may also cause excess cecotropes.
Soft, moist dropping usually mean your bunny's diet is to high in protein or sugar. Try decreasing those foods and increasing the hay intake. If these types of droppings still continue, you may need to check with your veterinarian to make sure there isn't something else going on with your bunny's health.
Some effects of dysbiosis, such as stomach upset, are temporary and mild. In many cases, your body can correct the imbalance without treatment. But if your symptoms become more serious, you'll need to see your doctor for diagnosis.
The body can sort out small bacterial imbalances on its own, but sometimes patients need help in resolving dysbiosis.
How long does it take to heal gut dysbiosis? At least a couple weeks of healthy diet changes are needed before gut dysbiosis will be healed. In some, two weeks and — snap — they're healed. In others, it can take months of dietary correction, supplements, and/or medications to reverse gut dysbiosis permanently.
The three types of dysbiosis are: 1) Loss of beneficial bacteria, 2) Overgrowth of potentially pathogenic bacteria, and 3) Loss of overall bacterial diversity. In most cases, these types of dysbioses occur at the same time.
The biggest takeaway here is to cut out sugar and refined carbs, including alcohol, and to increase fiber intake. Fiber will feed good gut bacteria and ferment into short-chain fatty acids that curb inflammation and improve the overall health of your gut [27].
Increasingly smaller, irregularly shaped droppings or droppings strung together with fur (or carpet) may indicate a problem. Proper grooming by you, especially during a molt, and plenty of fresh hay will help produce optimum digestive tract health, along with appealing to the rabbit's urge to chew.
Cecal Impaction (Stasis)
If cecal hypomotility is allowed to continue, the cecum will become impacted – the contents will become dehydrated and there will no longer be the normal mixing and movement of material in and out of the cecum.
Proper diet is critical for prevention. Treatment of diarrhea in rabbits involves identifying and treating the cause, if possible. Specific treatment options vary among veterinarians, but as a rule, fiber in the diet is increased (often nothing but hay may be offered for several weeks).
Dark brown stool can be caused by dehydration, constipation, IBS, or simply from eating dark-colored foods or iron-rich foods or supplements.
Smelly rabbit poop can be a sign of stress, illness, or nutritional imbalances. Your rabbit may be eating too much starch, sugar, or fat. If you notice smelly poop in your rabbits hutch, litter tray, or around the house, it's a good idea to take them to the vet.
Caecotrophs and bunny health
1) An inappropriate diet can be a reason why your bunny isn't eating their caecotrophs. This is because diets that are low in fibre and high in protein and sugar can prevent your bunny's digestive tract from working properly.
Rabbits usually produce cecotropes at the same time each day, often at night hence they are sometimes called "night droppings", but in pet rabbits, it is dependent on their daily routine and feeding times. The rabbit eats them straight from the anus so in a normal situation you will not see them.
The high fiber in hay stimulates normal intestinal motility, as well as helps wear down rabbits' continuously growing teeth, thereby lessening the likelihood of dental problems. You can allow your rabbit lots of supervised out-of-cage time to encourage physical exercise to promote normal gut motility.
Older rabbits, obese rabbits, or those with arthritis, may have a difficult time reaching their bottoms, preventing them from consuming the cecotropes. If your rabbit is overweight, reduce or eliminate pellets from his diet, and provide unlimited timothy hay and fresh greens.