My rabbit has diarrhoea, and does not seem to be eating and drinking very much. What should I do?
It is important that you take your rabbit to a vet's as soon as you can. Early treatment for diarrhoea gives a better chance of recovery, as rabbits taken to the vet’s when they are dehydrated and thin after a prolonged bout of diarrhoea are more difficult to treat.
- Diarrhoea in rabbits can be caused by a number of factors, such as poor husbandry, diet and recent environmental stress.
- The 'enteritis complex' can include all or some of these, plus bacterial, protozoal and fungal agents. Affected pets are depressed and have staining around their nether regions, and their abdomen feels a bit 'watery'.
- Viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD) is a very serious disease in rabbits. The incubation period is very short, and there may be a foamy or bloody discharge from the nose or anal area. The acute form affects rabbits that are over 2 months of age, and these rabbits may show non-specific symptoms such as fever and dullness before the disease becomes very serious. The disease can be fatal but can be prevented by vaccination.
- There are other causes of diarrhoea, some of which can be transmitted to humans.
- It is important that your rabbit has enough food before you can get to the vets. Mashed up food with a high fibre content may help tempt your rabbit to eat.
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