Diarrhoea in 6 month old bunny

[sarahmerri]

Hi All,

Needing advice! We went to the vets yesterday but didn't feel very confident in their assessment.

We've got 2 gorgeous 6 month old French Lops - Albie and Blue. Yesterday Albie got diarrhoea that we noticed around lunchtime. He wasn't eating. We took him to the vets who said GI stasis most likely and gave Emerid, Loxicam and recovery sachets. When we got home we noticed worms in the loose poos. He's been not himself since then. He's had bits and pieces to eat but not going crazy for things like he normally would and is wanting to just sit quietly inside - normally he'd be binkying everywhere! We've been giving what we got from the vet plus worming treatment.

Blue is completely fine! We've separated them just in case but think they're missing each other! Albies stools are becoming more formed but concerned they now look a bit more irregular and small. We're encouraging him to eat whatever we can and syringe feeding water. They're both full vaccinated and neutered. When we think back Albie has always been a bit quieter and not as active as Blue.

So any ideas?! I'm not convinced by the stasis diagnosis! Could worms have caused this acutely?? Or another infection?? Our normal vets is fantastic and I really trust him but not open until Tuesday argh!

Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated! We're so worried as our last bunny died really suddenly last year at only 18 months and I don't think I can bear it to lose another

 

[JBun]

Yes, worms can certainly be a cause of loose stool. Stasis isn't a cause of diarrhea. Stasis is a symptom of another problem going on and the result is a gi slowdown and little to no poop, not diarrhea.

Even though his poops are starting to look more normal, I would be concerned about a bacterial growth also occurring, which is commonly what happens when there is true diarrhea, and the bacteria often involved is extremely harmful. Because of this, I would want to also have my rabbit on the antibiotic metronidazole, and cholestyramine would be good as well as it absorbs toxins released by the clostridium bacteria(this needs to be accompanied by good fluid therapy), which is a very harmful bacteria if it is present. If at all possible, I would want these meds started immediately. If your rabbit isn't staying well hydrated, getting some sub q fluids might also prove helpful. Because your rabbit isn't starting to perk up with the current medications, this would make me feel very concerned.
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/poop.html
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_diseases/Generalities/Enteritis_en.htm

You'll want to make sure you are using the correct deworming med, either fenbendazole for pinworms and certain roundworms, ivermectin for other types of roundworms, or praziquantel for tapeworms, either based on visual identification or by having a fecal float done.

If you aren't confident in your vets experience with rabbits and aren't already seeing this vet, Aidan Raftery at Ashleigh vets is a specialist and recommended by other rabbit owners in your area.
http://ashleigh-veterinary-centre.com/

 

[sarahmerri]

Thanks so much - yes we thought stasis seemed an odd diagnosis and suspected she was just saying that as she couldn't think of anything else. We've got him on febendazole already but will try get hold of someone for antibiotics tomorrow - it's bank holiday here tomorrow so annoyingly most vets aren't open. So frustrating. We're giving him fluids as the article you've posted advises so fingers crossed we can keep him going until we can see someone who knows what they're doing. From looking at pictures i'm fairly confident they're pinworms

 

[JBun]

If it's pinworms then fenbendazole is the right dewormer. With any luck maybe the dewormer will be enough to get him feeling better and no other meds will be needed. I don't know how often the vet said to give the dewormer, but with pinworms I would want to give 20mg/kg once a day for 5 days, 10 days off, then give one more dose to catch any remaining eggs that might have hatched.
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_diseases/Parasitic_diseases/Pass/Pass_en.htm

If he hasn't declined by tomorrow, then he likely won't need the antibiotics, as it would mean that particular bacteria is likely not involved. Especially if he isn't showing any further signs of diarrhea. Though if he does continue to have diarrhea then I would want to start the antibiotics.