ams1786
Well-Known Member
So I've thought I had this problem before but now I DEFINITELY have it - mushy poo. A few days ago I noticed a giant squishy dropping in the litter box. Later that day I found a cecal on the floor. I didn't think too much of it since we've had isolated incidents before and they always proved to be onetime things. Today, however, when I went to put her away I found several formed/half-formed cecals scattered around - eww.
There were no normal droppings outside her litter box so I don't think she's having problems controlling herself. They were in the areas where she usually grooms herself, so either she's not eating any for some reason or she's overproducing. I did go so far as to "offer" her one, which I've read you're supposed to do, but she was not interested. I'm really trying to figure out what it is, as this is the first real such problem we've had.
I did start her on Bok Choy a few days ago, and I'll certainly try stopping that as it's been the only change in her meals. I don't think she's overweight enough for this to be a problem, and she eats well - roughly 3/4 cups plain pellets per day (she's 6.5 lbs) and unlimited oat hay (the only kind she'll eat). I haven't noticed any changes in her behavior or eating habits - her intake has maybe reduced VERY slightly, but that's corresponded with the sudden warm weather we've been having.
I did have an idea though, and I'd love to hear if anyone has heard of this. For the past week I've been giving her Oxbow papaya tablets, 1-2 per day as recommended, because she's going through her first molt and is NOT a fan of sitting still for brushing and I thought that would help keep things moving. Is it possible that the enzymes in those are just causing her to have too much good bacteria so she's overproducing cecals and just knows she's not supposed to eat anymore? I've heard so many people say these tablets are useless but she's a rex and I think more sensitive than most. Too much bacteria might also explained the weird misformed ones. I was worried this could be a hair blockage or something, but she's also been producing normal round pellets as well and from what I've read those usually stop when there's an issue.
Sorry for the long post, but I'd really love any ideas. Def want to get to the bottom of this - thank you if you got this far!
There were no normal droppings outside her litter box so I don't think she's having problems controlling herself. They were in the areas where she usually grooms herself, so either she's not eating any for some reason or she's overproducing. I did go so far as to "offer" her one, which I've read you're supposed to do, but she was not interested. I'm really trying to figure out what it is, as this is the first real such problem we've had.
I did start her on Bok Choy a few days ago, and I'll certainly try stopping that as it's been the only change in her meals. I don't think she's overweight enough for this to be a problem, and she eats well - roughly 3/4 cups plain pellets per day (she's 6.5 lbs) and unlimited oat hay (the only kind she'll eat). I haven't noticed any changes in her behavior or eating habits - her intake has maybe reduced VERY slightly, but that's corresponded with the sudden warm weather we've been having.
I did have an idea though, and I'd love to hear if anyone has heard of this. For the past week I've been giving her Oxbow papaya tablets, 1-2 per day as recommended, because she's going through her first molt and is NOT a fan of sitting still for brushing and I thought that would help keep things moving. Is it possible that the enzymes in those are just causing her to have too much good bacteria so she's overproducing cecals and just knows she's not supposed to eat anymore? I've heard so many people say these tablets are useless but she's a rex and I think more sensitive than most. Too much bacteria might also explained the weird misformed ones. I was worried this could be a hair blockage or something, but she's also been producing normal round pellets as well and from what I've read those usually stop when there's an issue.
Sorry for the long post, but I'd really love any ideas. Def want to get to the bottom of this - thank you if you got this far!