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Constipation in rabbits is a common problem, and untimely assistance to pets is fatal. Animals of the order Lagomorphs cannot control the amount of food consumed. In moments of wakefulness, they gnaw something non-stop, their stomachs are constantly full. This leads to disruptions in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, when food inside the intestines decomposes, and the body is poisoned.
Causes of constipation in a rabbit
Rabbits are animals that require increased attention. They react rather painfully to violations of the rules of content. Factors affecting the appearance of constipation:
- infectious;
- non-infectious.
The cause of insufficient defecation of an infectious nature is the pathogenic bacterium Clostridium. When the number of pathogenic microorganisms exceeds the norm, lagomorphs accumulate gases, a violation of peristalsis. Bacteria Clostridium spp, multiplying, release toxins that have a destructive effect on the liver of the animal, and the lack of therapy leads to its death.
Non-infectious causes of constipation in a rabbit include:
- a sudden change in diet. For example, when, after a juicy meal, the animal is abruptly transferred to hay;
- insufficient amount of dietary fiber in the diet of lagomorphs;
- low physical activity of the animal due to the tight cage;
- a state of nervous overstrain, which can be caused by a change in the owner;
- dehydration of the body caused by lack of water in the drinker, dry air or high ambient temperatures.
Digestive problems can cause a buildup of fur in the stomach of a rabbit during molting.
Symptoms of the problem
The breeder should be alerted to the fact that the animal does not go to the toilet for more than a day. Other symptoms of constipation caused by infectious causes:
- the oppressed state of the animal;
- loss of appetite;
- bloating, rumbling in the stomach;
- the rabbit shows concern when touching the abdomen;
- fecal lumps with mucus.
Often constipation in rabbits alternates with diarrhea. In this case, the animal should be removed from the herd in a separate cage and shown to the veterinarian.
Treatment methods
It is possible to alleviate the condition of lagomorphs with drugs and folk methods. But in order not to harm the animals, you need to consult a doctor. Seek advice as soon as the rabbit has the first symptoms of constipation.
Antibiotic use
In severe cases, obstructed defecation in a decorative rabbit is treated with antibiotics of the tetracycline group. Therapy is carried out in the form of injections, but only a veterinarian can give recommendations for use and calculate the dose.
Expert opinion
Zarechny Maxim Valerievich
Agronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best summer cottage expert.
The most popular medicine is Baytril. Injections are given 3 times a day, at the withers of the animal. The dosage is calculated based on the weight of the pet: 0.1 mg of the drug is taken per 1 kg and diluted with 0.5 ml of saline. The course of treatment for each animal is set individually.
Along with the injections of antibiotics, it is necessary to deworm the animal with the Baycox solution. It is forbidden to treat rabbits for constipation with laxatives. Such therapy will only worsen the condition of the animal.
Traditional methods
What to do when there is no way to seek help from a doctor? If the nature of constipation is not infectious, you can use folk remedies. The most common ones are:
- A sick animal is massaged every 3 hours. The animal is laid on its knees, gently moved by hand from tail to neck. If the rabbit is worried, the manipulation should be stopped immediately.
- Vaseline oil. The medicine is given to the animal in the amount of 5 ml at a time. It works as a laxative, gently helping to get rid of the animal from a foreign product or a ball of wool. If the stool has improved, you do not need to repeat the procedure.
- A decoction of chamomile and tansy is given to the rabbit on the very first day of constipation. The product is poured into the animal from the syringe by removing the needle.
Before proceeding with the treatment of animals of the order Lagomorphs, the cause of constipation should be established, and then eliminated.
Diet for sick rabbits
Clean drinking water and hay are essential ingredients for proper rabbit nutrition.
It is the dried grass that keeps the intestinal muscles of animals of the lagomorph family in good shape and helps to remove shreds of swallowed wool from the body.
If the rabbit has symptoms of constipation, then it is necessary to carefully monitor its diet. In addition to hay (70-80% of the diet), the menu should include:
- fresh vegetables. An excellent option is cabbage, but you cannot get carried away with it. Colored, Brussels sprouts, broccoli are suitable;
- vegetable puree with herbal granules dissolved in water. A pasty mixture is prepared, which is drawn into a syringe and squeezed into the pet's mouth in small portions;
- vitamin A - you should offer the animal a choice of herbs (green lettuce, parsley, garden or salad chicory);
- vitamin B - radish leaves, carrot tops, broccoli;
- vitamin C - dill, watercress, spinach, rutabagas, dandelion, parsley root.
Vegetables must be washed before serving. Those garden gifts that have been grown with the use of fertilizers and pesticides should be avoided. Fruits are treats, so it is not recommended to give them more than 2 times a week.
Prevention of constipation
The best prevention of constipation is eating a rabbit well. The daily diet of the animal should include:
- vegetables, tops, fresh herbs;
- clean drinking water in sufficient quantity;
- high fiber granules;
- fresh hay.
Also, the reason for constipation is the sedentary lifestyle of the pet, so it needs to provide daily walks. Another important component is regular visits to your veterinarian. Some diseases proceed without the presence of obvious signs; only an experienced specialist can recognize the ailment.
