What causes too many cecotropes?
However, the most common cause of cecal motility disorders is food, especially a diet too rich in carbohydrates – including starchy vegetables, fruits, and grains – and lacking in fiber.
Why is my bunny making so many cecotropes?
Cecotropes. A diet too high in carbohydrates, protein, or sugar can upset the balance of bacteria in the caecum causing the production of too many cecotropes. The rabbit ignores these extra dropping as they contain unneeded nutrients and they become stuck in the fur or squished on the floor instead.
How many cecotropes do rabbits eat a day?
Probably only 2 or 3 cecotropes are needed.
What happens if a rabbit has too much protein?
Pet rabbits need 12% to 16% protein; higher levels may be excessive and may be detrimental to long-term health. Excessive protein levels may allow growth of Clostridium spp, possibly leading to enteritis.
Are cecotropes normal?
Cecotropes are a normal and healthy bowel movement for all rabbits. The reason why you may never have seen these droppings is because rabbits are coprophagous.
What does it mean when my rabbits poop is soft?
In rabbits the watery stools are caused initially by a decrease in intestinal motility and in dogs, cats and humans it is caused by an increase in motility. The soft stools are actually malformed cecotropes that should have been eaten directly from the anus by the rabbit.
Are Cecotropes normal?
How do you treat soft Cecotropes in rabbits?
The treatment of ISC is based first on a serious diet restriction to grass hay, which acts to return the GI tract to normal, and secondly a gradual reintroduction of additional foods after normal cecotropes are produced for at least a week.
How do you prevent rabbit cecotropes?
Generally, rabbits on a low-protein or low-simple carbohydrate and low-fat diet will consume more cecotropes to try and obtain adequate amounts of needed nutrients. Rabbits on a higher protein diet will consume less of their cecals.
What happens excess protein?
Excess protein consumed is usually stored as fat, while the surplus of amino acids is excreted. This can lead to weight gain over time, especially if you consume too many calories while trying to increase your protein intake.