Technical Information

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Gastrointestinal Disorders

The digestive system of the rabbit is complex and sensitive. Anything that disrupts normal GI motility, the pH of the stomach, caecum, fluid content of the ingesta (particularly in the hindgut) or hindgut flora can lead to some type of disorder. An inability to chew fibrous food, or a diet lacking in fibre often cause gastrointestinal disorders in rabbits.

Typical Disorder / Disease:

1. Anorexia	6. Chronic Soft Stools
2. Tichobezoars	7. Enteritis / Enteropathy
3. Gastric Stasis, Intestinal Ileus	8. Enterotoxaemia
4. Gastrointerstinal obstruction	9. Parasitic Infestation / Viral Infection
5. Bacterial dysbiosis - (caecal dysbiosis)	10. Viral Diseases

Factors Affecting GI Tract Function:

1. Diet - low dietary fibre, high starch, protein or fat, laxative agents

2. Inadequate water intake

3. Inactivity

4. Stress (injury weaning, transportation, predation)

5. Disease / intestinal parasites

6. Genetic predisposition

7. Inappropriate antibiotic use

Early Indicators of Disorder / Disease:

1. Faeces - Absence, adnormal type, size, condition, quantity

2. Behaviour and demeanour - altered depression, reluctance to move or be handled

3. Appetite - reduced or totally suppressed

4. Abdominal distension - bloated, yet tucked in appearance, tympanitic

5. Indications of pain - teeth grinding, rate and regularity of nose twitching aggression

6. Gut sounds - absence, reduced or borborygmus

Presence of Faeces Accumulating around the Anus:

If not consumed or cleaned up caecotrophs or 'soft stools' adhere to the fur around the anal region / perineal fold. Factors contributing to their presence are:

1. Pain - in the: oral cavity - injury, overgrown teeth, ulceration of tongue / cheek. dental disease spinal region - arthritis, spondylitis liver, kidneys, bowels
2. Obesity or presence of dewlap
3. Overfeeding
4. Palatability and texture of caecotrophs / faeces

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The Rabbit Digestive Tract

Russel Rabbit

The Rabbit Digestive Tract Explained

Russel Rabbit

Appetite Impairment / Disturbance of Gut Flora

Rabbit Dentition