1. Reasons for constipation in rabbits
There are many factors that cause constipation in rabbits, such as Fever, gastrointestinal relaxation, poor feeding and management, etc., but mainly due to improper feeding and management, improper combination of concentrate and roughage, excessive feeding of concentrate, and insufficient drinking water; feeding rabbits with a single dry and hard feed for a long time, Such as sweet potato seedlings, bean straw, rice straw, rice bran, etc.; excessive intake of foreign bodies containing a large amount of sediment, coat
, etc. leads to weakened gastrointestinal motility; sudden changes in the rearing environment, insufficient exercise, disrupted bowel habits or secondary diseases, etc. , the above conditions may lead to constipation in rabbits.
II. Clinical symptoms of constipation in rabbits
In the early stage of constipation in rabbits, when the intestinal tract is not completely blocked, they generally show poor spirit, decreased appetite, and poor drinking water. Increase in feces, difficulty in defecation, less fecal volume and dry fecal balls, etc.; when the intestinal tract is completely blocked, there will be loss of appetite, stop defecation, abdominal pain and other symptoms, although no feces are discharged, but will often discharge poop pose. Palpate the abdomen of a rabbit when it is constipated, and a firm fecal mass can be palpated in the cecum and colon.
3. Differential diagnosis of constipation in rabbits
1. Constipation in rabbits Differentiation from bloating in rabbits
Rabbits with constipation or bloating will have symptoms such as loss of appetite, decreased exercise, enlarged abdominal circumference, less defecation or stop defecation. However, the reasons that cause these two conditions in rabbits are different. Rabbit bloating is mainly caused by eating easily fermented feed or grass with dew and rain.
2. Identification of Rabbit Constipation and Rabbit Stomach Eating
Rabbits with constipation and gastric ingestion will have symptoms such as loss of appetite, abdominal distention, and flatulence. However, the accumulation of food in the stomach of rabbits is mostly caused by eating too much during starvation or changing feeds.
4. Measures to prevent and treat constipation in rabbits
1. Preventive measures: In summer, feed enough green fodder to rabbits; in winter, when feeding more dry roughage to rabbits, pay attention to ensure that they drink enough water; Feed the rabbits quantitatively to prevent the rabbits from being gluttonous and eating too much at one time; keep the rabbits with proper exercise; keep the rabbits’ tableware clean and hygienic, free of foreign objects.
2. Treatment measures
In the early stage of constipation, the rabbit should be fed an appropriate amount of green and juicy feed in time, and the feeding amount should be reduced when the feces become soft. If the rabbit is severely constipated, stop feeding the rabbit immediately, increase the rabbit’s water intake and massage the abdomen, and use drugs to promote its intestinal peristalsis and increase the secretion of intestinal glands to soften the stool.
If an adult rabbit is sick, you can use 2-8g of sodium sulfate or 10-15g of artificial salt with an appropriate amount of warm water to feed the rabbit. If it is a young rabbit, it can be halved. If treatment is ineffective, it is advisable to seek veterinary help.
