Rabbits have scours - need advice!

[Martinhouse]

One doe has had this occassionally but now it's back and the buck has it, too.

They rarely get other than just their pellets so I don't know what has caused it. They are never out of their cages or on the ground.

I'm wondering if there is something in the home that would help, as I have no regular vet and certainly no money for meds.

Goats can get over scours with just dry hay, if they get it from too much grain, but what can I give my rabbits? What would work like rice water and apple juice do for humans?

Help!

Carol

[Limner]

We have had alot of problems with cocidiosis in this area....alot of livestock get it, including rabbits. Have your critters been under stress of any kind? Dampness can bring it on...and we sure have had rain here. I wonder if some activated charcoal would help?

[Beaners]

Try looking up coccidiosis and see if that sounds similar to what you are seeing. It sounds to me like that might be your problem. It's fairly common. You would need to treat for it rather than just modify the diet but you should be able to get the meds from a feed store and avoid a vet visit.

Kayleigh

And Limner beat me to it! I type too slowly.

[Martinhouse]

Okay. thanks, you guys. I'll see what the feed store has to say.

Carol

[natty threads]

Ditto.

We have a tough strain here.

Even if a caged rabbit gets out on the ground for just a few minutes, we treat.

When we catch a rabbit to cage it, we treat.

Chicks get Sulmet before they go out into the yard, and the goats get treated semi-regularly.

It's carried by wild birds and I don't buy for a minute that it's species specific.

My understanding is that you cannot get it out of the soil.
My understanding is that it is a bacterial parasite.

I dunno.

Bless up.
Love,
Jennifer

[theoriginaldeb]

This is an off label use...but I use Zemectrin paste (horse wormer) for parasites.
For an adult rabbit it takes a dollop about the size of a pea. Just apply it to a front paw...they will lick it off...they hate stuff on their fur. Parasites can be persistent and I usually retreat the rabbit two weeks after the initial dose.

Parasites can be introduced via several sources, Grass hay, wild birds, or can just lay dormant on the wire of old cages and go active when a new rabbit is introduced.
I usually sterilize old cages with diluted bleach in a spray bottle and lots of hot sunlight.

I had a persistent problem with parasites...that if I had to eradicate again...I would sterilize with a hand torch.

Now if its bacterial...use Baytril according to the label.

Also try Probiotics....this is available at the feed store and health food store in several forms...just follow the directions.

Good luck...I hope you find the solution.