2-week-old bunny with diarrhea

[Dutchgirl]

I have a 2-week-old kit who has survived over 24 (probably more like 40-48) hours with diarrhea. At first I just thought it had peed on itself, but now it's clear, jellylike, foul-smelling diarrhea.

The kit has no interest whatsoever in nursing. I made a solution of water, sugar, and salt (according to a recipe I found) and it has been drinking just a little of that.

I am encouraged that it is making a little effort to keep its face and front paws groomed.

I've found lots of articles about just-weaned kits with diarrhea, but what about kits in the nestbox?

 

[orpington13]

have you been feeding it greens? make sure he is nursing also.

 

[orpington13]

I also suggest to PM BunnyLady. she has a great knowledge of rabbits

 

[Dutchgirl]

It's possible the kit nibbled on some plantain leaves while I wasn't looking, but I was pretty sure that they didn't eat any. Besides, plantain leaves are supposed to be very gentle on the digestive tract. I wouldn't think that they would cause this - even in a 2-week-old?

I can't make sure the kit is nursing. I did what I could, but I'm serious - the kit has no interest in nursing. The other kits go nuts when they smell mom; he just sits there with his eyes shut. Once he stuck half his body under but made no move to nurse.

 

[orpington13]

Even if he did try some plantain leaves the result can be bad with that young of a kit, because you are not supposed to let them have any greens until 6 months.

 

[Dutchgirl]

I do usually take special care not to let young kits have greens (but I see no problem with letting 3-month-old juniors have some in limited quantities). From what I've read about plantain, though, I wasn't being quite as careful with it as usual. I still have doubts that it ate any. I did watch it eat hay and perhaps nibble on a pellet, though.

 

[orpington13]

what are you feeding him at the moment?

 

[Dutchgirl]

Like I said, just the sugar/salt solution. I used the recipe on this page as a guide: http://www.thenaturetrail.com/rabbit-health-feeding/diarrhea-treatment-coccidia-pet-holland-lop/
I didn't put in the baking soda, though.

 

[orpington13]

does the diarrhea have a little blood in it?

 

[orpington13]

http://www.nutrecocanada.com/docs/shur-gain---specialty/coccidiosis-in-rabbits.pdf
this shows some of the symptoms of coccidiosis which almost looks like what is happening to your kit.