40 This combined microflora is responsible for processing fiber entering the cecum into digestible nutrients, which are then reingested as cecotrophs.Īn inappropriate diet or GI stasis can disrupt the balance of this complex cecal microflora and the environment in which it grows. 14, 23, 40 Other bacteria normally present are gram-negative oval and fusiform rods, as well as yeast and several nonpathogenic species of protozoa and amoebas. The cecum acts as a fermentation chamber and contains a complex milieu of microorganisms, including anaerobic organisms, such as Bacteroides species, large anaerobic metachromatic staining bacteria, and many as-yet unidentified species of bacteria. The Effect of Diet and Cecocolic MotilityĬecal bacteria are vital to health. This accumulation is erroneously referred to as a “hairball,” “wool block,” or “trichobezoar.” These terms imply, incorrectly, that the hair accumulation is the cause of disease rather than simply being the consequence or a symptom of impaired intestinal motility. A vicious cycle can result, until large amounts of hair and compacted ingesta accumulate in the stomach. Compacted ingesta causes discomfort, contributing further to anorexia and exacerbating GI hypomotility. Fluid is absorbed from the stomach, further compacting the contents. If GI motility is impaired, hair and ingesta accumulate in the stomach. If GI motility is normal, ingested hair moves along with food out of the stomach at regular intervals and is ultimately expelled in the feces. However, they cannot vomit to eliminate accumulated hair. Rabbits ingest hair routinely in the process of grooming. 18 Inadequate ingestion of coarse fiber will inhibit normal GI peristalsis. Diets high in fiber promote the production of specific volatile fatty acids in the cecum that promote peristalsis. 18 Fiber stimulates cecocolic motility, either by a distention effect of the bulk or directly. Lack of this fiber, caused by either dietary inadequacies or conditions that cause anorexia, is a major cause of GI stasis. In rabbits, the main driving force for normal intestinal motility is the presence of large quantities of indigestible fiber. Details of this are discussed in Chapter 13. To understand the pathogenesis of GI diseases of the rabbit, the normal anatomic and physiologic aspects of rabbit digestion must be appreciated. Liver lobe torsion is a challenging condition to diagnose in rabbits this chapter discusses the presenting signs, diagnostic techniques, and therapeutic options. Subclinical infection of intestinal coccidiosis is a common cause of weight loss in adult rabbits. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus has a new variant that has been identified in mainland Europe, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Other important causes of gastrointestinal disease are infectious disease and liver lobe torsion.
The common causes, diagnosis and management of diarrhea including dysbiosis and enteritis are discussed. However, abnormal cecotrophs must be differentiated from true intestinal diarrhea. Rabbits may also be presented with signs of diarrhea. Complications of this disorder can lead to gastrointestinal obstruction, a life-threatening condition that necessitates aggressive medical and in some case surgical therapy. The causes involved in this syndrome are often multifactorial, and an inappropriate diet puts the rabbit at a greater risk of developing this syndrome. Gastrointestinal stasis syndrome is a very common presentation of an ill rabbit to the veterinarian.
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