Enteritis

Enteritis in rabbits is a bacterial infection that can hit rabbit litters shortly after they are weaned from their Mother’s milk.

It causes diarrhea, alkaline cecum and allows the growth of bacteria such as E Coli or Clostridium.

The rabbit generally stops eating which further upsets the tummy causing bacteria to not pass in the stool.

Why am I writing this? We got word from the breeder that Enteritis has hit the barn where the rabbits live. She’s lost two bunnies from 2 litters as of this writing.

We are beside ourselves with worry.

We have to trust the antibiotics the breeder is giving the remaining rabbits will knock this out. We’re also keeping fingers crossed that they survive. 

We originally planned on getting them on August 18.

A Simple Question – Not So Simple Answer

I sent a text to the Breeder: “What food do you recommend for the rabbits when we get them home?”

The answer back: “Purina Professional Rabbit Pellets until age 9 months. They need the higher protein since they are bigger bunnies.”

I Googled: “Purina Professional Rabbit Pellets”

I clicked the link and went to the website. I saw the block “put in your zip code to find a dealer.” I did. There were a few within a 25 mile radius.

I started calling. “Do you carry Purina Professional Rabbit Pellets?”

“No, just chicken feed” or “No, just horse feed.”

“This is nuts,” I thought. I went to Amazon.

They don’t carry it and they carry EVERYTHING!

I knew I was in serious trouble.  I called my pet shop where we’ve been doing business for years. I asked my question & “No, we don’t carry that.”

“Can you order it?”

“No.  We don’t have a relationship with that distributor and can’t meet the minimum order requirements.“

They did offer to check with some other people they knew.

I got a call a few days later. Sure enough, there is a vendor 27 miles away. I drove over there this past Saturday and bought 50 pounds of rabbit pellets. It was a great experience.

The store I went to was an old fashioned feed store. They had bird seed, chicken feed, horse feed and yes, Purina Professional Rabbit pellets.

I was very grateful not only to them, but the dedication of the staff at my pet store: Pet Supplies Plus.

At least I have what I hope is a month’s supply of bunny food.