Exotic Pet GI Health Tips
For those pet owners with rabbits or rodents as pets, you can learn about your pet’s gastrointestinal (GI) health with these exotic pet GI health tips.
Alford Avenue Veterinary Hospital cares for a large variety of species, including exotic companion mammals. Some of the more popular pets in this category are rodents and rabbits. Rodents include rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and chinchillas. Rabbits are not rodents: they are lagomorphs: a group that also includes hares and pikas. This discussion will focus on three species who share several important dietary, dental, and digestive tract characteristics: rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas.
Exotic Pet GI Health Tips: A Primer On Rabbit & Rodent Teeth
The anatomy and function of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract set this group of animals apart from our other patients, starting with the mouth and the teeth. For most of these species, the only teeth a pet owner is likely to see are the large front teeth used for biting and cutting food—the incisors. Rabbits differ from rodents in that they have a second set of smaller incisors behind their upper ones: these are called the peg teeth. Rodents and rabbits also have cheek teeth (premolars and molars) that are used for chewing and grinding food. In rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas, the incisors and the cheek teeth are continuously growing. But, in a normal healthy animal, the teeth should never need to be trimmed. The normal movements of the teeth against each other during chewing keep them worn to an appropriate length.
Exotic Pet GI Health Tips: How Rabbits & Rodents Digest Food
These species are vegetarians whose hindgut ferments their high fiber diet, for example, Timothy hay. This fiber passes through the GI tract, eventually reaching a large organ called the cecum. The cecum is full of microorganisms—including bacteria, fungi, and protozoa—that break down the fiber into the nutrients needed by the host. These nutrients then enter the large intestine where they are packaged into a specialized form of feces called cecotropes. Cecotropes are also called “night feces” because they are made at night. You will rarely see these feces because they are eaten by your pet. That’s right! These specialized poops are eaten to allow the nutrients to be absorbed on the next pass through the GI tract.
Exotic Pet GI Health Tips: Near-Constant Food Movement Is The Norm
Rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas depend on near-constant movement of food through the GI tract to maintain appropriate motility and function in the gut. When appetite is decreased or absent, the gut slows, and gas-forming bacteria predominate. This results in a painful build-up of gas. The pain further decreases appetite, perpetuating a vicious cycle. This disease process is called GI Stasis, and it is a life-threatening condition.
Overgrowth Of Teeth Can Lead To Dangerous GI Stasis
Overgrowth and/or misalignment (malocclusion) of the teeth is one potential contributor to GI stasis. Failure to provide an appropriate, high-fiber diet can result in inappropriate elongation of the cheek teeth since they are not being worn down by grinding and chewing. A poor-quality diet also may result in weakening of the periodontal ligaments that hold the teeth in their sockets within the jaw. Since they cannot make their own Vitamin C, guinea pigs need a dietary source. Vitamin C helps prevent periodontal inflammation and helps maintain the strength of the periodontal ligaments. Weakened or misaligned teeth may come to sharp points that result in oral wounds and pain, or diseased teeth may become infected and abscess.
Exotic Pet GI Health Tips: Beware Of A High-Sugar Diet
A high carbohydrate (read: sugar) diet and/or one that is insufficient in fiber will result in a disruption of the normal GI flora. This is a condition called dysbiosis. As has already been addressed in content above, this can result in an overpopulation of gas-producing bacteria. Sometimes these bacteria also produce toxins that can further impact health and decrease appetite. So, try to avoid sugary treats, fruits, and diets based on pellets and seed mixes since these are commonly associated with dysbiosis.
Exotic Pet GI Health Tips: Certain Parasites Can Cause Health Problems
Finally, certain pathogens might lead to GI stasis. One such organism is a microscopic parasite called E. cuniculi that can be passed from rabbit to rabbit in the urine. Many rabbits have been exposed to this parasite but only some develop clinical disease. When rabbits show clinical illness, we call it encephalitozoonosis. There are multiple forms of this disease: the parasite can affect the eye, the kidneys, or the nervous system. When it affects the nervous system, it can lead to GI stasis because the muscles of the GI tract depend on nerve impulses for contraction and motility.
Exotic Pet GI Health Tips: How To Recognize The Signs Of GI Stasis
Now that some of the underlying reasons for GI stasis are understood, it’s important to recognize the clinical signs of this disease syndrome.
Loss of Appetite: Any rabbit, guinea pig, or chinchilla who is not eating—or not eating well—or who is not producing stool that is normal in quantity, consistency, or size may be affected by GI stasis.
Teeth Grinding: Grinding of the teeth (bruxism) can be a sign of the pain associated with this syndrome. Evaluation by a veterinarian should not be delayed if you appreciate any of the above problems in your rabbit or rodent. At Alford, we consider GI stasis an emergency and prioritize same-day appointments for suspect cases.
Exotic Pet GI Health Tips: How To Diagnose GI Stasis In Exotic Pets
Diagnostic testing will start with a thorough physical examination, including an oral exam. Radiographs (X-rays) are often recommended to assess the GI tract’s appearance and to help rule out other potential problems like a blockage in the GI tract. Sedation may be needed to facilitate a thorough evaluation of the teeth.
Exotic Pet GI Health Tips: How To Treat GI Statis In Exotic Pets
Treatment of GI stasis should always include pain management and fluid therapy. If there are dental problems, corrective trimming often is needed. If there is no GI blockage, handfeeding with a nutritional supplement like Oxbow Critical Care or EmerAid Herbivore Intensive Care will be started and continued until the patient is willing and able to eat consistently well on his or her own. In early or mild cases, outpatient treatment may be feasible with medications and handfeeding to be continued at home. More severely affected pets will need to be hospitalized for aggressive IV fluids and pain management. Suspected cases of encephalitozoonosis will require special testing and specific treatments aimed at reducing clinical signs associated with parasitism.
Exotic Pet GI Health Tips: Prevention Is Preferable!
As is so often the case, prevention of this disease is far preferable to its treatment. Providing appropriate nutrition is the best way to prevent most cases of GI illness in rabbits and rodents. The one must for all these species is constant access to good quality grass hay. The chewing of hay helps maintain the constantly growing teeth at a normal length and strengthens the periodontal ligaments. Hay also provides the fiber needed to maintain the appropriate balance of microorganisms in the cecum and large intestine. Adult rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas should be fed a grass hay, and it should be available 24/7. The most common such hay is Timothy, but others like orchard and oat grass hay are also appropriate. Young animals may eat alfalfa hay, but this hay is, in general, too soft and too high in protein and calcium to be continued in adults. A limited quantity of pellets, typically 1-2 tablespoons per day, should be offered. A good quality pellet should not have added seeds or nuts. Rabbits and guinea pigs should have a small, daily salad of fresh greens and occasional chopped vegetables. Fresh greens can be offered as occasional treats for chinchillas. Untreated apple wood sticks can be offered as chew toys. Do not feed fruits or sugary treats like yogurt drops as these can disrupt the normal GI flora.
If you suspect your rabbit, guinea pig, or chinchilla is dealing with dental or other GI-related issues, don’t hesitate to call us for an appointment. Routine annual wellness exams are recommended to screen for early signs of disease.