Sensitivity of the Rabbit's Intestinal Tract

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The bacterial populations in a rabbit's intestinal tract are

considered the most delicately balanced of any in all herbivorous

mammals.  The growth and activity of normal (favorable) bacteria

tend to keep potentially harmful bacteria in check.  Overgrowth

of harmful bacteria usually results in production of toxins that

are rapidly absorbed into the rabbit's circulation, quickly

causing illness and death.



In addition to orally administered antibiotics, other insults

can disturb the balance of bacteria.  Rapid changes in the diet

are most often implicated.  For example, a rabbit's diet was

suddenly changed from alfalfa pellets to oats because the pet

owner had run out of rabbit pellets.  The rabbit died within 24

hours of this diet change.  Another case of sudden death involved

a pet rabbit that ate a large quantity of oatmeal cereal and died

the following day.  A third rabbit was allowed to consume huge

quantities of lawn grass.  Its intestinal tract was not

adequately prepared, and the rabbit died the same day.



No other commonly kept house pet is as sensitive to dietary

changes as the rabbit.  Consequently, such changes should be

made very gradually.  Supplements to the regular diet should be

added cautiously and should not constitute more than 20% of the

total diet by volume.