How I Treat... Cecotrophy-Related Disorders In Rabbits.

INTRODUCTION
The term cecotrophy refers to a normal behaviour in healthy rabbits that consists of eating soft faeces, called cecotropes. These special faeces are originated in the caecum are grouped in clusters and covered with mucus. The cecotropes constitute an important source of nutrients for the rabbit, including amino acids, volatile fatty acids, vitamins and enzymes.

Disorders affecting the formation and the intake of cecotropes are common in rabbits kept as pets. It is essential to establish a precise diagnosis of the predisposing causes for a proper treatment.

PHYSIOLOGY AND FORMATION OF THE CECOTROPES

Rabbits are strict herbivores, and their digestive system is designed for the ingestion of foods that rich in fibre. The digestion in the stomach and small intestine is similar to that of monogastric species. The large intestine receives mainly non-digestible fibre that is separated in the proximal colon according to the size of the particles. Coarse particles of undigested fibre move distally and are excreted in dry, relatively hard and fibrous faeces. ...