FORUM

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

FORUM HOUSE RABBIT Q & A 3 days post-surgery and swollen stomach/not eating

Viewing 3 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • MK_Liven_Good
      Participant
      2 posts Send Private Message

        My rabbit Gypsy went in for a neuter surgery on Monday, but they also noticed a lump on his abdomen during the physical exam. I said to go ahead and remove it while he was already going to be under. It turns out the lump was a tumor attached to his GI track. The vet said the surgery went well and there were no leaks found in his GI track. 

        It has now been almost three days since the surgery and he is still not eating on his own. The vet instructed us to give bunny critical care, so we have been doing that since bringing him home on Monday night. He is also on pain meds, antibiotics, and a antacid. On Monday night he had a really gurgly stomach that progressed into a very swollen abdomen. One side seems to be more swollen and hard. He has only made a few pieces of poop and is now almost refusing to swallow the critical care. 

        He will drink water and is peeing which is good. We also have been rubbing his belly and giving him warm packs to try to alleviate the gas buildup. I also gave him a few doses of simethicone which didn’t seem to alleviate much. 

        Should we continue force feeding even with a swollen stomach?


      • jerseygirl
        Moderator
        22356 posts Send Private Message

          I think it’s probably time to have him reassessed at the vet. It really needs to be established why the stomach and/or abdomen is swollen, perhaps via ultrasound or xray. And a review of his pain medication and dosage too. Some can affect appetite but it is important to have adequete relief too, so another type may be of more benefit. 

          Sending many {{{vibes}}} for Gypsy!


        • Muchelle
          Participant
          1141 posts Send Private Message

            Keep massaging, possibly while keeping his butt higher than his chest (be extra careful about his stitches!!!), ask the vet about motility medications (plasil/debridat for example). He should never stop eating, so ask the vet if it would be beneficial keep feeding him with small doses (4-5ml every 3 hours) to reduce the load while keeping his guts going. Does he drink/pee fine?

            In case he resumes eating on his own a little bit, avoid at all costs sugary foods (pumpkin, carrots, fruits) and “gassy” foods (cauliflower and similar) because the fermentation could worsen his gas situation. Keep in touch with the vet and keep going, I hope everything turns out fine for this little one <3


          • LittlePuffyTail
            Moderator
            18092 posts Send Private Message

              I agree. Make sure the vet knows about his current condition.

              Have they sent the tumor for testing?

          Viewing 3 reply threads
          • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

          FORUM HOUSE RABBIT Q & A 3 days post-surgery and swollen stomach/not eating