She could just be overweight. What’s her breed and weight? What’s her diet like? It could also just be how she looks. My Bombur’s tummy covers his feet and he’s perfectly healthy (except for EC, but that has nothing to do with it).

Is your vet rabbit savvy? Do you feel any lumps when you press around the tummy?

I fixed your pictures.

Oh dear… that doesn’t look right. Has she been checked for worms? Tapeworms can cause the abdomen to become distended.

I do not know your vet, but I do know that some vets claim to be rabbit savvy, but in reality are not quite experienced as they believe they should be. This looks quite abnormal. Has any x-rays been taken?

Is it possible to consult another exotic rabbit vet? The pictures are quite telling, so if you could even email the pictures to some, you may get responses.

Do you mind sharing your location? Perhaps some people here would be able to help find some rabbit savvy vets around your area.

That really does look quite abnormal. Unfortunately we aren’t vets but am so sorry that you’re going through this and having a difficult time finding good vets.

Individuals can react to parasites differently, so it’s possible. Plus they could be at very different stages of infection.

Kurottabun is right, we aren’t vets. Anything we suggest are just thoughts, but maybe we can give you some ideas that you take to your vet. Hopefully someone can give you some vet suggestions too.

That being said, I was thinking of other things that would cause something like this. One thing that comes to mind is ascites. In rabbits, it’s most often associated with congestive heart failure. Obviously, I have no clue. Just throwing some thoughts out there.

They should do ultrasound to discern what this may be. I agree tapeworm is a possibility. The cysts can grow really large and the abdomen is common place for them to grow in.

More sinister possibilites are as LBJ said, ascites. Or abscessation and/or tumour, but I would suspect she’d be a lot more poorly if any of those things.

Here’s a list of some rabbit savvy vets in the UK.

To check for worms, a vet will need fresh samples of her droppings. If you don’t mind doing it, you can check through her poops, pulling them apart and see if you notice any worms. Not all poops will show worms, but if she does have them, hopefully you could spot some, then you would know what could be wrong with her. Even if you don’t spot any, you still need to take samples to your vet to be checked. Or the vet may want you to bring her in so that he can try to get fresh samples.

I know that you said she is having trouble cleaning her bottom, but one sign of worms is that the rabbit excessively grooms the area. So if you see her trying to do that more than normal, it could be another indication of worms.

I hope that the vet can make a diagnosis soon and that your bunny can get treatment that will help her.

There is a vet by the name of Dr Simon Girling who is an exotic specialist. Although I do not know if he currently still practices where you are. The address for Girling & Fraser Vet Practice was UNIT 3, Breadalbane Terrace, Perth PH2 8BY (*possible* email: mail@vetsinperth.com)

Im seeing there is a Fraser and Girling training business in my online search also. Even if now just a training organisation, they could be worth contacting to give recommendations for other exotic vets.

Did you check the list on the RWAF? You could also ask your current vet if they could refer you somewhere that does specialise in rabbits.

There’s the gold rated Hospital for small animals RDSVS in Edinburgh, which could be worth investigating. It really is important to have a vet that is an expert in rabbits in these situations.

Noises are normally a symptom of gas, but some bunnies do have gurgling tummies without it progressing to them stopping eating.

You could try some simethicone (sold as Infacol in the UK). Just give her 0.5- 1ml once an hour for up to three hours – it helps to break up gas bubbles.

Im not sure how far you’ll get with that email address I posted. The website that was associated with it no longer exists.
There is some contact details right at the bottom of this page (the consulting/training firm). https://www.girlingandfraser.com/
Goodluck!

Yeah, bloat is something that comes on fast and it often fatal. She wouldn’t be eating and acting normal if bloat. Not bloat as we know it in rabbits.

Bloat can certainly look like that. My dog (when she was still alive) had bloat once and it was very scary. The vet had to put a tube down to her stomach to relieve the gas. And yes, her stomach was very distended.

Since your bunny has had this for awhile and is eating/pooping and otherwise acting normal, I dismissed the idea that it could be bloat.

I have just Googled Perth and Kinross, its near where I lived for a while, then I lived in a B+B and could see Loch Ness, I never saw Nessie, anyway if you put in Google vets and where you are and click on maps, you will get a list of vets, if its too far to travel with the bunny maybe a bunny savvy vet will come out to you, but it will be expensive for a call out.
I saw a rabbit like this years ago, I’m not saying it is what I saw, your bunny could be fine, but best to get the bunny some help and bloods and x-rays just in case and peace of mind.

Worms would be the least worrisome thing, so hopefully that is what it is. Tapeworms are usually what cause the stomach to become distended. Pinworms cause the itchy butt, but typically not the distended stomach.

Hmm… I know Panacur is used as a general anti-parasitic in rabbits. It’s used for pinworms, etc. but how effective it is against tapeworms, I don’t know. MediRabbit says Praziquantel or Niclosamide. I wonder if anyone here knows.

The rabbit that I had who had tapeworm was given one injection of Droncit (Praziquantel).

Goodness I would agree that bunny doesn’t look normal at all. I do hope you can find out the cause and manage to treat it. Worming as a prevention in this instance is certainly something I’d recommend. I would be making the vet give my rabbit a wormer in this instance and you can request an x-ray if that’s what you want.

Make sure to tell them that you know your rabbit and you know for a fact that it isn’t normal.

Just a thought: has your girl seemed hungrier or more eager for food than usual? Because that often is a secondary sign of a worm infestation (after the poops).

I agree with the others. Her abdomen is NOT the shape it should be, which to me strongly suggests something foreign inside her. A rabbit savvy vet would have suggested an x-ray or ultrasound right away. Sorry, my dear, but I strongly doubt your vet’s so-called experience treating buns for anything more than mites etc.

Your frustration is perfectly understandable. You clearly love your bun and want what is best for her. Since she is eating and pooping well, I woyld venture to another town to see a bunny specialist. But definitely exhaust all vet possibilities in your area first.

I would have links liver checked as well. Some liver diseases will make the stomach swell out to the sides and so won’t stomach cancer. ( We just had our dog put down with similar appearance) hopefully it is neither of these. I am unsure how common it is in rabbit. But blood work , ultrasound, x Ray’s should be done. Being under weight but bulging stomach is a sign of something wrong.

I would have links liver checked as well. Some liver diseases will make the stomach swell out to the sides and so won’t stomach cancer. ( We just had our dog put down with similar appearance) hopefully it is neither of these. I am unsure how common it is in rabbit. But blood work , ultrasound, x Ray’s should be done. Being under weight but bulging stomach is a sign of something wrong.

Oh no!! I am so sorry – and so angry – for you and your poor bunny!
Good for you for standing your ground! I can’t imagine any vet saying no to an x-ray – maybe that’s just because I figure they would want the money anyway.
I can’t even imagine your frustration!!

Sending good vibes your way!!!!

Glad that you were able to find another vet but angry that the previous vet did that to you too. Hope Link manages to pull through the week and get the appropriate treatment for her condition soon! Sending you lots of good vibes xxx

Crikey, how maddening! What the hell is wrong with some doctors? Who knows the bun best, if not a loving parent who observes them closely every day and can spot changes? I hope the Panacur does the trick and that next week’s appointment is more fruitful and positive. Sending love (((((((Link)))))))

I’m sorry you’re going through this. It makes me mad how some vets seem like they never went to vet school. I hope the new vet you go to can help her, poor thing. Make sure to monitor her closely and if anything new pops up, let us know.

Keep up the progress little one!

Lovely girl!

She looks so beautiful, though I do have a particular fondness for black or white lops I really hope your new vet is able to give you some answers. It’s just dreadful to think 1) They can look at your sweet rabbit and think she’s okay. Not going to lie, I was very shocked by the photos. I’d have thought she must be in such pain and discomfort but the fact that she’s continuing to eat is a brilliant sign that she’s a stubborn little thing! And 2) that they would just refuse to xray her. Although it might be for the best that they didn’t conduct anything like that as they are clearly uneducated about rabbits. I wonder if there is an organisation that you can report them too? Once your little one is on the mend.

I’ve watched a video about a guinea pig with chronic bloat. Her tummy would bloat to such size that she had trouble walking. So when I see this image I think of either gas or fluid in the tummy because it’s not looking like just a lump or fat. But yes I’m not an expert at all, it sure does not look healthy to me though.

Edit: Nevermind didn’t see that there’s already 3 pages, I only read the first one.

Sorry to ask, but has this new vet taken blood samples yet?

Have you tried simethicone, in case gas is an/the issue after all?

In some bizarro cases, apparently yes. Simethicone is almost always the first resort bunny owners try when any suspicions of tummy trouble arise. I personally don’t think it’s gas bloat, as the pain would likely stop normal eating habits, but since simethicone never hurts, it’s worth a try for a day or so, to see if there’s any improvement – and that way you could maybe rule out gas bloat??

I know when I get bad gas I can look 6 months pregnant… so maybe in a bunny? But even then that is more than excessive.
The baby gas drops wont hurt her to try though as it isn’t absorbed into the blood at all, it passes through their insides and out with their poop.

Thanks for keeping us posted and sending good vibes!

Wonderful! What a refreshing breath of fresh air to find someone willing to legitimately try and find out what is going on. Very happy for you and your little girl.  Fingers crossed this is something that can be dealt with sufficiently. 

Aw, I’m so glad to hear that your new vet is determined to find the cause. I think it’s awesome also that she admitted that this was new to her. You need complete transparency when it comes to medical care. I really hope the sample they took and/or the xray can shed some light on what’s happening with your sweet bunbun.

I really hope she can help your baby, she sounds like she will be a great help to you.

Ok. A start. Thank goodness. It’s hard trying to solve a problem without knowing all the variables. Thanks for the update, and here’s hoping! *fingers crossed*

Oh no! I am SO Sorry to hear that!
The hardest part of owing any animal is having to say good bye. Just know you did everything you could and you gave her an amazing life while she was with you.
<>> and big hugs to you!

I’m so sorry. So sad. I cry for you and with you. You tried so hard. You obviously loved her so much. You were superb in doing everything you could. Saying goodbye and losing someone you love is one of if not the greatest pains we experience. It will be hard for a bit. I understand the not wanting to go through the experience ever again. I’ve been there. Again I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you.

Binky free {{{{{Link}}}}}

I am so sad and sorry to hear about your beautiful bunny Link. You did everything you could to help make her better.

So hard to lose a bunny as Gordo said saying goodbye to someone you love is one of the greatest pains we experience. You gave her a wonderful life with you. So upset for you.

Binky free Link x

Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear about Link. It’s clear that she was loved very much. Don’t feel guilty, you did everything you could for her.

I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of your sweet Link. She knew how much you loved her and that you were doing all you could to help her.

I am so saddened by your news. :'( You did all you could to give her a fighting chance. And you loved her enough to ultimately let her go. Somewhere over the rainbow, she must love you so much for that. (((Binky free, Link.)))

So sorry to hear that. Take care xx

Binky free over the rainbow bridge Link…