Bloat or gas?

[Neurotic bunny mom]

Hi! My bunny recently had to go through surgery because his stomach was bloated, he was very active and eating well at the day this happened, binking around and all, he ate and an hour after that I offered him a treat and he didn’t want, I thought that was strange and took him to the vet right away, he had an xray that showed that his stomach was bloated, but his belly was soft.

since them I’m paranoid, I see him active and eating and I just feel insecure whether he is ok or not, today I felt that he has some gas, I rubbed his belly and stomach and felt gas bubbles, I gave him some simethicone and I’m taking him to the vet today, but can anyone please tell me how to differ gas from bloat? Because I do feel like his stomach is bloating but I’m not sure if it really is or is just paranoia, last time that happened the vet said it was just gas and his stomach wasn’t bloated.

I’m afraid all the time this will happen again

[LBJ10]

True bloat is when the stomach rapidly fills with gas and becomes distended. The stomach will feel hard. The condition is extremely painful and rabbits are often euthanized when suffering from it. I’m not sure what the problem was with your bunny the first time around, but a soft belly doesn’t match up with true bloat. When it’s “just gas”, there can be gas buildup throughout the GI tract. The stomach doesn’t necessarily feel hard, but it might feel a bit fuller. Gas can be painful, but can be alleviated by helping the gas escape.

[Neurotic bunny mom]

I’m having a hard time posting a picture of his X-ray when he had surgery, but what he had was indeed a true bloat, his stomach was about four times bigger than the normal size

[LBJ10]

This article gives a good description of bloat: http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_diseases/Bloat/Bloat_ena.htm

[Neurotic bunny mom]

I’ve read that article, it’s really good, but the thing is that when he had it, his stomach felt really soft, just slightly bloated, by the end of the day at the clinic it looked liked he had swallowed a balloon and his stomach still felt pretty soft, he also looked really relaxed, laying stretched out and everything so this is very confusing to me as I’m having a really hard time figuring it out if is just gas or a bloat!

btw today was just gas, he’s feeling a lot better now, but I still worry about his stomach, the said it was okay but I’m thinking about doing another xray to see if that will bring me some relief

[LBJ10]

Are you using the add media feature to upload photos?

Hmm… what you’re describing is very interesting and puzzling. I’m glad your bunny is feeling better now. I would be concerned though too if his stomach filled up with gas like that. Bloat is not a common condition, so it probably wouldn’t hurt to take another x-ray. Perhaps the vet can determine what the cause was.

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