Bloat or just food?

[Joeythenethie]

Hi everyone

My bunny has been experiencing a distended stomach for the past day. He’s had it in the past too, but nothing serious happened (the belly “shrunk” back down on its own). He just ate his pellets and is eating his hay and drinking his water as normal. I’m wondering if he may be developing bloat, or if it’s just how his stomach works after eating. It was distended yesterday, but after massaging periodically for a few hours it went back down. He does show some symptoms of gas, as he’s sitting with his bum on the ground and his front end more upright (sort of like a yoga pose), but not very often. Usually he’s just “loafing”. Other than that, he’s acting normal and doesn’t seem in pain. No teeth grinding or biting, he’s running around as normal. Any ideas?

[Bam]

Bloat is a serious condition with very high mortality rate and not the same as lighter bouts of flatulence. That said, it’s very good that you keep a close eye and intervene at first symptoms. Gas can be very painful for a bunny.

Do you have baby gas drops (simethicone)? They often work very well and fast, too, in about 20-30 minutes. Simethicone plus very gentle tummy massages and a bit of running around are often all it takes to get the gas out. Simethicone is not absorbed by the body but acts locally in the gut and comes out with the poop. It’s recommended by Medirabbit and dr Dana Krempels for gas/tummy trouble.

If he has this problem sort of ongoing or very often, I’d look into his diet. Questions you could ask: Is he getting enough fiber? Is he eating a good amount of grass hay? Is he drinking enough water with his hay?Do his pellets have a high percentage (at least 20%) fiber? Are there some veg or vegs that might not be agreeing with him?

Bunnies can have varying sensitivities and intolerances. F ex my Bam can’t have carrot (the tops are fine though) because it gives him sticky poop.

Running around is very, very good. It helps the intestines move.

[Joeythenethie]

Alright thanks, I’ll be off to pick some up today. What would the dosage be? He weighs around 2 pounds (1kg).

[Bam]

You can give 0,5-1 ml for the first dose. It’s very difficult to overdose. Then you wait an hour and give another dose. If it hasn’t worked after 3 doses, it’s likely not going to.

It’s very good to have in the bunny first-aid kit.

Some buns will eat it if you drop it onto a leaf of lettuce etc, but many buns really, really hate the taste and have to be syringed it.

[jerseygirl]

Joeythenethie, I think this video is worth taking a look. I watched it again last week. There are quite a few in the series and they are very informative.
Rabbit 911 Abdominal Palpation

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