bloating?

[Enzo the bunny]

About an hour ago I notest that my bunny Enzo’s stomach felt hard when I picked him up. I felt around a little and it feels like a very hardball I am not sure what it is. He seems a little bloated but he is eating, drinking water, and not acting in pain. I don’t know what to do!!!

Please Help!

[Bunny House]

Hi, did you recently give him any new veggies or fruits? Is he still pooping? It could be the first signs of stasis. I’m not sure how experienced you are with rabbit    care and if you have a emergency care box for them. He might have a blockage but without xrays, we won’t know. Do you happen to have gasX? It is in the baby medicine isle.  You can buy it over the counter at grocery stores, it is a gas drop for babies to help pass gas, it has simethicone in it (and nothing else additional, which may make bun sick)( you can give 1mL every hour until it resolves because it is not digested by the body). Do you happen to have critical care from oxbow? You can give some of that to make sure his GI tract keeps moving.  If nothing else, I would recommend going to your vet rabbit savvy vet if he takes a turn to make sure he is still okay.

[Enzo the bunny]

thank you very much for your reply as I am worried about him and new to bunnies. He is still eating and pooping but the hardball in his stomach is still there. I am going to the store to pick up gasX and a critical care pack for him he does not seem to be showing any signs of pain. I’m not sure about vets there are only four in Alaska where I live and they are very expensive.

[DanaNM]

You can also try a tummy rub and encouraging movement. Is he showing any signs of pain?

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Enzo the bunny]

no sign of severe pain although he is hopping funny because he is bloated. I have been giving him tummy massages which he seems to enjoy the vet isn’t open today but I emailed them and might go tomorrow

[DanaNM]

If it is true bloat (vs. gas), then it is an emergency. Here’s some info on bloat (warning there are some necropsy photos):

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_diseases/Mechanical_diseases/bloat.htm

However, the fact that he isn’t showing signs of pain makes me think that it probably isn’t bloat?

Sometimes after eating my buns tummies will feel pretty firm and full. How large is the area that feels hard?

If you are able to, can you take his temperature? (helpful video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZd10Hk0maA) A low temp is indicative of a more serious problem.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[LBJ10]

Dana – This is what I was wondering too. Is the entire abdomen hard? Or is it more like a “lump” up by the rib cage? Sometimes you can feel a full stomach. It will feel like there’s something big in there, but it’s just a stomach full of food.

[Enzo the bunny]

It’s more of a lump by the rib cage thank you so much for the videos and pics that was very helpful. I don’t think it’s a full stomach although he did eat this morning.

[DanaNM]

With bloating I believe the whole abdomen swells up and feels hard, so if it’s a lump it seems like it would be something else?

If he’s eating and pooping normally, and doesn’t seem in pain (no tooth grinding, squinting, or sitting hunched), I would monitor, and ask the vet about it tomorrow. If you are able to bring him in they can tell you if it’s a normal lump (like a full stomach), or abnormal (like a mass, an abscess, etc.). Hopefully it’s just his tummy full of hay. 🙂

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Enzo the bunny]

Ok thank you we are going to the vet tomorrow to check it out I sure hope it’s a full tummy of hay!

[LBJ10]

I’m going to guess it’s a stomach full of food. Let us know what you find out.

[Enzo the bunny]

We just got back from the vet it turned out that he was in GI stasis luckily we caught it soon enough he is getting lots of fluids. The lump was food that was not passing through. Thank you guys so much!

[Hazel]

Aw poor thing, I’m so glad you figured it out in time. Any changes yet?

[Enzo the bunny]

his tummy seems to be a tiny bit smaller he isn’t eating now but I am giving him mashed up lettuce which he is half-heartedly eating I think that he will get better in time though fingers crossed!

[DanaNM]

Oh man, glad you caught it! Did the vet prescribe pain meds?

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Enzo the bunny]

yeah he got pain meds and more anti-bloating stuff

[DanaNM]

Ok good. Pain management is very important. How is he doing now?

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

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