Can a whole ear of miniature dried corncob harm a bun?

[lashkay]

I’m worried. I just read Whiteout’s article on Bunny Diet from Dana and I’ve been giving Buddie dried miniature corn ears, he started on his third one today and finished eating the kernels off a whole ear the day before and a partial ear a few days before that.  I hadn’t realized how harmful they are to bunnies. I hope he doesn’t have it impacted in his intestine. Thank you for posting that article! I hope it’s not too late I read it.  Does anyone know if eating a whole ear of miniature dried corn off the cob and part of two other ears could be enough to impact their intestine?

Also, simethycon, not that I’d give it to him for this, but I thought it would be good to have on hand.  Do you need a prescription to get it, or is it available over the counter at the drugstore, where do you get it?

[jerseygirl]

I don’t know if it would harm him but if you’re in doubt, maybe don’t give him any more in the future. Keep his hay coming as that will help anything pass through. The article does give warning about corn, so I would avoid all.

Simethicone is basically in baby gas meds. I think in US it called Gas X (baby version) or Ovol. You don’t need a prescription. No doubt you’ll find in at the drug store. We can get it in supermarket here.

[lashkay]

Thanks for your reassurance, Jerseygirl, that’s what I wanted more than anything. I just hope I haven’t done too much damage with the amount of corn hulls that’s in him. He has unlimited access to Timothy hay and I’m transitioning him over to Timothy-based pellets right now. i just hope he’s eating enough hay. I just ordered some Love Grass from BB Store which he loved last time I gave it to him and I’m planning on getting him some oat hay as well, see how he likes that. He also seems to be drinking more water since I gave it to him in a crock. So hopefully this will pass…this episode, as well as the corn hulls! Thanks also for the info about simethycon, do you know what the dosage is for a rabbit?

[jerseygirl]

Sure.  This is direct from another Dana Krempels article. ( http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html  )

B. Simethicone

 (liquid, pediatric suspension or tablets) is essential for the relief of gas pain which usually accompanies ileus. For relief of acute gas pain, 1-2 cc (20mg/ml suspension) can be given as often as every hour for three doses, then 1 cc every three to eight hours. This substance has no known drug interactions, is not absorbed through the intestinal lining and acts only on a mechanical principle: it changes the surface tension of the frothy gas bubbles in the gut, joining them into larger, easier-to-pass bubbles. Simethicone is practically inert, and is safe to give, even as a precaution, as long as it is not given long term. (Note: liquid suspensions of simethicone are relatively expensive. Less expensive versions, such as 125mg gel capsules are equally effective. A bunny can safely receive the contents of half a capsule at the rate described above.) A flatulent bunny is a happy bunny!

This is another article that I keep on hand along with Dana’s http://www.mybunny.org/info/gi_stasis.htm

 

[Sarita]

As long as he is still eating and drinking you should be fine.

[Sarita]

Also for impaction – hydration and fluids are the best thing to keep the gut moving if that ever becomes a problem. That will allow for the impaction to soften and move through the gut – I’m not saying your rabbit is or will become impacted from this but that is the best way to move the impaction through the gut. Gas is usually a secondary symptom of an impaction according to my vet as well.

[lashkay]

Thanks for the articles, Jerseygirl, I appreciate it, hope I never have to pull it out but you never know. I now will keep them on hand too. Thanks for the info about USA names for simethicone, as well. I just spotted another ear of corn in his haybox! Got that out of there fast.

Thanks, Sarita for the info. He is eating and drinking, so knock on wood, the corn hulls in his system will pass and there will be no more of them! At least he has only miniature ears of corn to pass and not regular sized ones!

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