Dorian keeps having upset stomach

[prince dorian the bun]

At least I think that’s what he’s happening.  He will be perfectly fine and then start acting weird. He’s a very social bun with us, and all of a sudden he just runs away when you approach. He also won’t eat, which isn’t always a sign as both him and Miu are difficult bunnies in that area. They eat their hay just fine, but supposedly every other Monday we don’t eat greens, and on the 3rd Wednesday we shun all fruits and veggies.  🙄 They are a drama couple. Anyway, the running away, not eating and then hunkering down really make me think upset tum. Luckily every time so far as soon as we notice it, we give him simethecone and if he will stay still a belly rub and within half an hour (almost to the minute) he is right as rain. I have the perscription bun pain meds in case that doesn’t work,  but so far that’s all it takes. My worry is the have been happening somewhat frequently (I want to say only a couple weeks apart). He hasn’t gotten as bad as I have seen him in the past, but the frequency worries me. Vet visit he got a clean bill of health,  his poops are beautiful specimens, except for a chain every now and again.  Miu is oddly the one with random tiny poos, but she’s been fine. He has been molting for months,  which is not usual for him, but it’s finally at the end. Could that be all it is? And is molt weather or temp triggered?

Sorry such a long post!

[prince dorian the bun]

He seems to be having issues again today already. I just gave him a tummy massage and a couple poops came out and then he peed on me. I gave him some simethecone and am not waiting. Hopefully he is back to normal soon.

[Bam]

It could be the molt, but the mechanism isnt known. Iy’s just sth most bun owners notice at the onset or during particularly heavy molts. I assume both Dorian and Miu get the absolute best and bunny appropriate food, so that wouldnt be the problem. Any bun can of course be intolerant of  certain foods, pretty much the only way to suss out what foods is through an elimination diet.

It’s very typical for a bun to hold its pee in instances of pain/discomfort. Then if/when the pain stops, the bun just pees right there and then. So it really seems that the tummy massage and gas drops gave him great relief.

[DanaNM]

I wonder if he’s sensitive to a particular veggie or pellet ingredient?

My first house bun Bunston had a bit of a sensitive tum. He would get gassy from ANY brassica (kale, collards, arugula, etc.), not just things like cabbage and broccoli that are known to be gas inducing.

. . . 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.  

[Bam]

My bun Bam was very sensitive to carrot, of all things. The tops were fine, but the actual carrot wasn’t. He could eat other sugary foods (in small amounts of course), but even a small piece of carrot would cause gas and/or sticky poop.

[prince dorian the bun]

I thought about diet, but as Miu is a bit of a picky princess and I have not been foraging for their greens due to wanting them fully vaccinated first, it’s been pretty consistent. Just mixed greens with occasional store bought dandelion. They don’t get that treats often. Pellets are same oxbow brand he got once I switched him to adult food. Maybe it is the lack of forage greens though? He usually had way more variety of more fibrous greens. He has been good so far since last time. I might start adding some forage back in as they are now a couple weeks past their last vaccine. I’m just glad that massage and simethecone is working.  I also try and get him to move about. I do have metcam in case it doesn’t resolve after an hour from vet. (Obviously would take him in if it went on much longer or he was getting worse). I wish I knew how to prevent it.

Thanks both of you! I hate seeing him sick.

[Bam]

Its alway more difficult to give advice to an  excellent bun owner like you 😂 Hay (and fresh grass) is always the most important component of of a bun’s diet. Hopefully you can forage some fresh pesticide-free grass now that the vaccine has taken hold. The RVHD-viruses are more or less endemic where I am, but since we got the vaccines back in 2016, I have been foraging for my buns. Spring grass can cause stomach upset because its full of simple sugars, but that’s just spring grass.

I think your best bet is to try different grass hays. Dont spend a fortune on hays, you can often buy horse hay so cheap that you can use it as as a topper in the litter boxes. Chances are the buns wil have a go at it while they’re doing their business in the box!

Greens other than fresh grasses are not very important nutrition-wise for buns that get good quality hay and a daily ration of good quality pellets (such as Oxbow).. They’re to be considered as enrichment rather than a significant source of nutrients.

[prince dorian the bun]

Oh could heat gave triggered it? We had a couple of days where it skirted around 80F inside? Dorian is finally done molting other than the area around his tail, just in time for Miu to start. At least she’s not as sensitive about being plucked or brushed. As long as she’s got a snack she couldn’t care less.

[LBJ10]

I don’t doubt that heat could cause him to feel unwell. Some bunnies have a higher tolerance than others, even if they are in an air conditioned house.

Another thought – Could he be chewing/eating something he shouldn’t. A secret drywall or carpet chew spot?

[prince dorian the bun]

Dorian likes chewing cardboard boxes, he’s quite the artist. He doesn’t eat the cardboard though. Miu does, she eats lots of non food items and is much more prone to chewing than Dorian. He will copy her sometimes, but not found anything worrying. (Miu did destroy a pair of my son’s slippers,  but Dorian is off the hook there as they required him going on slippy floor which he won’t do).

He has been issue free since the 12th, hopefully it was heat or such. It’s been a lot cooler.

Oh and the do get a base of Timothy hay with small pet select gourmet blend as a topper (it’s a variety mix). Realized the time for the vaccine to fully take is 2 weeks not 1, so waiting a bit longer. My vet really encourages a variety of wild greens, especially plantain and dandelion. Also would prefer I didn’t really feed pellets to Dorian with his stomach issues,  but I give a small amount as treats and mostly for Miu as she could gain a little weight and is a picky eater, but loves pellets. It’s too hard to separate them.

Really I would think Miu would have more issues,  but she’s fine.

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