Hard stomach

[Ella]

For awhile now, I have been feeling Eli’s stomach each day, it’s a habit I haven’t broken from when he had stasis. I have noticed that for about 4 or 5 hours, sometimes more, after he eats there is a hard ball beneath his ribs and I am assuming this is his stomach. It is rock hard sometimes and it would probably fit in the palm of my hand. Some days it is bigger than others. Sometimes I give him simethicone because of this even though there aren’t always gas sounds and he never seems to be gassy. 

He is eating and drinking completely normal, he is pooping normal, and his activity level is normal. Based on this, I can’t tell if I need to be concerned about this hard stomach. If I feel lower on his belly, he feels soft again. 

I wondered about bloat but from what is sounds like, bloat is very painful and rabbits tend not to eat or be active when this happens. 

It sounds like a hard stomach would not be normal but EVERYTHING else about him is so normal right now. 

I never really felt his stomach before he had stasis so I don’t know if it has always been this way. I have been noticing this for about a month now.

It goes away when he hasn’t eaten in awhile, as in overnight, but it comes back after a meal. I just don’t understand what is is since people say a bunny’s belly should be soft…

[Muchelle]

So it wasn’t there before? If it feels like a solid hard mass, please get to a vet to have an ultrasound or an x-ray performed just to be sure it’s not a solid blockage… in my experience bloat is kinda hard-ish but doesn’t feel like a solid object. Maybe some more experienced members can say more on the matter

[Ella]

I’m not sure if it was there before he had stasis about two months ago. I don’t think it’s a blockage because it comes and goes. In the mornings when he hasn’t eaten anything, it is not there but after his breakfast it will be there almost all day.

He is always eating and pooping normally and he has been for a while now. That’s why I am unsure of it if is something normal or not…

[Wick & Fable]

I would get it checked because of his hx of stasis. If it comes up fine, I wouldn’t worry about it coming again because Wick gets a hard side/belly for a while after he eats. Although he’s never had an x-ray or been checked for it before, he’s healthy and fine everywhere else, so it could be a natural part of the rabbit anatomy.

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.

[REBEL&ASH]

Did you figure out if it was normal? Im dealing with the exact same situation. He eats, drinks and poop and pees normal. . . He has had bloat before. But this doesn’t seem the same because he isn’t acting like he is in pain. But he was ok with me rubbing it. Which doesn’t seem usual. I was just curious. It just makes me sick when I don’t know whats going on. Since there is no real rabbit vets near me, I try to know my bunny and as much about his health as possible. Please let me know.

Thanks

Rebel&Ash

[Bam]

Sometimes a bun that has a bit of gas accepts tummy rubs even if they won’t let you touch their tum otherwise. Have you tried baby gas drops( Simethicone)?

[Alfiesmom]

Wick, I’m glad I came across this thread because I was about to post about rabbit stomach. Alfie’s side gets a bit firm after he eats, too. I check underneath as well but it feels normal, so I always assumed it was food in the stomach since he eats/poops/drinks normally.

[Author]

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