Require Assistance Immediately – Possible Long Term Bloat?

[RudeRubicante]

First I would like to state that this is not my own pet that I am talking about.

As a known rabbit owner, I often get my neighbours asking me how to help with grooming and what’s a good food schedule. 

However, the latest to ask me this has me highly worried.

They have a Dutch named Daisy,  a rescue rabbit of 3 years old.

She had been losing the fur on her back and was heavily overweight – but I don’t think that’s the only thing going on.

After a month of me helping out with exercise, diet changes and grooming. Though the rabbits coat has improved, she still suffers from dandruff.  Whilst I can treat the dandruff with ease that is not my main concern.

My concern is her belly, which feels bloated and like a warm water balloon – it always felt like such, but I wasn’t sure if it was bloat or just fat due to the fact her owner says she’s been like that for a while now.

My first assumption would be bloat, but due to the fact that bloat would have killed her in days I’m now doubting it is.

I’m having trouble persuading this owner to take Daisy to the vet, she in her own words said “I prefer natural cures as opposed to drugs and needles.”

I’m fighting a brick wall here, and I don’t know what to do. Please advise.

[Roberta]

Let your neighbour know that many good vets will look at and offer natural or alternate remedies and the stomach issues could be fixed with simple diet adjustments suggested by the vet. That will at least get her in the door.

[jerseygirl]

There can be various things causing distended or ‘pendulous’ abdomen. I think in you’re right in your conclusion that it is not bloat. From what I understand, that is normally acute and yes, often fatal. The rabbit would be showing signs of pain.

They have a Dutch named Daisy, a rescue rabbit of 3 years old.

Do you know if she is spayed?

I’m having trouble persuading this owner to take Daisy to the vet, she in her own words said “I prefer natural cures as opposed to drugs and needles.”

I’m fighting a brick wall here, and I don’t know what to do. Please advise.

Im not certain if you can do much more then you already have, unfortunately. Other then intestinal parasite treatment if she’s showing any hallmark symptoms..

[RudeRubicante]

Yes, she is spayed.

Only symptoms of discomfort I’m seeing is she grunts when being picked up – but I’ve been told she’s a rabbit with anxiety issues, so it’s new territory to me in that regard.

[Bam]

A distended belly sounds like internal parasites or possibly hepatic coccidosis to me. I’m assuming you’ve not seen any worms in her feces or you would’ve probably mentioned it. The loss of fur and dandruff sounds like fur-mites.

Since she is a Dutch, she may not tolerate ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug that in many countries is obtainable without a prescription. Other anti-parasitics that should be avoided with animals that have a mutated MDR1-gene are ivermectin, milbemycin oxime, moxidectin, selamectin, and doramectin. There are other dewormers though like panacur (fenbendazole) that are safe for dogs with the MDR1-defect. I don’t know about Dutch bunnies though, but if it’s the same gene, it should be safe for them as well.

It’s often extremely difficult to sway people who for some reason have rejected conventional medicine, I find it’s almost like trying to reason with a religious or politically convinced person: It goes beyond reason. And you can’t really debate feelings/emotions.

There are some natural dewormers like grapefruit seed extract, papaya, pumpkin seeds, and turmeric that may be safe to try.

Thank you for helping this little rabbit, it’s very good of you. It seems like she needs you a lot. We’ll be happy for updates!

[Author]

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