Scary gas sounds?!

[Ella]

My rabbit has been very gassy last night and today. He is still eating his greens, hay and any treats normally.

I can hear all the gas popping around in his belly! I have given him a couple doses of gas meds already. His belly does not feel super big but there is a small hard bubble or knot or something right under his ribs over to one side. I can hear and feel the gas moving when I gently massage this spot.

He is not hunched up or pressing his belly to the floor or grinding his teeth or anything that makes me think he is in a lot of pain. He has been flopping and stretching out like normal. 

I have never heard such loud gas coming from him and I just don’t know how serious gas can be and how concern I should be.

I have been giving gas meds and belly massages when he lets me.

The only difference in his diet is he has had some kale the last few days and hasn’t had kale in a while and also dried willow leaves which he has never had before.

What else should I do?!? Will this pass or could this turn into something serious if not handled properly? I am worried 

I wanted to add that he also hasn’t pooped a whole lot today but he is also gives me a fright with this often. He won’t poop for enough hours to make me worried and then all of a sudden I’ll check on him and there is a mountain in his litter box! 

[Luna]

Keep continuing the gas meds and massages, and I would cease the dried willow leaves for now until his gas passes. It’s good that he is otherwise normal, and as long as he continues to poop, the hard spot would be the only thing that would be concerning because I’m not sure if it could be just a gas bubble that will be broken down by the gas meds and passed, or whether it’s something else.

[Ella]

Thanks, Luna. I will stop the willow and probably the kale and just give him some wet leafy greens for dinner.

The hard spot concerns me because I am wondering if it could be a blockage like fur? He does not like me to brush him and though I try at least once a day, I am rarely successful. I am not good handling him and making him tough it out for just a few minutes! 

He has been sick a few times these past two months and I can’t help but feel to guilty! He is my first rabbit and I’m trying my best but I am not the very good at it. 

[tobyluv]

Since he hadn’t had kale in a while, it would probably be good to stop that also. It could just be a coincidence, or the kale may have something to do with his GI distress. Besides giving him the gas meds, make sure that he is active and running around. That also will help to expel gas. You may also want to skip the treats for now. If it is fruit or something with added sugars, that can cause gas. The best thing for him to eat is hay. If he still has that hard bubble tomorrow, you may need to contact your vet and make an appointment.

[Ella]

Yes, I am going to cut out kale. It will make him sad because he loves it! I recently cut back on his pellets as part of his meals so through out the day I give him a pellet or two every now and then through out the day as “treats”. 

He suddenly got a burst of energy a little bit ago and started to run some laps so that made me happy to see!

The hard bubble seems to have gotten better in recent hours and he has had a couple good poops. 

He ate all his dinner and seems to be feeling a bit better but I can still hear his belly making more sounds than usual! It is very fast popping sounds. Earlier they were louder and farther apart, now they are faster and a little quieter. So, I just don’t know what is going on with him today. 

I do think he is getting better than he was earlier but I am still going to watch him very closely.

[Luna]

The change in gas sounds could be the larger gas bubbles breaking down into smaller ones, which is good. As for the brushing, a few of us have ordered/begun to use the glove brush, and have reported good effectiveness and less stressed buns when they get brushed by it. It’s inexpensive and might be worth looking in to if your bun doesn’t like regular brushing.

[Ella]

Eli is doing much better today. Eating and pooping normally. His belly sounds and feels better and he looks a little better. Thank you both for your help! It is so appreciated.
I will look into the glove brush!

This little bun sure does know how to scare me! Maybe he know it gets him a lot of extra attention and head rubs….. as if he doesn’t get enough!

[tobyluv]

I’m glad to hear that Eli is so much better! Since he loves kale, which so many bunnies do, you could try it again in the future, but in very small amounts to see if it affects him.

[Author]

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