What does prone to gas mean?

[GlennTheLionhead]

Hello!

We had another bout of gas from Nellie tonight. Of course this happened at 11 pm so we began treating at home. She had some loxicom, smithecone, a tiny bit of water and light belly rubs. An hour and a bit later and she’s taken a treat and some carrot tops had a good groom and has returned to a relaxed flooped position. I will stay up for another hour or so to monitor her for continued sign’s of improvement.

To those of you familiar with Nellie you may remember we’ve been having issues with these repeated episodes of appetite loss and occasionally full stasis (usually when it happens overnight so symptoms progress to stasis while we are sleeping and unaware). The cause still remains elusive. We got rid of veg and within a week she had another episode so we reintroduced limited veg as she enjoys this. One of our vets mention her long hair could contribute as she often has strug together poops, she is a seriously, seriously fluffy bunny, however, another vet suggested because she doesn’t have blockages, hair cannot be the cause. I have heard some bunnies are just prone to gas.

What does prone to gas really mean? Is this some kind of genetic predisposition? Or does this mean she has a very sensitive GI system? Are there things that can be done to help buns that are prone to gas? I feel like I have brought this up a few times but it is something that is a big hindrance to her and us, it racks up a lot in vet bills and disrupts work due to the urgency of not eating. We are really keen to help her but just don’t know how. Our rabbit vet was a bit apprehensive about invasive tests and xrays as she isn’t losing weight and seems generally okay so any procedures may not be worth the stress and risks to an older bun, we think shes about 7 now.

Thanks!

[LBJ10]

Some bunnies are just prone to gas and GI upset. For some, it could be genetic. For others, perhaps they just have a sensitive digestive system. One of my bunnies was prone to gas, but it always seemed to pass quickly. He was always that way, even from a young age.

Have you looked at her pellets? Sometimes bunnies have trouble with certain “filler” ingredients.

Fur and molting have been linked to gas episodes in some rabbits. They don’t have to have a blockage in order for a bad molt to cause gas. What about those digestive supplements? Sherwood and Oxbow both have their own versions.

[Bam]

I too have had a bun with a sensitive stomach. He was like that always, but the seriousness fluctuated. He could have horrible bouts of sticky piop, I often had to give him butt baths. It didnt seem to affect him much in terms of appetite or energy, although when he was gassy he wouldnt eat of course. I sat up many nights with him in my lap, a fleece blanket over him, I gave him dimethicone baby gasdrops, light massages and lifted his butt, put him on the floor and pushed him (very very lightly) to walk for a bit (he was always reluctant to move during his bouts), then repeat. Then he snapped back to normal again and things could be fine for weeks or months. I never figured out what caused it, but he did best on fresh grass and v little pellets. (Fresh grass must be introduced very slowly, until the bun is used to it).

The cause could be genetic, or acquired. Probiotics helped Bam some, but never fully.

[DanaNM]

My understanding is it’s either genetic or a result of disrupted microbiome (or possibly a solid microbiome never established, such as due to early weaning or poor diet as a baby).

I had a foster bun with hotot type markings that had very severe gas and cecal dysbiosis issues. The vet suspected a genetic condition related to the innervation of the gut (cecal dysautonomia), as coloration and pattern is linked to the amount of nerves around the cecum. This is a very understudied area of rabbit medicine. In that bun’s case, his symptoms were very severe and he never returned to “normal” really. His poops were always unformed and a mess.

I don’t think that’s what’s necessarily going on with Nellie, but given her coloration it does make me wonder about a genetic link. Is she keeping muscle mass on? Do her poops look normal in between gas attacks?

I think if the episodes start to increase in frequency I would probably try to get some imaging done during an episode. The anesthesia required for x-rays is very light and 7.5 is not too old. I think it would also be reasonable for you to work with your vet to develop a more advanced at-home treatment plan for these attacks, since they happen a lot. Perhaps adding in sub-Q fluids or a motility med would be warranted (also check that her pain med dose is big enough).

As far as diet, I agree that checking out the pellets is a good idea. I’ve also heard that some people have good luck with incorporating more varieties of grass hay. I recall a presentation from a vet who worked with the San Diego HRS who said that they recommend feeding a blend of timothy, bermuda grass, and another hay I forget (maybe oat?). Bermuda grass is typically seen as a “low quality” hay, but perhaps that’s why it’s good for buns? The more fiber the better!

. . . 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.  

[LBJ10]

Yes Dana, I always wondered about non-genetic GI problems possibly being the result of a microbiome not getting properly established. Many rabbits are weaned too early and it probably isn’t unreasonable to say that many do not get an appropriate diet at a young age either.

[Bam]

The workings of the bunny GI system are extremely complex and fine-tuned. Your post reminded me of this great lecture from the House Rabbit Society:

https://youtu.be/uriYlqGHaiY

It doesnt explain why exactly your bun is prone to gas, but it makes it quite clear just how immensely complicated the rabbit GI system is and how its pretty much totally dependant on the presence of a very large nr of different microbes.

Obviously with such a complex system, many things can go wrong along the way, and things dont even have to go like very wrong for the disturbances to have an impact. Stress changes the pH in the cecum, and so on. It doesnt even have to be what we’d deem “bad” stress.

 

 

 

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