Wild Bunny Bloat

[Kailaeve1271]

So I rehabilitate wild rabbits. For those who are wondering yes, I am liscensed and yes, I keep the wild ones away from the domestic away from each other and go through a disinfecting process between interacting with each.

Now recently I obtained a baby cottontail (still highly reliant on milk). It’s eyes weren’t open yet for a few days after I received it. I’ve had it for nearly 2 weeks now and am starting the weaning process because I feel the rabbit is in a healthy enough condition to start. Now to the point at hand, about 4 days ago now I look into the rabbits enclosure for feeding time to hear it gurgling and it had severe bloat. At the time I had no access to gas drops for it. So I made baby food with water, banana and pumpkin extract. I don’t know that exact measurements since I was rushing to save it. I force fed it this for a while. When I was about to give in and think of what was the most humane way to put it down so it would no longer suffer. Then if began to deficate and pee in my hand. The gurgling stopped. The next morning it’s belly was still swollen, but not hard so instead of giving it milk replacer I just gave it about 1 tsp of water to prevent dehydration. Then that night I fed it. I continued this process until today. It is back on it’s regular feeding schedule with no sign of the incident.

I wanted to let people know this worked for me in case they need to try something for their own kits and I was also wondering has anyone tried something similar with domestic kits and had the same results? Does anyone think the bloat may come back in my kit?

[BenjiTheBunny]

do you think it was bloat or g.I. stasis?

[Sirius&Luna]

It sounds like gas and stasis rather than bloat. I think bloat is incurable and results in death, from what I know about it.

Since he’s young and young bunnies have sensitive GI tracts, I would guess that it is possible that he would develop gas and stasis again. I would get some gas drops in. Sadly, it seems that some bunnies are just prone to stasis, but since he’s young and has only had one incident, I don’t think you should assume it will definitely happen again.

[Kailaeve1271]

I assumed bloat because he had symptoms similar to when guinea pigs have it (which I have personally experienced with my guinea pigs) and his belly was super swollen. Hard as a rock, literally.Now that I’m looking into GI more that does seem likely as well. I really hope it was a one-time thing. Would it even be safe to release him once he is of age? I’ve never had a Cottontail have this before so I’m not sure what would be best for him

[Sirius&Luna]

Honestly, I have no idea about releasing him, the ethics of it, and what would be best for him. But I’m sure he’d have a longer life if you kept him.

Hopefully someone with more experience with wild bunnies will chip in!

[Kailaeve1271]

The main reason I release once they are of age and health is because they generally live less than a few months in captivity but several years in the wild. That’s where I’m conflicted. Where could it live longer after this scare?

[BenjiTheBunny]

well maybe is you have the space and time, you could try to keep him? If you decided to do that maybe because he is so young, he would become used to captivity and would live longer? Just an Idea. hope I could help

[Kailaeve1271]

We put him in what used to be my bunnies run which is impossible for him to get out of even if he digs and nothing but humans can get in. I’m going to allow him to forage and best in there and check in him every other day. If I’m a few months he’s still fine then I may decide to fully release him. Does this sound like it may work?

[BenjiTheBunny]

that sounds like a good idea.

[Author]

Messages