Rabbit Stomach Bloat: Causes, Symptoms, and Remedies

I. Symptoms of Rabbit Intestinal Obstruction and Gas Buildup

1. Mild Symptoms: In some cases, rabbits may not exhibit any clear signs of illness, but suddenly stop eating and drinking.

2. Behavioral Changes: When released from their cage, affected rabbits may show a lack of interest in play, preferring to stay alone in a corner or adopt a hunched posture resembling a chicken.

3. Gastrointestinal Distension: Rabbits may stop eating for several days, yet their abdomen grows increasingly larger. Upon movement, you might hear a "gurgling" sound, indicating fluid movement within the abdomen.

4. Frequent and Severe Hairballs: Before the onset of symptoms, rabbits may experience multiple or severe hairball occurrences.

5. Palpable Intestinal Obstructions: Upon palpating the rabbit's intestines, you may feel dry, hard particles. Pressing on the abdomen may cause pain, and the rabbit may have difficulty defecating.

These are common signs of intestinal obstruction and gas buildup in rabbits.

II. How to Address Rabbit Intestinal Obstruction and Gas Buildup

1. Adjust Diet: Stop feeding commercial rabbit food and provide unlimited Timothy hay. Continuing to feed pellets while the rabbit struggles to defecate can exacerbate the condition. Timothy hay's roughage aids in intestinal motility.

2. Abdominal Massage: Gently massage the rabbit's abdomen in a clockwise direction, gradually working towards the anus. If you feel hard areas in the intestines, apply more pressure, but ensure the rabbit remains comfortable.

3. Encourage Hydration: If the rabbit refuses to drink, offer a small amount of fresh celery or celery juice after two days without voluntary drinking. This helps prevent intestinal dryness and promotes lubrication for easier defecation.

4. Manage Hair: If the rabbit is in a heavy molting phase, break open the rabbit's feces to check for excessive fur. If found, administer a hairball remedy, trim and clean the rabbit's fur, and prevent overconsumption of fur to avoid further obstruction.

5. Monitor Defecation: After two days, the rabbit should gradually pass small, granular feces. Pay attention to any white mucus in the feces, as this can indicate inflammation. If so, administer antiinflammatory medication promptly.

6. Gradual Return to Normal Diet: Continue monitoring the rabbit's diet until it recovers. Once defecation returns to normal, slowly reintroduce Timothy hay and, after a few days, introduce a small amount of pellets. Gradually increase the amount of pellets until the rabbit's diet is back to normal.

OxyPet Doctor's Tip: Rabbits have delicate digestive systems and are prone to gastrointestinal issues. It's crucial for owners to learn about rabbit digestive health and prevention before bringing a rabbit into their home. Please take this seriously!