Simethicone?

[sophie*bun]

Hi everyone,

I’ve read some articles online about simethicone and dosages and other good stuff. Just wondering if your bunny has gas episodes how much do you give them? Do you find that it works well? Has anyone ever had problems with simethicone effecting their bunny? What brands are you using?

Thanks, I appreciate your feedback!

[wendyzski]

Simethecone is a must-have for any bunny home.  I find the easiest is to get the drops made for infants at a regular pharmacy – mine is walgreens brand.

Simethecone works by physically breaking up the gas bubbles by decreasing surface tension.  It is not absorbed by the body so you don’t have to worry about it interfering with another medication.  It’s the first line of defense when your bun seems to have a tummy ache, as it can’t hurt and may well help.  I’ve never read of anybun having anything like a bad reaction to it.

I’ve only had to use it once – my bun pretty much has a cast-iron tummy.  But one time she got a free sample packet of metamucil out of the trash bin and blew herself up like a furry little balloon!  I spent a worried night with her, dosing every 4 hours with tummy-rubs and offering food and water, but she was fine in the morning.

[sophie*bun]

Thanks wendyzski,

I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about it from people and articles online. I asked my vet about it and she said she doesn’t think the simethicone helps them. But so many people seem to have used it and it worked, so I am willing to give it a try.

Hopefully it will never happen again (keeping fingers crossed), but if it does I have something to help her along

The only brand I found so far is Ovol and it was mint flavoured.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

The good thing is you cannot overdose on it

I bought ‘ovol’ brand -it’s in the baby section of the pharmacy. I used it several times in the past but not for a long time so I tossed it. I don’t have any on hand at the moment but we have 24 hour pharmacies everywhere here so it wouldn’t be a prob to grab in a pinch. I would totally recommend it, and if your ever not sure if you should-you just go for it because you can’t overdose and you won’t cause problems if you give it and don’t need to

I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about it from people and articles online. I asked my vet about it and she said she doesn’t think the simethicone helps them. But so many people seem to have used it and it worked, so I am willing to give it a try.

I think that’s a communication error-my vet originally said the same thing. Semethicone does not fix the problem-but it does cure gas. So if the rabbit is in stasis or has another problem causing poopy bum -they are not going to magically get better from giving it-but it does relieve the painful gas, which helps to get them eating agian AND can help them make it to a vet. But semithicone is just that-a gas treatment. So it’s not a cure-all or an antibiotic, or pain med-and I think that’s what your vet means. Like taking tylenol when you’ve got a colld-it makes you feel better but it’s not going to cure your cold you know?

[Beka27]

Another brand in the US is Mylicon. It’s used for infants.

Gas behaviors are most noticeable by the bun stretching their tummy on the ground, acting somewhat listless, and repeatedly shifting position. I’ve used it and the gas behaviors have gone away. Other times I have not used it, and the gas behaviors have also gone away. So I can’t say for sure if the drops helped or not, but they don’t hurt to give in small doses. I think vets are very cautious about recommending them b/c they don’t want you to give them and think the problem is solved. If the bun is in stasis, it’s important to get them into the vet for treatment.

[KatnipCrzy]

I think it is great to have on hand to dose if your bunny is acting a little off- like a bellyache.  But if you do not see improvement within 12 hours or less- you need to take the bunny to a vet.  Obviously all cases will be different like Jess&Peters bunny who was hypothermic, along with gut issues- her taking Peter to the vet surely saved his life after his temp dropped dangerously low.

If your gut feeling is “my bunny seems a little off”- then try dosing Simethicone, but if you are truly scared by how your bunny is acting- then take them to the vet.  Or if you know your bunny ate something dangerous- like possibly ingested something that could cause an impaction (carpet fibers, etc)  or something that is stringlike- any signs of acting not  right- they need to see a vet ASAP.

[sophie*bun]

Thanks to Kokaneeandkahlua, Beka27 & KatnipCrzy for your informative replies. I appreciate your help!

I’ve only ever had two gas episodes with Sophie and she acted exactly how you guys said, always shifting, lying down on her tummy and not wanting any of her lettuce (which is a red flag right away because she usually goes crazy for it). She drank lots of water though and it seemed to help a bit when we made her run around and massaged her tummy.
We took her to emegency right after and by the time we got there, she was better, so the vet didn’t have to do anything.

This way at least I can have something to help her with the gas.

How many mL do you guys give your buns (1-2 mL or under 1 mL)) ? How often?

Thanks again you guys!

[jerseygirl]

Dosage is usually recommended as: 1-2 ml every hour for the first 3 hours, then 1ml every 3-8 hours afterward. This is for strength 20mg/ml. I think Ovol is 40mg/ml so I’m thinking then you give 1/2 to 1 ml instead. You can also use tablet form or 1/2 the125mg gel capsule(for adults) I believe.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I’ve just given 1/2 ml every four hours-you can’t od but I like to play it safe-again mine is the Canadian Ovol-so the mylecone one that Beka mentioned is likely what you’d buy.

[sophie*bun]

Thanks jerseygirl!

Which one do you prefer, liquid vs tablet?

[sophie*bun]

Posted By Kokaneeandkahlua on 03/11/2010 08:13 PM
I’ve just given 1/2 ml every four hours-you can’t od but I like to play it safe-again mine is the Canadian Ovol-so the mylecone one that Beka mentioned is likely what you’d buy.

I live in Calgary, so we’re pretty close

I’ve only checked Shoppers Drug Mart so far and found the liquid stuff with mint flavour.

Which Ovol do you buy and where do you get yours from?

 

[jerseygirl]

Mmm… I’ve only tried the infant one. Infacol in Australia. It’s a bit stronger too so I give less. I just think it would be easier to syringe in liquid than get them eat a tablet. I guess you could crush it and mix with something they like. When they have gas though, it’s hard to get them to eat anything.

[sophie*bun]

Yeah that’s a good point jerseygirl. They don’t want to eat anything when they got gas. I’ll have to check other drugstores for more brands over here.

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