So I found the baby gas drops (simethicone) at the grocery store today and they were on sale, so I bought some to have on hand.  I really don't know how to use it, though.

How much do you give, and how often can it be safely given?

How long does it typically take to take effect?

How do you administer it?  Can it be squirted on a carrot or something, if the bun is still eating?

Is it difficult to overdose?  I can imagine with the dropper, that just getting one drop in the mouth or something would be difficult.  If you give too much, will it be an issue?

 

Anything else you think a first time bun owner should know about simethicone too, would be great!  

1. The outside of the bottle should have directions for dosage. Just stick with the dosage for the smallest babies. The brand I buy suggests 0.3 ML for babies under 25 lbs - of course, that could be different for yours.

2. I haven't given Simethicone to my new rabbit, but with my older rabbit, it usually takes 30-45 minutes for him to start eating and hopping around. Usually, he's back to normal after 2-3 hours. I'd say that if your bunny isn't better about 2 hours after you give the medicine, you should get them checked out.

3. It's really best to just use a feeding syringe. That way, you know just how much the bunny took. Most Simethicone is flavored, so if a bunny is still eating a little, they might take it like a treat. If the bunny isn't eating, just force-feed it as you would with pellet mash or other medicines.

4. I've heard that it's very hard to overdose a bunny with Simethicone. If the bunny isn't eating or grooming themself and you dribbled a little, it's fine to give the bunny a little extra. (I've done it myself a few times.)

I have one suggestion: Get a 1 ML oral syringe. It works much better for giving medicine than the dropper that comes with the Simethicone.

How much do you give, and how often can it be safely given?

It does depend on the strength of formula you got. Typically the baby one is 20mg/ml and you can give 1-2mls. You can give adult gel caps but just adjust the amout you give. The guidelines in using it is give a dose once every hour for the first 3hrs. Then you can continue to giive a dose every 3-8hrs after the intitial 3 doses.

How long does it typically take to take effect?

That really depends. On the bunny and their sensitivities. Also if gas is actually the problem. I've given it when I suspect gas but can't always be sure. I have also seen a result in half and hour same as FluffyBunny when gas was the culprit. With gas I massage the abdomen and use simethicone.

How do you administer it? Can it be squirted on a carrot or something, if the bun is still eating?

If your rabbit is still eating, they probably haven't got a problem. : ) Using the dosing syringe is really the only way you can be sure they get it.

Is it difficult to overdose? I can imagine with the dropper, that just getting one drop in the mouth or something would be difficult. If you give too much, will it be an issue?

As FB has already mentioned, it's difficult to overdose them. It works mechanically by breaking down surface of gas bubbles. It's not absorbed into the intestine.
I usually put the syringe in the gap between their front teeth and molars. Just be sure not to point it down the throat as they could aspirate any liquid given that way.

In this article there is a paragraph about simethicone under the sub-heading "I: Mechanical Treatments"
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html

Most Simethicone is flavored

FB, what flavour(s) can you get it in? Ive only found one brand here in Australia and it doesn't seem to be flavoured.

I have only ever just found "sweet" flavored to get kids to accept it easier.  My bunnies when they are on the upswing of being sick like the Simethicone as it is sweet.

And I agree- you cannot really overdose Simethicone as it works mechanically to break down gas bubbles and is not absorbed.  But giving more than recommend would be a waste of money.  And it is debatable it it really even helps- but I have used it- and it does not HURT a gassy tummy so I will continue to use it.  My bunny vet is of the opinion it does not help- but it does get 1-2 more mls of "fluid" into them and does not hurt them.

And it is debatable it it really even helps

Of course, I can only speak from experience but I've dealt with a lot of stasis/gas issues and, more often than not, the simethicone does the trick after a dose or two. I think it's an absolute must for any bunny owner. After each dose of simethicone, I usually give a tummy massage which can help break up gas bubbles. (a good stasis link which details bunny massage method: www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html

I use Ovol brand. It has a minty smell to it and the buns hate the taste. I always offer them a sweet treat afterwards to get the yucky taste out of their mouth and even when they are not willing to eat anything else, they will often take the treat.

I've given it and it's safe, I've read you cannot OD.

Though it is 'can't hurt might help'-if your bunny is in trouble I'd get thee to a vet instead of dosing with OTC, unless you've had similar episodes and that is what your vet said to do.

I have a Question to add. do you use this when they aren't eating like critter care? Yesterday I was at a pet store and they had animal syringes on sale but they were still like $8! and they looked like they were flimsy and would break easily. Were do you guys get them? do they sell them for humans? I am kinda lost lol.

Maybe try farm or horse supply store though they could be too big for rabbits. Or else try infant oral syringes at a drugstore.
With simethecone, there should be a dosing syringe with it. Also, your vet would supply syringes if you were to get critcare.

ok thanks.