Bloating and Constipation

[Nova]

 As a hotot mix, Boon is prone to GI problems. He’s been treated for Stasis and Mucoid Colitis in the past and he’s not even a year old yet.

 

Last night he played hard, wore himself out and then ate way too much…. his belly feels bloated, it’s gurgling occasionally and he’s not pooping very frequently. About 1-2 stools an hour. His appetite is normal and he’s playing right now; binkying but just seems constipated.

I called his vet clinic and the rabbit wise vets aren’t in today. They’re going to call me back later tonight, but it’s the weekend and I’m wondering if you guys have any suggestions in the meantime.

I don’t want this to turn into a medical emergency of course. I have some leftover cisapride, but not sure if I should use it. I have been giving him extra hay, less pellets, Acidophilus drops directly by mouth, and Papaya Plus supplements.

 

Help

 

[Stickerbunny]

Tummy massages can help (place bun on the ground and gently massage in circular motions on the sides if he won’t let you touch the underside). Last time Powder was bloated and not pooping I gave him tummy massages off and on throughout the day and he went back to normal. Simethicone can help if it is gas.

[Nova]

Thanks Stickerbun
The vet’s office just called back and said to try an inch of Cat Lax to help lubricate his intestines. If that doesn’t work, they are there til 4pm tomorrow and I’ll call.
Gonna go pick it up right now but I’ve never heard of this remedy…. What do you think? Hope to hear any thoughts on this before I go ahead and give it to him.

[Nova]

Well, they didn’t have CatLax but they had Petromalt and Laxotone. Called vet’s office while I was at the pet store and they said it was the same thing. Got the unflavored kind – some of them actually had catnip in them. EW. Made sure ingredients didn’t have anything like that. The main ingredient is Petrolatum (sp?)

Cleaned out his litterbox before I left-

Came back, and he had lots of poops, so I don’t think I will be needing this tonight afterall.

BUT for the future…. no one has any experience with it??

[Sarita]

With petromalt? That’s pretty old fashioned and most vets I know who see rabbits don’t recommend this.

I’m glad there are lots of poops – I would encourage lots of hay for awhile.

[Nova]

The hay thing is a no brainer
The vet who recommended it wasn’t the usual rabbit wise vet I see. That doesn’t matter though. I’m more concerned with whether this would hurt or help my bunny.

Why do you suppose vets don’t recommend this anymore?

[Monkeybun]

Because it really isn’t helpful to rabbits, from what i understand. their digestion is different than a cats is. Best thing for bunnies to keep things moving is hay and water. If he gets bloated after eating, you may want to change his veggies, and possibly give him smaller amounts, a couple times a day instead of one big pile. What does he currently get fed?

[bunnnnnnie!]

Simethicone is a great thing to have on hand for a bloated bun.  Sending you good vibes, stasis is heck to deal with.

(Edited to remove possible bad word, I forget there’s young folks on here sometimes.)

[Nova]

Hey, thanks guys for the input. I thought there might be a catch, since I’m pretty rabbit-savvy and never heard of the theory before. Only link that is seemingly legit about it is here http://www.wisconsinhrs.org/Articles/Bunny%20Stops%20Eating.htm
but other than that, and a few other isolated articles, I can’t find anything on this. The only thing I think cats potentially share with rabbits is megacolon issues.

My buns diet!
I’m very cautious about this considering Boon has been treated for Stasis before, a previous bun who dealt with megacolon, and I had a previous bun who died from it. Hotots in general seem prone to megacolon and stasis.
My buns’ primary food is Oat hay (I’m deathly allergic to timothy), no more than a 1/4 cup of timothy pellets (divided into two times per day), romaine lettuce and occasionally carrots and green leafy veggies like parsley. Their treats are the Oxbow biscuits, they get about one a week. I supplement their diet with Pet Authority Acidophilus+ and Papaya every other day.

He sure did fart a lot, lol. He’s doing lots better now.

[BinkyBunny]

While some digestive issues can be related to diet and/or teeth issues, sometimes, some bunnies just happen to have sensitive tummies. (megacolon issues, etc).   Oat is a high fiber hay and so as long as he is eating plenty of that, it shouldn’t be a problem.  

Regarding the petromalt.  Many years ago, even I would have recommended that, but because of what I have heard, I no longer use that.  I have heard that it doesn’t allow moisture to get into the intestines, can cause a barrier), and hydration is what is really important during a gi stasis issue.  HOWEVER, where I read that or heard that I do not know, so I will have to do some searching to back that up! 

UPDATED:  Found at this little tidbit — maybe where i got it from??  

 (sorry about all the strange font and color differences — html code is freaking out with my copy and paste actions

Petroleum-based laxatives: use with caution.  SOURCE http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html

Laxative-grade mineral oil or commercial products such as Laxatone or Petromalt do not affect intestinal motility. Some veterinarians prescribe them in the hope that they might help to slide dry, impacted matter through the intestine more easily.

Note, however, that if the intestinal contents are severely dehydrated and brick-hard (yes, we have seen this!), a coating of vaseline-like substance over them will merely impede their re-hydration and make it more difficult for the mass to break up and begin passing normally. For this reason, it is probably wise to concentrate on re-hydrating the intestinal contents before using petroleum-based laxatives, if they are to be used at all.

Note also that whereas malt-flavored remedies in a tube are often preferred by the bunny, some vets believe that their higher viscosity may actually contribute to holding a mass of impacted food together, especially if the intestinal contents are dehydrated. Unscented, laxative grade mineral oil is less viscous, and may be more effective. Always administer such substances with care so that the bunny does not aspirate (inhale) any. Petroleum-based laxatives should not be given daily or long term, as they can impede the absorption of important, fat-soluble vitamins.

 

 ——————————————————————————

According the this article  http://www.angelfire.com/fl/RabbitRescue/gistasis.html (section I-B), if given daily or long term it may strip the instestine of important vitamins. 

 

Petroleum-based laxatives(Laxatone, Petromalt, mineral oil) do not affect intestinal motility, but may help to slide dry, impacted matter through the intestine more easily when used in conjuction with intestinal motility drugs. Whereas flavored remedies in a tube are often preferred by the bunny, some vets believe that their higher viscosity may actually contribute to holding a mass of impacted food together. Unscented, laxative grade mineral oil is less viscous, and may be more effective. Petroleum-based laxatives should not be given daily or long term, as they can strip the intestine of important, fat-soluble vitamins. Note that some very experienced rabbit vets believe that these products are of no use whatsoever in treating GI stasis. (SOURCE: http://www.angelfire.com/fl/RabbitRescue/gistasis.html) 

 

 

I am glad though for whatever caused your bunny’s improvement!! YAY!!

 

[RabbitPam]

Interesting about the Petromalt. I must confess, I gave her a 1/2 inch of it last night, and she had a healthy litter pan deposit this morning. Gave her the same dose about 4 days ago. Which means, I let her have a small taste once only, and it was effective enough to get things moving again. Vastly different from an inch of it several times a day, or several days in a row which is not good.

I have used it for years and don’t recommend it here due to the above info. but frankly a wee bit does seem to do the trick. So on my last visit to the vet with her (tummy trouble) I asked my vet what she thought of it. She said it was not going to do her any real harm (barring the more serious situation described above) but likely won’t do much good either. When my bunny seems otherwise healthy, showing no sign of pain or lack of movement, I try a little bit of it first. If she gets better soon, it was helpful. But if no change, I wouldn’t give a second dose, I’d contact the vet.

[Nova]

Thanks for the great resources & experience – the bio.miami.edu database is probably the best, most thoroughly informative resource I’ve ever come across, so if it says it there, it must be for real.

And, ironically, the petromalt/laxotone at the pet store said in big lettering, “NO PETROLEUM” so I’m guessing they are on to something when they mention that the petroleum can be bad for the bun. Even without petroleum, though, they all contained mineral oil which has similar properties as petroleum.

I’m glad I didn’t *need* to give it to Boon, but if his condition would have worsened I’d have tried about a half an inch until he saw the vet the next day; only because I was pretty sure it was more of an impaction issue than a slowing of motility (he ate too much and didn’t drink enough) – and – Pam’s not the only person I’ve read online who has had some success with it. But yeah, if it could make matters WORSE I’m very cautious about it.

[kinggoblin]

I keep baby gas drops (simethicone) on hand just in case for gas.

[Sarita]

Well, an impaction is caused by a gut slowdown, so the petromalt is not going to help with gut motility. 

Here is an excellent article by Dr. Susan Brown DVM, who is a vet who specializes in small animals and is the on the board of The House Rabbit Society as their health director that explains this:

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-7/gi.html

Here is a portion of the article (but I highly suggest you read the full article):

Some people like to use laxatives, and enzymes. I too, have used these products in the past, but have found that they really aren’t necessary. I have equal success in treating this condition with or without enzymes. It is important to remember that enzymes of any kind (pineapple, papaya or pancreatic) do not dissolve hair. But the real keys are hydration of the stomach/cecal contents and getting the GIT moving again.

And this quote:

It is unnecessary to routinely use laxatives, enzymes and other supplements. Let’s stop trying to play “catch up” treating stomach crises all the time and feed our pets the type of diet they were designed to eat.

[Nova]

Posted By Sarita on 03/11/2012 07:28 AM

“Well, an impaction is caused by a gut slowdown, so the petromalt is not going to help with gut motility. “

Not necessarily. It could be a lintball, a hairball, dehydration, etc. which is why you should never add a gut motility agent if an obstructed impaction is a possibility. That would be very painful and would need to be surgically removed. I realize the vet in the article doesn’t believe in that but hairballs have caused obstructions and it’s impossible to know the difference until you get a sonogram, not to mention how hard hair is to digest. It pretty much is indigestibe. 

. I was thinking more along the lines of him eating too much, but I wasn’t sure. Plus, both Boon and Nomies are shedding like a fur machine, which concerned me about hairballs. I do think a one-off dose of Laxotone/Petromalt has the potential to help in the event of a hairball, at least until he saw his vet the next day – which he didn’t need to do, as it resolved itself after a good bellyrub.

“It is unnecessary to routinely use laxatives, enzymes and other supplements. Let’s stop trying to play “catch up” treating stomach crises all the time and feed our pets the type of diet they were designed to eat.”

I agree – the routine use of that stuff can actually cause problems.

However. That vet should stop playing the assumption game that everyone is an irresponsible pet owner. Every responsible house rabbit owner knows that nothing could replace the important fiber found in grass hays. And I do believe that hair and other tough material is very hard to digest for a bun, and could contribute to impaction. Other than that statement, I found the article to be very informative. And papaya and pineapple supplementation certainly couldn’t hurt as as an occasional treat.

 

If I ever suspect a hairball again and it ends up being a Sunday I will likely use the Petromalt but  I will not substitute it for medical attention. I suggest anyone else with a problem like this to treat it as a medical emergency… because that’s what it is, it’s a medical emergency. and a painful one. 

 

[Sarita]

Totally agree Nova, always see the vet to get a proper diagnosis and treatment, nothing can replace that.

[RabbitPam]

Just want to add that a few months ago Sammy gave a small indication of digestion discomfort, and I might have tried a bit of petromalt and waited, but decided to call the vet and ask what she thought since it was a Saturday morning. (And the vet closed at 2PM and was closed Sunday.) Sure enough, she had me bring her in. Her first hope was that “car ride therapy” would help, ie. movement on the road would shake her a bit and get her to go. No luck. I ended up staying there for 4 hours, chasing her around the examining room after she got injections of fluids and meds so the movement would help. Eventually, we went home with meds and critical care, and had poopies about 3 hours later. Some of you may remember.

My point is that I was so grateful that I took our own advice here and didn’t wait or try to self medicate, but took her in. She would have been in some very serious trouble by Sunday. (and my vet’s tech. pointed out it would have meant emergency vet hospital care elsewhere, big bucks, too.)

[Danceteach]

Recently one of our sweethearts got a hairball, He couldn’t eat and nothing was coming out. He was trying to gag and that wasn’t working. We did some Massage but I had read somewhere that Pineapple juice would break it up. We used a syringe to make him drink it. I think he liked the taste he just couldn’t swallow it without help. Three doses over a 24 hour period. As much as we could get down him. The hairball broke up and everything passed. It does work and this rabbit lives on pellets by choice and little greens and treats. He is very finiky which may have been some of the problem to start with. Complete recovery.

[Sarita]

That’s wonderful that worked for you that time Danceteach. Of course, there is no way for any of us to diagnose another member’s rabbit and the cause for their rabbit not to eat and we always would recommend that member seek the advice from a vet.

Many times our members will post that something has worked for them in the past, but even then, there is no way for them to know the actual cause for their rabbit to stop eating and then start eating again. And there is no guarantee that what they did in the past that got their rabbit to start eating again will work again in the future.

[Nova]

I am totally freaking out… would’ve written sooner, but I think the forum was down.

Yesterday Boon was totally bloated and stopped pooping again. but still eating. Then he was passing the clearish yellowish jelly mucus just like last time, so I got him in to the rabbit wise vet. She put him on Baytril, and this time instead of Cisapride, she put him on a few days worth of Reglan…. because it is easier to obtain and get on hand since this motility issue is becoming a common occurrence with Boon. Unfortunately after two doses Boon started acting strange; very jumpy and didn’t want petted. Then he started passing large soft stools and even MORE mucus. so I ran him to the vets again, this time the rabbit wise vet wasn’t there… and the vet he did see, said to stop Reglan and all motility agents because it is “obviously causing diarrhea.” She took a stool culture that will be back in a week, and under the microscope she saw some bacteria but not much, and instructed us to keep on the Baytril. I mentioned his agitated reaction to the Reglan so I am going to have compounded Cisapride on hand for the future instead of the Reglan but no Cisapride -or- Reglan tonight.
We gave him Bene-Bac with his Baytril tonight, and removed pellets entirely; his diet is strict hay and green leafy veggies.
I’m glad I didn’t give him any Laxotone!

The problem is, is that he still pretty much not pooping. Maybe one large-ish soft stool an hour, if that, and it’s usually covered in the yellow jelly. He doesn’t feel bloated anymore tho.

Any help will be so appreciated

[Nova]

Posted By Nova on 03/16/2012 09:03 PM

I am totally freaking out… would’ve written sooner, but I think the forum was down.

Yesterday Boon was totally bloated and stopped pooping again. but still eating. Then he was passing the clearish yellowish jelly mucus just like last time, so I got him in to the rabbit wise vet. She put him on Baytril, and this time instead of Cisapride, she put him on a few days worth of Reglan…. because it is easier to obtain and get on hand since this motility issue is becoming a common occurrence with Boon. Unfortunately after two doses Boon started acting strange; very jumpy and didn’t want petted. Then he started passing large soft stools and even MORE mucus. so I ran him to the vets again, this time the rabbit wise vet wasn’t there… and the vet he did see, said to stop Reglan and all motility agents because it is “obviously causing diarrhea.” She took a stool culture that will be back in a week, and under the microscope she saw some bacteria but not much, and instructed us to keep on the Baytril. I mentioned his agitated reaction to the Reglan so I am going to have compounded Cisapride on hand for the future instead of the Reglan but no Cisapride -or- Reglan tonight.
We gave him Bene-Bac with his Baytril tonight, and removed pellets entirely; his diet is strict hay and green leafy veggies.
I’m glad I didn’t give him any Laxotone!

The problem is, is that he still pretty much not pooping. Maybe one large-ish soft stool an hour, if that, and it’s usually covered in the yellow jelly. He doesn’t feel bloated anymore tho.

Any help will be so appreciated

Well now he’s passing few little dehydrated poos. they are very tiny and dried out. He is eating still. Not drinking much. Starting him on Critical Care now.

[RabbitPam]

I hope he’s shown some progress these last few hours.
I’m glad you took him back for a change in the meds, though it will be a relief to see what takes effect and gets him back on track again.
I tend to think that, once you’re getting vet care for him, anything that is passed no matter how runny or mucusy is at least stuff that is being eliminated. So while it will take a while to get him back to normal (did he eat the critical care for you?) anything that comes out is better than it staying inside of him. Hopefully the passage is clearing enough to allow for more normal poos to form and pass. Less bloat is better. It sounds like he’s moving in the right direction.
{{{{{{{{{Healing vibes for Boon}}}}}}}}}

[Nova]

Thanks Pam

Today he is back to not pooping much, doesn’t seem too bloated, but his poos are tiny and misshapen. Like a quarter the size of his normal poos, not round, and they are not frequent either.
I don’t get why the vet told me to take him off all motility drugs when he is not pooping much. He was passing yellow mucus and she said that it was diarrhea “obviously caused by the motility drugs.” this is such bs.

The girl who owns the local rabbit rescue here said maybe he needs sub-q fluids for dehydration, but I have no idea how to give them. Called the vet, they said they will call back, but since I’m a stupid consumer, I am NOT to attempt to give him any sub-q fluids.
Well, duh, but nevermind the fact I am willing to learn. I am going to start my own rabbit rescue shelter so I’ll have to learn anyway….

[BinkyBunny]

Oh, how stressful! How is he doing now? Since the rabbit rescue gave you some decent advice, maybe they would help you.

We have had to give sub-q fluids to our bunny before once our vet instructed us properly, so it’s not something they should prohibit you from doing if your bunny needs it. Maybe you need to different vet– another good question to ask the rabbit rescue, if they have recommendations.

Even if your bunny is feeling better, it would be good to find a vet you do trust for the future.

HEALING VIBES FOR NOVA!!

Edited to add: Somewhere in this forum, wish I could remember, someone brought up some info about the yellow mucous being a reaction to an irritation or inflammation within the digestive system.   I will try to find the thread. 

Update: Couldn’t find the specific thread about it but in Dana Krempels Article she does mention what the yellow mucous can mean. 

“In some cases, very small fecal pellets will be encased in clear or yellowish mucus. This potentially serious problem (enteritis, an inflammation of the intestinal lining) should be treated as an emergency.”

Source: http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html   I think this is same link from before, but it is a good resource with some information that you could bring to your vet as well. 

I know other members have had this happen as well, and so hopefully they will soon pipe in to offer their experiences. 

[bunny4]

hi everyone i really need you guys help right now until I can get to the vet well anyways i really need help because my bunny lucky is constipated and i really need to know some home remedies that could help plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Bam]

You can try and massage his tummy. You can give baby gas drops (simethicone). You can syringe him some water. If you suspect stasis, this is a good article: http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html

This thread is old, please start a new thread. You do that by clicking the Add Topic-button. I will lock this one. Please write a little bit more about yoiur bunny’s symptoms. Has he eaten anything? Is he lethargic? You need to keep him warm, that’s very important.

[Author]

Messages