My Rabbit has a Swollen Stomach

[Sarai_Elora]

Hey everyone, first time posting. My male dwarf Lionhead has been acting strangely and seems sick, but since I don’t have much money for a vet I am hoping someone else might have a clue what to do and whether or not it is an emergency. I’m not positive how old the rabbit is, because he was a gift. But my guess is just under a year. Or maybe right around a year. Anyway, his name is Kilimanjaro.

So two days ago my rabbit was acting normal and happy. But yesterday and today Jaro has been acting standoffish and skittish. Not a happy bunny. He is still eating, and still pooping as of this morning, but his poops seems smaller and darker than normal. He also seems the tiniest bit bloated. As in his stomach and abdomen area doesn’t seem as small and squishy as it normally seems. I’m pretty much panicking because I’ve had a bunny die of unknown causes and I have no clue what this is or if it’s the type of thing I should take the bunny in to see the vet about. 

Any help and advice would be amazing, thanks.

Love, Sarai & Jaro

[Sarita]

It really could be a number of things and having a vet take a look is a good idea but what makes you think his stomach is bloated? Is he eating hay?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

This definitely is something you’ll want to go see the vet for! Good job noticing the small changes, rabbits often have a sudden dramatic bad turn, but there are sometimes small signs like your noticing. Sounds like this is GI slowdown and there can be many causes but best to seek treatment as soon as you can.

[Stickerbunny]

Is he still eating hay?

In the short term, you can try some simethicone (baby gas drops) and a tummy massage (gently run your hands in circular patterns on his stomach on both sides) to see if it helps at all. But, generally, GI tract issues are pretty serious if left untreated and if it hasn’t cleared up within a day, it probably will need vet care.

[Bam]

Please try rhe baby gas drops and a tummy massage as Stickerbunny suggests. This has helped my bunny Bam several times. Here’s good and approved info in more detail: http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html

This may kill a rabbit so you need to act now. Please report back and best of luck!!

[ditsyisnotditsy]

He is probably constipated or has some GI slowdown. I just dealt with this with my rabbit. I wasn’t able to get to the vet that weekend. It literally happened overnight. My rabbit refused to drink water or hay, but would eat her greens and treats. Her stomach was a little extended and felt full, not squishy. So, I gave her tons of leafy greens( I would soak them for a few minutes in a bowl of water to help with her water intake) I would feed her leafy greens in the morning and at night, I syringe feed her fresh pineapple juice (diluted, the sugar in the pineapple can worsen the problem so only a little of this but there are enzymes in it that is suppose to help) and syringe feed her water (I added apple sauce (unsweetened) or something my rabbit liked to help her swallow it but keep the sugar content to a minimum or none at all) and lots of tummy massages (circular motions, up and down her abdomen). My rabbit loved the massages. The next night, she was pooping little round, normal poops and she started to drink her water. I still took her to the vet later that week. I would definitely try and get her to the vet. My rabbit was just constipated from a new medication she was given and I was able to get her system going but it could be a more serious problem. Keep us updated and Good Luck!

[LongEaredLions]

Any update? How is he doing today?

[Author]

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