I can't do anything right!

[Xiaohuihui]

I rescued a baby rabbit two weeks ago. Not a wild bunny, a pet who was abandoned in a concrete stairwell late at night when it was below freezing. It was my neighbors, who have since gotten a puppy. When I first took it into my apartment, I had nothing. I Thought he would just be able to die warm and comfy. Now, I have a good cage, lots of pellets and Timothy hay, and a good amount of knowledge of rabbits. Only he won't eat the hay, will barely eat the pellets, and I really doubt he has ever drank water from either the bottle or dish. He still loves to eat greens, but his tummy is so big tonight, he only wants to lay on his side in his litter box. No vet in this city sees small animals. Is there anything I can do? He is like a balloon . I wish I hadn't given him greens, I just didn't want him to starve

 

[whitelop]

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/f22/bloat-gas-10385/
Hopefully that helps a little.

You need to syringe him some water, make sure that he is hydrated.
Simethicone dosage is 1 cc per hour for 3 hours, then 1 cc every 8 hours as needed.

 

[JBun]

It sounds like he has bloat. You need to get him to a vet immediately! It's extremely serious. Call around, maybe there wiil be a vet that will see him. Here are a couple lists with rabbit vets, that you can check to see if one is near you.

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/f28/finding-vet-13366/

http://www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

You were just trying to help the little guy out. If anyone is to blame, it's your neighbor who abandoned him. It may not have just been the greens that have caused this. With him not eating much before, it sounds like he may have already been developing the problem. It can happen when a rabbits diet is changed suddenly. If it were just gas, you could give him simethicone, but by your description of a severly distended stomach, it sounds more like bloat, and that is something only a vet has a chance of hellping.

 

[HEM]

I second that, hopefully a vet in your area will have some knowledge of rabbits and could assist you.
Please get the bun to a vet if at all possible.
Poor lil' bunny. Also, you should go to your neighbors and let them know that they will have a vet bill to pay for.

 

[LakeCondo]

The simethicone should be in the baby section of a drugstore or big box store. Tummy rubs also do some good. However it sounds too serious for this, so I hope you can find a vet asap to help. Or at least a vet to end his suffering. You have been doing the best you can, so don't blame yourself, whatever happens.

 

[NorthernAutumn]

As quoted in our Library (http://www.rabbitsonline.net/f22/bloat-gas-10385/)
*Please note: Gas protocol is not appropriate for a rabbit suffering from bloat (very hard, distended stomach).
Bloat must be immediately resolved by a veterinarian.

Do not attempt to treat bloat yourself.
Do not attempt to massage a bloated bunny: can lead to lethal complications.

Rabbit needs VET ASAP. This is an emergency situation.

(Sorry for emphasis, but tummy rubs on a bloated bunny can result in death - this is not an at-home treatment situation)

 

[Xiaohuihui]

Thanks so much everyone! The crisis seems to have passed, he is back to his normal self this morning but still a little bloated. I will go in search of simethicone today and find a vet in a city nearby who I can at least consult in the future. He is definitely a hardy bunny, but I want to take the best care of him.

 

[JBun]

That's really good to hear! I'm so glad he's doing better. I hope you are able to find a vet that can help you out. You may want to just stick with giving him only grass hay for the time being, until he's feeling better. Hold off on the pellets and veggies, and especially no fruit, sugars, carbs, grains, or starches. Once he's doing really good and he also has normal looking poops, then you could try very gradually reintroducing pellets. Make sure you are using a plain pellet with no added treats or colorful bits in it. And start with really small amounts like 1/4 teaspoon. Then gradually over 2-3 weeks, slowly increase the amounts. By doing this, you are giving his digestion a chance to get used to the new food. If he starts having soft poops or small poops, or acting sick at all, cut back or stop the pellets.

A few things since you're a new rabbit owner, make sure you are using a rabbit safe litter as cat litter can make rabbits sick. And once you do reintroduce pellets and work up to a full amount, you will want to limit pellets to 1/4-1/2 cup per 6 lb body weight, depending on how well he tolerates the pellets. I have a rabbit that I had to feed only hay and veggies to because pellets were making him sick. Your rabbit should always have unlimited grass hay and whenever you do introduce new foods, always do it one food at a time and very small portions at the start, to make sure that it doesn't cause stomach upset. Keeping an eye on the poops is a good way to catch digestive problems early with rabbits. If there are soft poops, small ones, or less or no poops, then it's an indication there is something wrong.

I'm so glad you took this little guy in and that he is in a loving home now Feel free to post questions you have about rabbit things. There are lots of people on here that will try and help you out.

 

[Maureen Las]

Won't hurt to keep simethicone on hand. 1 cc is the usual dose with a repeat of 1 cc in one hour if needed. ( may also give a 3rd dose one hour after second dose)
What you described initially sounded like bloat and as you become more rabbit saavy you will be able to distinguish gas from bloat. Acute gas can make a rabbit appear very ill but if treated quickly will usually dissipate.