Rabbits have a very complex digestive system and, unfortunately, also extremely sensitive: the stress due to a sudden change in diet or at home could affect digestion and make it sick. If you notice that your rabbit is not eating much and is not looking good, take action immediately to make sure he is getting the care he needs.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Identifying Digestive Problems in the Rabbit
Step 1. Watch out for changes in appetite
Lack of appetite in rabbits often indicates digestive problems. Keep in mind that it's not easy to notice this ailment at first - your furry friend may be sick for several days before you realize he's eating less. Since anorexia can lead to serious health problems in these animals, do not hesitate to treat it if you notice that it is not eating.
He may be inappetent because he can't eat, not because he's not hungry. For example, dental diseases risk impairing chewing
Step 2. Check your stool
A healthy rabbit produces two types of droppings: hard (made up of indigestible fibers) and soft ("cecotrophs"). In addition, it ingests the cecotrophs to take in additional nutrients. With digestive problems, such as gastrointestinal stasis (or gastrointestinal constipation), stool production is reduced or stopped.
- Be aware that digestive disorders caused by bacteria or viruses can cause diarrhea. In turn, the inflamed intestine can produce mucus-coated stools.
- Try taking a picture of your rabbit's droppings to show how they look to the vet.
Step 3. Watch for behavioral changes
Like lack of appetite, behavior can also change in the case of digestive disorders. For example, your four-legged friend may become more lethargic and prefer to isolate themselves, but also lie ungracefully on their side or remain in a sitting position to reduce pressure on their abdomen.
- In addition, he may curve his back and start grinding his teeth due to abdominal pain.
- He may even crush his stomach against the floor due to the pain. It usually occurs when you have bloating.
Step 4. Touch the rabbit's belly
If it allows you, gently feel the belly. If it feels swollen and soft, this could be due to excessive gas buildup in the digestive system. In some cases, intestinal gas production can cause abdominal tension.
When certain digestive problems develop, such as gastrointestinal stasis, the number of harmful bacteria in the intestine is likely to exceed that of good bacteria, causing bloating
Step 5. Listen for bowel sounds
The digestive system produces some noises (borborygmi) as it decomposes, assimilates and moves the ingested food. They are abnormal or completely absent when the rabbit is suffering from a digestive problem. For example, if you suffer from bloating, your belly will gurgle. On the other hand, in the case of gastrointestinal stasis, the borborygmas are much more frequent at the beginning, but they decrease or stop completely as the pathology worsens.
Part 2 of 4: Providing Veterinary Care
Step 1. Take him to the vet
Digestive problems can be fatal for the rabbit. As soon as you suspect a bowel disorder, bring it immediately to the veterinarian, who will first carry out a physical examination and, later, will undergo diagnostic tests after evaluating the possible causes.
- If you suffer from diarrhea, your vet will analyze your stool for the pathogen (such as clostridium).
- In addition, he will perform x-rays and / or an abdominal ultrasound if he suspects gastrointestinal stasis or intestinal obstruction.
- An intestinal obstruction can generate a dangerous clinical picture that requires urgent treatment. By visualizing the abdomen, the vet will be able to make a diagnosis and establish effective treatment.
Step 2. Learn about treatment options
Usually, to treat digestive problems in rabbits, various therapeutic strategies are used to restore general health conditions, including rehydration, restoration of intestinal motility and pain control. The ideal is that the treatments are administered by the veterinarian, at least until the patient is able to go home and be looked after by the owner.
Treatment options vary depending on the digestive disorder the person is presenting
Step 3. Fight dehydration
The lack of water in the organism of rabbits can indicate problems with the digestive system and, in turn, worsen the clinical picture. To rehydrate your furry friend, the vet will provide him with fluids. How you give them (for example, by mouth, subcutaneous or intravenous injections) depends on several factors, such as your ability to drink on your own and the severity of your dehydration.
Rehydration will promote a greater supply of fluids in the digestive system, which will soften the fecal matter allowing it to move more easily along the intestine
Step 4. Use medication to stimulate peristalsis
If intestinal transit is slow or has stopped completely, the digestive system will need help to recover its functionality. In addition to fluid therapy, the vet may resort to the administration of drugs called prokinetics to induce the intestine to reactivate.
- Prokinetics are useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal stasis, but also in case of diarrhea caused by excessive use of antibiotics.
- If the rabbit has an occlusion, Not should take prokinetics.
- These drugs will likely take several weeks to restore regular bowel motility.
Step 5. Relieves rabbit abdominal pain
It is possible that the accumulation of intestinal gas (due to the occlusion or gastrointestinal stasis) and the diarrhea give him severe pain. If they are severe, the vet will give the pet pain medication to relieve them promptly. When the rabbit is in a position to go home, the vet may prescribe a pain reliever to continue pain relief therapy.
Step 6. Encourage him to eat
Poor diet (low in indigestible fiber, high in sugar and carbohydrates) is one of the most common causes of digestive problems in these animals. The vet will first find out if the rabbit is able to follow a healthy diet, otherwise he can try feeding him a high-fiber food, such as Oxbow Critical Care, through a syringe.
Part 3 of 4: Treating Particular Digestive Problems
Step 1. Keep it warm
Depending on the nature of the digestive disorder, the rabbit may need more specific care. If you have bloating, your body temperature may drop below normal (38 ° C), causing hypothermia. Your vet will show you several options for giving your furry friend heat: for example, you could place him on a heating pad, surround him with hot water bottles, or just hold him in your arms.
Step 2. Relieve bloating
The vet will give him a product containing simethicone, a substance that relieves bothersome symptoms caused by an excessive presence of gas in the gastrointestinal tract. You can buy simethicone products without a prescription at the pharmacy, but it is preferable that the vet handle this problem.
Belly massages also help relieve bloating
Step 3. Disintegrate the hairballs
If a hairball has formed in the intestine, the vet will try several remedies to break it down: one of them is fresh pineapple juice, because it contains a digestive enzyme; another is papaya, composed of an enzyme capable of destroying the mucus that holds the hairball together.
Keep in mind that if the hairball generates an occlusion, it could promote the accumulation of intestinal gas. In this case, the vet should intervene both by treating excessive gas production and by breaking up the hairball
Step 4. Administer probiotics
Hairballs and excessive use of antibiotics can upset the regular balance of the intestinal flora. If the vet detects a higher presence of harmful bacteria, he will likely give the rabbit a probiotic that can increase the number of good bacteria.
Part 4 of 4: Treating the Rabbit at Home
Step 1. Feed the rabbit with a healthy diet
After the vet's care, the rabbit will need your assistance to fully recover. A healthy diet will help him heal. For example, the best foods are fresh timothy hay and leafy vegetables (including kale and spinach). A healthy diet also includes plenty of fresh water.
Do not give him dairy products or food rich in sugar, honey or seeds
Step 2. Massage his belly
Belly massages are an effective soothing treatment. If your rabbit has a hairball, a massage can help break it down by helping it evacuate, but it can also stimulate peristalsis.
Step 3. Get him to move
Physical activity can improve intestinal transit in these animals. If your rabbit is able to move, encourage him to walk in his cage. For example, you could move food to take a few extra steps to reach him or even moving his toys away from the sleeping area will help.
Advice
- For the rabbit to be healthy, it is essential that its digestive system is functioning properly.
- Rabbits lick each other for hygiene, so it is normal for the hair to end up in the intestines. If your furry friend ingests them in excessive quantities, it could form a ball and get stuck.
- Antibiotics are not always effective in treating digestive problems caused by bacteria. Usually, generic treatment approaches, including fluid therapy and pain control, work best.
- A healthy diet will not only provide your furry friend with essential nutrients, but will also promote the regeneration of good bacteria within the gut.
Warnings
- Incorrect administration of antibiotics can severely compromise the digestive health of rabbits.
- Since these animals cannot vomit, an untreated intestinal obstruction is likely to cause serious health problems.
