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Stomach impaction Help!

lovelybun

lovelybun

Warren Scout
Hi
My two rabbits chris and Maddy have a stomach impaction. I had the to the vet (friday) and the treatments have not worked yet. What should I do? I don't want then to die! I want the best for them. The vet gave pain killers, critical care, and fluids under the skin. Any advice? I am not able to take them to the vet too often.
 
They need to go back to a rabbit savvy vet. Force feeding critical care whilst they have an impaction could kill them.

Could you pop a thread up in rabbit chat with the title "Rabbit Savvy Vet Required URGENTLY in <your area>" May help if you need additional veterinary help.

I'm afraid wanting what is best for them means veterinary care.
 
I'm not an expert, but I think if they were mine I would want the vet to admit them for fluid treatment.

Hope someone with more knowledge and experience comes along soon to offer advice.
 
Sorry if I have the wrong person - but haven't you had this problem 2-3 times recently?

ETA I would recommend a rabbit-savvy vet to try and sort this problem out.
I know you said you can't go to the vet too often .... but sometimes (as with this) there is no alternative, but I think it is important to find the right vet.
 
Last edited:
Long term (once you have this episode sorted) I would advise increasing the amount of hay they eat - so that it is 80-90% of their diet - and gradually decreasing their pellets down to an eggcupful each a day.

Fibre (hay/grass) is vital for their tums and teeth.

You could also feed some herbs and a small amount of green veg - again introducing them gradually.

Any change in their diet has to be done slowly (except the increase in the quantity of hay).
 
Babsie said:
Sorry if I have the wrong person - but haven't you had this problem 2-3 times recently?

ETA I would recommend a rabbit-savvy vet to try and sort this problem out.
I know you said you can't go to the vet too often .... but sometimes (as with this) there is no alternative, but I think it is important to find the right vet.
Click to expand...

They have had it for over a week and I have taken them to a vet twice already
 
lovelybun said:
No offense, my rabbits have had this for a while(over a week) the veterinarian is quite knowlegable of small animals.
Click to expand...

Has the veterinarian suggested further investigative work then?

No offense taken, i have the welfare of your rabbits at heart - if the vet isn't wanting to investigate why your rabbits are constantly suffering from bloat/gas/impactions, i would not say they are rabbit savvy. Sorry if thats not what you want to hear.
 
Did your vet suggest gently syringe feeding them water a few times a day as well?

If it is definately an impactation it needs to be loosened up, and the best way is with fluids. If it were my bunnies I would give them very very watery critial care a few times a day and lots of gentle tummy rubs as well.

Have you any idea what could be the cause, are they moulting, grooming each other lots? eating cardboard or newspaper?

I hope they start making an improvement very soon.
 
GrahamL said:
Has the veterinarian suggested further investigative work then?

No offense taken, i have the welfare of your rabbits at heart - if the vet isn't wanting to investigate why your rabbits are constantly suffering from bloat/gas/impactions, i would not say they are rabbit savvy. Sorry if thats not what you want to hear.
Click to expand...

I found the cause, they had beed lacking enough dietary fibre. Right now they are eating hay and carrots and drinking water.
 
bunniemum said:
Did your vet suggest gently syringe feeding them water a few times a day as well?

If it is definately an impactation it needs to be loosened up, and the best way is with fluids. If it were my bunnies I would give them very very watery critial care a few times a day and lots of gentle tummy rubs as well.

Have you any idea what could be the cause, are they moulting, grooming each other lots? eating cardboard or newspaper?

I hope they start making an improvement very soon.
Click to expand...

The cause was too many pellets.I am guilty!!!!!:oops::(:cry:
 
Babsie said:
Long term (once you have this episode sorted) I would advise increasing the amount of hay they eat - so that it is 80-90% of their diet - and gradually decreasing their pellets down to an eggcupful each a day.

Fibre (hay/grass) is vital for their tums and teeth.

You could also feed some herbs and a small amount of green veg - again introducing them gradually.

Any change in their diet has to be done slowly (except the increase in the quantity of hay).
Click to expand...

This may help you a bit.
I know how tempting it is to feed lots of pellets - but perhaps it is better to regard them as sort of 'treats' and concentrate on getting plenty of fibre into them.
 
Update

Hi, I had my bunnies to the vet today.;) She said Chris is doing much better:D and Maddy just needs more time to empty out her gut:):). I am feeding them a diet of mainly hay(Timothy, good quality), carrots, no pellets(thank goodness, never again!).
 
lovelybun said:
Hi, I had my bunnies to the vet today.;) She said Chris is doing much better:D and Maddy just needs more time to empty out her gut:):). I am feeding them a diet of mainly hay(Timothy, good quality), carrots, no pellets(thank goodness, never again!).
Click to expand...

That's good news!
I avoid carrot as it is very sugary - I just reserve a little bit as a treat.
 
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