What is bloat?

Middy · Mar 12, 2007

Hi all

Was very sorry to hear of Soad's loss of a bun due to bloat

I'm a bit naive, don't know what it is and how to tell that a bunny has bloat. Are there any signs to look for?

My newly bonded buns are fine but one is short haired and one is long haired and if they get to the stage when they are grooming one another, I worry that my rex will eat too much lop hair!!

Thanks
Middy

Diddeen · Mar 12, 2007

I believe bloat is when they get trapped gas in their intestines :?
They usually become quiet, cold ears, and stop eating.. you can sometimes feel balls of gas in their tummy or hear their tummy gurgling with the wind. They would also stop pooing.
Tummy massages and infacol can help a little as well as syringe feeding a rabbit mushed pellets and cool boiled water to keep their food and fluid intake up.
SOAD's bunny had a blockage which would have been alot harder to move.. i think bloat can also occur from something in their diet or shock/stress as well.
I tried searching on the net for some info but didnt get much.. anyway this is what i understand bloat is.. i could be wrong though :? :wink:

Sparky · Mar 12, 2007

My Bobby died from bloat. Im just going to pick a bun up then I'll put more on here later.

Azraelm · Mar 12, 2007

Whats the difference between bloat and GI stasis?

nicole · Mar 12, 2007

Gi statis is where the guts stop moving, this does not come as quick as bloat. Gi statis can take days to show signs, like poos getting smaller and not eating as much.

Bloat can come on very fast as it is just wind, but dangerous. Some times veg not usually fed like cabbage or fruit can cause a gassy belly. Any carbs that are not usually fed can upset the good bacteria in the gut and this can cause gas.

I hope that helped.

Jack's-Jane · Mar 12, 2007

Here is an abdominal X-ray of a Rabbit with Bloat

A side view of the rabbit shows the distended stomach (arrow). You can see how large the abdomen is in relation to the chest. The lungs (L) are the dark triangle, the heart (H) is the round white object also in the chest, and the kidneys (K) are the two oval objects in the abdomen. The remainder of the abdomen to the right is made up mostly of the small and large intestines

(Copyright Long Beach Animal Hospital)

And an account of Bloat in 'laymans language'

http://www.bunnylu.org/bloat.html

Janex

Azraelm · Mar 12, 2007

thanks xx

Middy · Mar 12, 2007

Thanks, all. That's really helpful. Poor buns, they are delicate little souls, aren't they?

Suzanne · Mar 12, 2007

Great advice. The x-ray picture was useful as I know now where I have to rub - although hopefully I won't need to too. Thanks

Sparky · Mar 13, 2007

On Dedember 29th i woke up and knew something was desperately wrong with my Bobby. We rushed him to the vets, and he was diagnosed with bloat. I knew he had a distended stomach because I had been sitting him on my knee trying to soothe him for some time. Bobby was really, really quiet, sitting hunched over, and he let me pick him straight up. He looked into my eyes with a look that told me he literally had hours to live. I was more or less hysterical, because Bobby was my baby. He meant the world to me, and he still does. No one will ever replace him.

The vet said they'd keep him in for two days, administer fluids etc. I got home, and got a phone call two hours later to say that Bobby had passed away. I have tears literally pouring down my face as I write this. Bobby waited until I wasn't with him to pass on. I bought him back home later that day and buried him. I really haven't gotten over his death and I don't think I ever will. I've also gotten very paranoid about my buns and I check their stomachs three times a day for any signs that it feels different.

RIP Bobby xxx

What is bloat?

Middy

Warren Scout

Diddeen

Wise Old Thumper

Sparky

Young Bun

Azraelm

Wise Old Thumper

nicole

Mama Doe

Jack's-Jane

Wise Old Thumper

Azraelm

Wise Old Thumper

Middy

Warren Scout

Suzanne

Mama Doe

Sparky

Young Bun

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