Rabbits have a lot of systems.Stress from a sudden change in diet or housing can cause your rabbit to be very sick.If you notice that your rabbit isn't eating as much as you'd like, act quickly to make sure he gets the treatment he needs.
Step 1: Change your rabbit's appetite.
In rabbits, a decreased appetite is a sign of problems with the stomach.It can be hard to notice that your rabbit is eating less when he is sick.If you notice that your rabbit is not eating, you should immediately get him treatment for Anorexia.It is possible that your rabbit is eating less because he is unable to eat.Dental disease can make it difficult for your rabbit to chew his food.
Step 2: Your rabbit is making fecal pellets.
A rabbit can make two types of fecal pellets: a hard pellet made of indigestible fiber and a soft pellet.Rabbits eat the cecotropes.For some GI problems, rabbits will produce fewer pellets.It can be caused by a bug or disease.mucus-covered pellets can be produced by inflammation of the intestine.If you take a picture of the feces, you can show your doctor what it looks like.
Step 3: There are changes in your rabbit's behavior.
When your rabbit has a decrease in appetite, his demeanor and behavior may change as well.He may prefer to be alone.It is possible for your rabbit to lie on his side or sit in a sitting position.The abdominal pain can cause your rabbit to start grinding his teeth.Your rabbit may press his stomach against the floor because of the pain.If your rabbit has gas, this occurs.
Step 4: Your rabbit has a belly.
Touch his belly if your rabbit will let you.His belly may feel like dough.The belly may feel very hard if gas accumulates.Goodbacteria can outnumber harmfulbacteria in the gut.Gas can be released by these harmfulbacteria.
Step 5: Listen to the sounds of your rabbit.
The system that processes food and moves it through it will make sounds.These sounds are not normal if your rabbit has a problem.If your rabbit has gas, his belly will make gurgling noises.GI stasis causes gut sounds to be frequently early on, then decrease or stop completely as the condition gets worse.
Step 6: Take your rabbit to the vet.
There are life threatening problems in rabbits.When you suspect a problem with your rabbit, take him to your vet for a physical exam.Depending on what they suspect is causing the problem, they will conduct diagnostic tests.Your rabbit's feces will be tested to see if it has Clostridium.If your vet suspects GI stasis or GI obstruction, they will take x-rays and/or perform abdominal scans.Emergency treatment is required for a GI obstruction.Being able to see your rabbit's belly will help diagnose and treat him.
Step 7: Discuss treatment with your doctor.
Rehydration, restoring gut movement, and pain control are some of the general treatment strategies for rabbits.Unless the rabbit is well enough for at- home care, these treatments should be performed by a vet.Depending on the problem, treatment options will be slightly different.
Step 8: Correct the dehydration of your rabbit.
Dehydration can cause problems in rabbits.Your vet will give you fluids to rehydrate your rabbit.Your rabbit's ability to drink on his own and the severity of the dehydration will affect how your vet administers the fluids.Rehydrating your rabbit will put more fluid in his system, which will allow it to pass through the system more easily.
Step 9: Stimulating gut movement is possible by using medication.
If your rabbit is not moving food quickly or at all, it will need some help getting back to normal.Prokinetics are medications that may be administered by your vet to encourage the gut to get moving again.GI stasis can be treated with prokinetics, as well as with antibiotics.A prokinetic should be given to your rabbit if he has an obstruction.It may take several weeks for prokinetics to restore your rabbit's normal gut motility.
Step 10: Your rabbit has abdominal pain.
GI obstruction or GI stasis can cause gas to build up in your rabbit.If the pain is severe, your vet will give you pain medication to get it under control as soon as possible.If your rabbit is well enough to go home, your doctor may prescribe a pain medication.
Step 11: Encourage your rabbit to eat.
A bad diet that is low in indigestible fiber and high in sugar is a common cause of GI problems in rabbits.If your rabbit can eat on his own, your vet will check it out.Oxbow Critical Care can be fed through a needle if he cannot or will not.
Step 12: Your rabbit should be warm.
Depending on the nature of the problem, your rabbit may need more specialized veterinary care.Your rabbit's temperature could fall below normal if he has gas.Placing your rabbit on a heating pad is one of the ways your vet can keep him warm.
Step 13: Relax your rabbit.
Simethicone is an ingredient that relieves gas.It would be best for your vet to treat your rabbit with over-the-counter products.It's helpful to have tummy massages to relieve gas.
Step 14: The hairball needs to be broken down.
If your rabbit has a hairball, your vet will try different remedies to break it down.One remedy is fresh pineapple juice.The mucus holding the hairball together can be broken down by the papaya.The hairball can cause gas to build up.The gas and hairball would be treated by your vet.
Step 15: Administer vitamins.
Hairballs and antibiotics can affect the balance of good and badbacteria in your rabbit's gut.The level of goodbacteria will be increased if your vet identifies more harmfulbacteria.
Step 16: Feed your rabbit a balanced diet.
After in-hospital veterinary treatment, your rabbit will need at- home care.A healthy diet will help him recover.Fresh timothy hay and leafy greens are examples of healthy foods.There is a lot of fresh water in a healthy diet.Don't give your rabbit dairy products or treats that are high in sugar, honey, or seeds.
Step 17: Your rabbit has a belly.
A tummy massage can be used as a treatment strategy.If your rabbit has a hairball, a massage can help loosen it.A tummy massage can make you feel better.
Step 18: Encourage your rabbit to be active.
It is possible to improve your rabbit's gut movements with physical activity.Encourage your rabbit to walk around in his cage if he is well enough to do so.He can walk to his food if you move it a few feet away from him.You could move his toys further away from his sleeping area.