The digestion of rabbits is notable for its special tenderness and instability. Consequently - frequent disorders in the stomach and intestines. The most common of these is bloating (tympania), which even the novice rabbit will probably face.
On the causes, prevention, symptoms and treatment of bloating in rabbits in detail, the proposed article.
Table of contents
Why rabbits can have a stomach swelling, causes and symptoms
Digestion process in a rabbit, like most herbivores, flows almost continuously. This means that there is always food in the stomach and intestines of eared fish. Normally there will be a rabbit before the onset of gastrointestinal stasis, that is, food stagnation or complete blockage of the intestine.
Why can rabbits have a stomach swell? Intestinal blockage and bloating, increased flatulence, impaired appetite of the animal, because of which the offspring can die. A novice rabbitcher needs to be well versed in the causes of this phenomenon, which will avoid the mass of hassle and expense. These are usually:
- Dehydration - Every day an adult rabbit needs up to half a liter of water. And the animal must always have access to it;
- Stresscaused by an abrupt change in diet, weather factors, the movement of an animal, the presence of nearby predators (ferrets, weasels, stray dogs, etc.);
- Lack of fiberthat help normal bowel function.
- Appearance in the intestines and reproduction of pathogenic bacteria;
- Enter the intestines of wool or poor quality food that cause the fermentation process.
Abdominal disease (tympania) in rabbits can also develop with disorders of the intestinal microflora, which is not always a direct result of food delays. The causes of tympania in this case may be:
- Dental and oral diseases. Most often manifested in age individuals. As a result - poor grinding of food and a forced diet due to the inability to chew food normally;
- Antibiotic use, destroying the intestinal microflora;
- Sedentary Lifestyle;
The process of digesting cabbage, wet grass, legumes is in itself difficult for the rabbit's intestines. therefore manifestation of individual symptoms of tympania (flatulence, rumbling in the abdomen) is not a sign of the presence of the disease, and especially gastrointestinal stasis.
Symptoms of FSW, unlike other diseases
Recognize gastrointestinal stasis You can already at the very initial stage. For an experienced rabbit breeder, this is not a problem. Pointed eye immediately draws attention to the bloated belly. There is nothing catastrophic about this. In rabbits, this is the most common ailment.
For the novice rabbitry we will describe all obvious and hidden signs for the inexperienced eye for the appearance of FSW:
- Refusal to eat, lethargy, depression. Since usually rabbits eat a lot and with pleasure, the loss of appetite is clearly visible;
- When detecting flatulence or rumbling, it is desirable to probe the pet's belly. The presence of seals near the walls of the abdominal cavity, rumbling, transfusion, gurgling - a clear sign of accumulation of food, liquids and gases in the intestine;
- Delays and abnormal stools. The absence of litter up to 10-12 hours, a sharp change in color or reduction in the size of the characteristic balls.
For pet inspection experienced rabbitks use a stethoscope - This is an inexpensive but very useful device. With it, you can listen to the intestines of the animal and with high accuracy to establish signs of disorder.
At the same time, the presence of mucus in the rabbit's litter, blood clots, prolonged diarrhea - evidence of infection or other dangerous diseases, because of which the offspring may die. In this situation, you should contact your veterinarian.
How to properly treat bloating in a rabbit
Rabbitks when detecting signs of eating disorders use the following procedure:
- Sick animal is necessary set aside from other pets;
- Then for thorough inspection the animal should be, taking under the front paws, put his back on his knees head to him. If the rabbit is nervous or resisting, then it must be calmed down. Once the rabbit gets used to the hands, you can begin to feel the abdomen and massage.
Only after the inspection, making sure that your pet has a bloating is required to begin treatment. There are two ways to treat it:
- Folk;
- Medicamentous.
Treatment of folk remedies
The most simple and safe for the animal are massage and decoctions. Massage is done with your fingers., smooth movements without strong pressure (the internal organs in rabbits are very tender). Massage can be done both circular (clockwise), and in the direction from the head to the tail. Massage task - to help the rabbit to push through the mass stuck in the intestine.
Massage duration and repetition rate is chosen empirically. If 5-7 minutes of a leisurely massage does not bring relief to the animal, then it is necessary to use more effective means.
Broths can also help.. However, these funds are rather prophylactic. With acute manifestations of FSW, decoctions are useless and it is not worth spending time on them, especially since the animal’s life can go on hours.
For the manufacture of decoctions used chamomile, dill, dandelion and wormwood. For prophylaxis these herbs are recommended to be added to food and in a dry form.
Another way to slow down the fermentation in the intestines is available in every home. it alcohol or its derivatives (vodka or moonshine). For an adult rabbit you need only 1-2 tablespoons (not more) of a warm drink, the strength of which does not exceed 30 degrees.
Sick rabbit needs to drink plenty of water. and free space. Therefore, if there is an opportunity to let him out for a walk - do not miss it.
In this situation, one person holds the animal tightly by the paws, preventing it from escaping. The other one can gently unclench an animal’s mouth and give it medicine potions.
Medications, analgesics, antibiotics
Novice rabbitcher should be very careful about the advice on the use of drugs. Often they can be useless and sometimes even harmful. However, a number of drugs it is desirable to have on hand.
- Activated carbon - very useful medicine and absolutely safe. For a sick rabbit, you need to crush 2-3 tablets of embers and stir them in a glass of warm water;
- Tympanol - a specialized veterinary drug for bloating in ruminants. The dosage is determined based on the weight of the animal. Each kilogram of weight requires 0.5 mg of the drug and a tablespoon of warm water. The resulting mixture is valid for 20-30 minutes. The drug is natural, because its use does not bear any particular risks.
It is necessary to refrain from forced feeding., various heaters, enemas, and other means used to treat humans, since they can be effective only in the hands of an experienced rabbit breeder. As for the numerous antibiotics and analgesics, it is best to use them after consulting with a veterinarian.
What to do with this disease, diet and food
Sick and convalescent animals required Special meals for 2-5 days (Usually so many digestive disorders last). Fresh greens, vegetables and fruits, especially cabbage, beet tops, are completely excluded from the diet.legumes.
Best feed for sick rabbits - this is hay or oats. You can feed the pumpkin or zucchini - this is a dietary dish for eared. Chamomile, dandelion, sage, dill, wormwood, parsley - herbs useful for bloating, so do not deprive them of your pet.
Prevention of tympania and FSW in rabbits
It is hardly possible to completely eliminate digestive disorders in rabbits., but useful recommendations will reduce the frequency of their appearance:
- No need to overfeed animals juicy herbs, fruits and vegetables;
- Everything products must be clean and suitable for food (rot, mold, fermented or spoiled food to give animals is strictly prohibited);
- Do not feed sweet foods and sugar;
- Animals should always have clean drinking water.
Also, rabbits do not interfere regular walks in the aviary and attentive attitude. It will recognize the bloating in the very early stages.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that on the Internet you can read a lot of tips, learn dozens of names of “useful” drugs for rabbits from habitual analgin to expensive and questionable enzymes. Without experience and correct diagnosis, they should not be used.. Novice rabbit growers in difficult cases is best to go to the vet.
The rabbitry is a room where rabbits are kept! And the rabbit man is RABBIT!