Domestic rabbits - creatures very delicate and sensitive, especially scrupulous need to approach the issue of their feeding, as the functioning of their gastrointestinal tract often lead to the emergence of various disorders, in particular, constipation, diarrhea, bloating or gastrointestinal stasis, which can cause the death of the animal. Often, rabbit owners use enema, but this method is unsafe, so the reasons and methods for treating and preventing digestive system disorders will be discussed further.
Causes of bloating in rabbits
The rabbit is a herbivore beast, therefore digestion in its body occurs continuously, the peristalsis of the stomach and intestines works very poorly, as a result of which food passes along the tract due to the newly eaten, respectively, the slightest failure can provoke intestinal obstruction.
Did you know? The female rabbit feeds babies only 5 minutes a day.The problem occurs for a number of reasons:
- stress, strong fright;
- transportation of animals, change of habitat, climate;
- abrupt transition to a new feed;
- excess weight;
- dehydration;
- eating stale food or waste;
- intestinal dysbiosis;
- intestinal infection;
- for small baby rabbits, the transition from mother's milk to solid foods.
Why it is not recommended to give an enema to rabbits
Very often, you can find recommendations to eliminate bloating in rabbits by using an enema with the addition of laxatives, but this procedure, in addition to the effect, can greatly harm the animal.
The fact is that the enema is done with a syringe without a needle, and it can damage the rectum if the rabbit moves or escapes during the procedure. In addition, regular use of enema can disrupt the natural intestinal microflora, which will lead to dysbiosis and aggravation of the state.
Read more about what vitamins to give rabbits.
How to help the animal
To remove the painful sensations arising from bloating and abdominal cramps, it is necessary, first of all, to examine the rabbit and see the reason for his poor health. When viewed from the stomach of the animal can be bloated, hard, and light pressure will cause anxiety. It is important to help the pet as quickly as possible to avoid dangerous consequences.
We let out of the cells to run
The easiest way to eliminate the first signs of bloating is to let the animal out of its cage and give it plenty to run. 
It is worth noting that this method is more prophylactic and is good only in the early stages of the disease.
Important! A place for walking rabbits should be cleared of debris, food residues and wool to avoid poisoning.
We do belly massage
One of the known and effective ways to alleviate the condition of an animal with bloating is abdominal massage. This physiotherapeutic procedure is carried out every 1-2 hours, the duration of one session is 5-10 minutes.
Pet should be carefully laid on the back, fixed between your knees, then holding it with one hand, fingers with the other measured, slightly pressing, hold from the chest along the belly to the tail.
If the animal responds normally, the pressure can be slightly increased without accelerating the pace. This procedure helps to relax muscles, relieve spasms and facilitates the discharge of gases.
Video: rabbit belly massage
Drinking cucumber juice
There is a very simple and effective folk remedy for bloating: fresh cucumber juice. He is drawn into a syringe without a needle and is poured into the rabbit in his mouth, little by little, every half hour until his condition improves. As a rule, cucumber juice has a laxative effect very quickly, and after the discharge of feces, the animal becomes easier.
Poured decoction of chamomile or echinacea
With moderate bloating, not too strong chamomile decoction helps: 1 tbsp. l without slides on 1-1.5 st. boiling water, let stand 15 minutes under the lid. Strained with warm broth replace the water in the water bottle and unsolder the animal. Often, rabbits refuse to voluntarily drink an unfamiliar drink, in this case, using a syringe without a needle, the infusion is poured into the mouth forcibly in small portions of 5-10 ml with an interval of 30-60 minutes.
Important! Chamomile decoction should not be allowed to drink to rabbits constantly and replace them with plain water, since it can have a binding effect on the chair and cause constipation.In combination with chamomile decoction, you can use Echinacea decoction: 1 tsp. dry herbs in 1 tbsp. boiling water infused for 15-20 minutes. This broth is given in small portions of 1-2 tsp. 2-3 times a day. Echinacea has a calming, tonic effect, as well as heals irritated gastric mucosa of the animal.
Give Vaseline Oil
If the animal has flatulence caused by constipation, urgent first aid measures should be taken. These include vaseline oil. It is used orally, pouring a rabbit into the mouth from a syringe without a needle. The dosage is calculated on the basis of a measure of 2 ml / 1 kg of live weight with an interval of 3-4 hours. After taking the drug, the animal needs to be released from the cage and allowed to move in order to stimulate the bowels.
It will be useful for you to read about why the rabbit has watery eyes, what to do if the rabbit sneezes, grunts and breathes heavily, as well as how and what to treat the cold of rabbits.
We use medications
It happens that folk and physiotherapy methods do not have a pronounced effect, and before the visit to the veterinarian it is imperative to alleviate the suffering of the pet. In such cases, resort to the use of drugs. The most commonly used means based on simethicone (for example, drops for children "Espumizan L").
Simethicone is not absorbed into the blood and walls of the gastrointestinal tract, but mechanically acts on air bubbles, destroying them. "Espumizan" is used in the amount of 20 drops per 1 kg of body weight 3-6 times a day with an interval of 3 hours, it is desirable to supplement therapy with a massage of the abdomen.
Video: treatment of bloating in rabbits "Tympanol" - a veterinary drug used in ruminants, reduces the amount of gases, improves intestinal motility. The drug is diluted in water at a ratio of 1:15 and otpaivayut animal in small doses to improve well-being.
We recommend reading about what can and should not be given to rabbits, and also find out whether peas, wormwood, burdocks, pears, grapes, Jerusalem artichoke, pumpkin, corn, bran, bread, tree branches, fruits and vegetables can be given to rabbits.
ZhKS prevention
Gastrointestinal stasis in rabbits is very unpleasant and, in advanced cases, a dangerous disease, so it is much easier to prevent its occurrence through preventive measures:
- maintaining a balanced diet with high fiber content;
- the use of the animal sufficient amount of water needed to soften the food consumed;
- organizing regular walks of the herd - this not only improves muscle tone, but also improves digestion;
- selection of only high quality feed;
- introduction to the diet of dried dill, chamomile, dandelions;
- regular cleaning in cages and places of walking animals, it is especially important to remove the fluff, which often eats young.
Familiarization with the problem of bloating in domestic rabbits allows the reader to verify the seriousness of this disease and the need to take the urgent measures outlined above.Did you know? When eating food, a rabbit performs 120 chewing movements with its jaws per minute.Reasonable and timely assistance will help alleviate the condition of pets and prevent the recurrence of the disease.
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