Digestive problems in rabbits - what helps against gassing?

21 February 2020 — by Sara Roller  

Flatulence in rabbits should not be taken lightly. Their digestive system is structured differently to that of, for example, cats or dogs. In rabbits, severe gas build-up in the stomach and intestines quickly leads to a painful and critical condition. That's why it's essential to take even the slightest signs of discomfort and gassing seriously in small herbivores.

Wenn ein Kaninchen beim Füttern nicht angehoppelt kommt stimmt etwas nicht

Wenn ein Kaninchen beim Füttern nicht angehoppelt kommt stimmt etwas nicht

Gassing up can have very different causes in rabbits

A common cause of malfermentation and excessive gas production is feeding errors: spoiled feed, excessively large rations after feed deprivation (stomach overload), a sudden change of feed or commercially available dry feed. Rabbits should always be given access to roughage or fresh feed to ensure normal intestinal activity. Feeding commercial dry food, which mainly contains grain, can increase the risk of increased gas formation. Due to its composition, dry food slows down the time it takes for food to pass through the intestinal tract. When fed together with fresh food, the fresh food remains in the intestinal tract longer than usual and there is a risk of increased gas formation due to the fresh food. Another cause could be a parasitic infection with worms or coccidia (protozoa). A fecal examination by a veterinarian can give you quick results and provide important clues about the composition of the intestinal flora. Excessive colonization with yeasts can also cause digestive disorders with flatulence and diarrhea.

For rabbits kept outdoors, the ingestion of poisonous plants should always be considered. In breeds with fine, long fur or in any rabbits during shedding, hairball formation (bezoar) can also be the cause of the digestive disorder. Unfortunately, some medications such as antibiotics, which are sometimes simply necessary to treat illnesses, also have an unfavorable effect on the gut flora.

If a rabbit does not come running when it is given food, then something is wrong!

Refusal to eat is always a serious indication of a health problem. Unfortunately, refusing to eat can make this problem even worse. This is because the lack of food intake completely disrupts the digestive system. If food is no longer pushed from the stomach into the intestinal tract, the passage comes to a standstill and malnutrition occurs.

Je früher man Symptome einer Aufgasung erkennt, desto besser.

Je früher man Symptome einer Aufgasung erkennt, desto besser.

How do we recognize the first warning signs?

You can recognize rabbits with mild flatulence that have abdominal pain by them being quieter than usual or huddling together in a squatting position in a quiet place. They appear "fluffed up". Rabbits suffer in silence. Recognizing their pain in good time is the key to successful treatment.

If the gassing progresses, the stomach will continue to expand and cause severe pain, which can be recognized, for example, by a distended abdomen or quiet teeth grinding. Difficulty breathing (increased flank breathing) can also occur in the advanced stages of bloating, as other organs such as the respiratory organs are displaced by the distended digestive tract. This stage is already life-threatening for the small animals, as the circulatory system is under great strain and the body temperature drops dangerously. If you notice this, the rabbit must be taken to the vet immediately!

Prevent digestive disorders

Of course, it is better if we recognize the signs of illness at an early stage and can take appropriate countermeasures. To maintain the natural stomach and intestinal function of rodents and rabbits (e.g. during a feed change or in stressful situations) and to prevent digestive disorders, you can temporarily feed your rabbit Kolax. The complex of essential oils in this complementary feed ensures a healthy and balanced digestive system. Aniseed oil and camomile have an antispasmodic effect, cinnamon oil accelerates intestinal transit and relieves flatulence. Angelica root and lemon balm also support gastrointestinal function. In acute cases (bloating), Kolax can also be administered to regulate digestive processes and promote the recovery process.

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