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GASTRITIS = BLOATING = URGENT ACTION REQUIRED TO SAVE YOUR RABBIT !!
also read > http://www.friendsofrabbits.org/FoR/public_html/health/gi_stasis.htm
Rabbits experiencing gastritis-bloating are in extreme danger - you must act IMMEDIATELY to avoid their death. SEE VET IMMEDIATELY. MUST DO X-RAY see if stomach or cecum bloated or blockage of intestine. Please note: the Cecum is normally 8-10X the size of the stomach so do not panic unnecessarily. If bunny is tender in tummy area, cannot take in much water and is breathing with shallow rapid breaths then dangerous swelling !! MUST relieve pressure ASAP or bunny will die from lack of food and water stopped by high pressure gas inside.
STOP foods that can cause gas: broccoli, cabbage, beans, celery (maybe), kale(maybe). Replace with greens like Romaine Lettuce (NO other lettuce).
STOP CHLORPALM medication as it can cause bloating gas. Switch to BAYTRIL.
Small amounts of anti-gas medicine for people may work - contains SEMITHICONE which has no known drug-interaction issues and can be used by pregnant human women. OVOL is medication for infants that contains semithicone that should help (about 0.15 ml per 6 hours) BUT THIS IS NOT A CURE !!. SEE VET ASAP !!
Anti-constipation medication may also help. VETS> Painful condition so bunnies anal muscles constrict - local MUSCLE RELAXANT may help anal muscles to relax leak gas. X-rays will tell if any blockage is causing swelling.
OWNERS> For next stages, vets may not be stocked with fine tubing - suggest you get some very small diameter plastic tubing (eg Fischer Scientific) with a thick wall (to prevent collapsing) yet flexible to go around bends ( eg cecum via anus). Venting gas, not liquids !! MUST be fine diameter to prevent panic & choking of bunny !!
VETS ONLY> Tube into stomach reports low success rate - about 40% - BUT is better than certain, painful death. Lightly sedate bunny, use small diameter tubing - taper edge to avoid scraping, elevate to prevent seepage into lungs.
VETS ONLY> Tube into cecum more difficult - need very small diameter tubing with thick wall to enable gas flow.- option: pierce wall of cecum with large syringe and draw gas out to reduce pain. Possibly inject fluids, food (finely ground Critical-care food), and anti-constipation meds to stimulate flow. Check any removed fluids for O. cuniculi ¯ - Obeliscoides bacteria€ that causes gastritis in rabbits.
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