Rabbits can - and do - suffer from gas. If ignored, painful gas can cause a rabbit to stop eating and go into gastrointestinal stasis, the slowing or complete cessation of normal intestinal movement. This can be fatal if not treated. Gas can also be the result of stasis.

Rabbits that have gas often exhibit one or more of the following symptoms: loud gurgling noises coming from the rabbit's stomach; hard, taut stomach; lethargy; and significant decrease in appetite. Often, this is the first sign of gas. When suffering from gas, some rabbits sit hunched up, with their eyes partially closed, some will sit with their stomachs pressed into the floor, or upright with an unnaturally straight posture.
Feel your rabbit's abdomen (without applying pressure) when he is not experiencing a gas episode. Take note of the general girth, 'dough' quality, and the size in relationship to the ribs. This may help you to know what is normal for your rabbit.

If your rabbit experiences frequent gas episodes, you need to re-evaluate his diet, since some foods are more likely to cause gas in certain rabbits than others. Also check for underlying health issues that may be causing intestinal motility to slow. When your rabbit suffers from gas, it is important to treat him as quickly as possible by administering simethicone. Simethicone has no known drug interactions and is not absorbed into the intestinal wall. It only acts mechanically by joining the gas bubbles into larger, easier to pass bubbles.*

In the article "Gastrointestinal Stasis, The Silent Killer" by Dana M. Krempels, Ph.D, it is recommended that you give 1 cc (20mg/ml suspension) as often as every hour for three doses, then 1 cc every three to eight hours as needed. Examples of brands of simethicone include Ovol, Phazyme and Gas-X, all of which can be purchased at your local drug store. Along with simethicone, applying very light strokes in a circular motion to the rabbit's abdomen can help move the gas bubbles along. The rabbit should show signs of improvement after 1-2 doses. If symptoms persist, take the rabbit to a rabbit savvy veterinarian.

Important: Gastric Dilation (Volvulus) or severe 'bloat' is not the same as a gas episode. With bloat, the stomach becomes extremely hard and grossly distended which can cause the blood supply to be cut off from the stomach or intestine. Bloat can quickly lead to shock and death. If you suspect bloat, do not massage the rabbit's abdomen, which could make the situation worse. Seek immediate veterinarian attention.

We recommend that every rabbit owner read Dana's "Gastrointestinal Stasis, The Silent Killer".
If you do not have access to the internet, contact us and we will mail you a copy of this article.
Detailed information on various GI ailments can also be found in "Rabbit Health for the 21st Century (Second Edition)", which can be purchased though our organization.

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