INTRODUCTION

Some of the most frequent problems that can appear in rabbits that we live with at home are those that affect their digestive system. In this article we will talk about gases, which can be very dangerous for rabbits.

WHY DOES GAS OCCUR IN RABBITS?

Some of the causes which provoke gas in the digestive system of rabbits are the following, although on some occasions there is no specific cause:

• Fasting (the rabbit goes too many hours without ingesting food by decision of the owner).
• Too sedentary a life
• Eating undigestible food (e.g. cat food)
• Eating too many flatulent vegetables (broccoli, cabbage...)
• Constipation
• Hairballs
• Dental problems
• Altered intestinal flora due to use of antibiotics
• Infections
• Internal parasites
• Bad food (mould)
  
  

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY RABBIT IS GASSY?

Here are some of the symptoms that indicate that something is wrong with our rabbit:

• Several hours after eating, the bunny shows no interest in its food or rewards and does not want to drink water.
• He sits in a hunched position.
• His eyes are partially closed.
• His head is tilted backwards.
• He grinds his teeth in pain.
• He is lethargic. He does not move.
• His stomach makes rumbling noises (as if he is hungry).
• His stools are loose or he has diarrhoea.
• His abdominal area is distended.
• If you tap the stomach with your fingertips it sounds like a drum.
  
  

CONSEQUENCES OF NOT TREATING GAS IN TIME

When rabbits accumulate air in the digestive tract, they cannot eliminate it. This causes the abdomen to distend and the rabbit, annoyed, stops eating. It will also not produce faeces or will evacuate a very small quantity and, furthermore, it can become dehydrated and it is not unusual for the rabbit's guts to rumble. This is a fairly common and very painful condition which must be treated, as they are animals which cannot go for more than 24 hours without ingesting food. For this reason, it is considered an emergency. The rabbit could die.

HOW TO AVOID GAS IN RABBITS?

Gas can be eliminated by offering our rabbit an adequate diet based mainly on hay (80%), keeping it at the correct weight and giving it an active life. We will check their teeth every week and learn to recognise the symptoms so that we can act quickly.

CONCLUSION

Gas in rabbits can be really dangerous and can lead to the death of our pet if we do not act in time.