Why is my rabbit's stomach swollen like a balloon? Is it bloat?

Try to offer your rabbit some fresh water and hay and check to make sure she is passing feces. If she refuses food and/or is not defecating then you should take her in to be examined by your vet as soon as possible. She may be in the early stages of gastric stasis which can be a very painful and is a serious disease in rabbits. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Hello. I am sorry for such a long wait for an answer, but something is really amiss with your bunnies. To have obvious muscle loss along with an expanding belly indicates some disease process is ongoing. The swelling in the belly can be due to fluid buildup or enlargement of some of the abdominal orgas, called organomegaly. This is really something that requires a hands on exam & possibly some diagnostic tests run as well as a good overview of your husbandry practices. I hope all is well soon & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello. It sounds like your rabbit may have signs of gastrointestinal stasis, which means the GI tract has slowed down, usually as a result of a rabbit that stops eating. Rabbits will stop eating for a number of reasons - their teeth may be overgrown, their tooth roots may be infected, they could also have any other systemic disease (respiratory, urinary, infection, etc). As you can see, the causes are many and its impossible to say what is the underlying cause for sure without an exam and testing (usually radiographs, blood work, etc). Regardless of the cause, GI stasis is potentially fatal if left untreated. Therefore, I would urge you to get veterinary care ASAP. In the meantime, syringe feed Hobie with a liquid hay diet, ideally Oxbow herbivore critical care if you can get some, or soak the hay pellets in warm water to make a slurry. The best thing to keep the GI tract healthy is fiber and hydration, so hay is the foundation of health. I see in the first picture a pellet mix with maybe some oats, corn, and/or seeds mixed with the pellets. This is not an appropriate diet for rabbits as they are selective feeders and usually pick out the concentrates. These pellet mixes significantly increase the incidence of dental disease and obesity. I recommend a 100% timothy hay pellet, ideally Oxbow brand. Feed 1/4 cup timothy hay pellets, free choice grass hay, and 2 cups fresh greens a day with fresh water available in a bowl and sipper.

Based on what you are describing him I would be concerned about gastric stasis in your rabbit. This can be a common condition that occurs when a bunny stops eating. The stomach will fill with a lot of gas and the rabbit will be very painful and uncomfortable. If you are able to continue giving the critical care supplement I would recommend doing that. If Pepper stops eating that, continues to seem lethargic, or stops pooping, then you will need to take him into the vet to be examined because other medications will be needed to help restore GI motility. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Butter and including a photo. Gastrointestinal (stomach) upset is common in rabbits and can have many causes: ingested foreign body, infection, parasites, pain, dental disease, metabolic disorders (liver, renal), stress and more. If this is persistent, a veterinary visit is recommended, sooner than later. Keep diet consistent and try to limit sugars and carbohydrates. The more hay they eat the better. Good luck.

Sneezing is a sign of an upper respiratory infection, it's very common in rabbits. the swollen abdomen could be the beginning of a bloat, which is a dangerous condition as well. you need to take hi to the vet ASAP in order to get him treated, he will need a course of antibiotics.

Thanks for reaching out about Hanash and including photos. Gas in the stomach is usually a result of a problem and this does not treat the problem. Gastrointestinal obstructions, infections, metabolic disorders (liver, kidney) are just a few of the problems that can result in this condition. Offer water via a syringe, gentle stomach massages might help. Is there a chance to see a different veterinarian? Good luck.