My rabbit has stomach pain and no vet. Can I give human medicine?

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.

Poor Oreo! Unfortunately there aren't any OTC pain relievers you can give him. Many human ones are toxic to rabbits and can be fatal if given. The ones that are safe should only be used under strict vet supervision, and because I can't see him in person, it's illegal for me to recommend any of them. I would see if you can give your vet a call about his pain and discuss pain medication recommendation. If he does appear very painful, I would take him into an ER vet right away. Good luck with him, I hope he feels better soon!

Hello. Rabbits are prey species, so their signs of illness can be more subtle than ours. Any change in appetite, activity, defecation or urination is cause to have Lucky seen by a veterinarian. While many medications are shared between human and veterinary medicine, it is illegal to practice veterinary medicine without a license. More importantly, here are some medications that can be fatal or have serious side effects in rabbits, so a knowledge of rabbit physiology is necessary.

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.

These signs are quite concerning in rabbits and could be compatible with an inflammation infection of the gastrointestinal system and surrounding organs (like pancreas and liver). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is immediately essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics and possibly further investigations (like abdominal imaging as ultrasound or radiographs) may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

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.

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.