My rabbit's belly is swollen, but its back is bony. What's wrong?

Bloat in rabbits is typically referred to as gastric stasis. This occurs when the GI tract stops functioning like it should and the stomach, and sometimes intestines, fill up with gas and undigested food. Rabbits will typically stop eating and pooping when this happens. This is a very dangerous condition for a rabbit because it is very painful and can cause death. If you suspect that your bunny is suffering from gastric stasis she needs to be seen by a vet to start treatment immediately. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Cookie. A fecal examination for parasites and blood work to rule in/out metabolic or infectious concerns is recommended. A condition such as inflammatory bowel disease has been found in rabbits, preventing them from absorbing nutrients well. You should see your veterinarian again. Good luck.

Hi and thank you for your question, Diarrhea is a serious problem in a rabbit and should be treated ASAP. Usually, in a mature rabbit true diarrhea is caused either by offering it food to high in carbohydrates or by treating it with antibiotics that are not safe for them. As to the sneezing, this could be caused by an upper respiratory infection but also by physical irritation (e.g. by dust in the air). I strongly suggest that you have Bunnicula examined by a vet. (P.S. There is nothing wrong with your English :) ).

You can't really spread the fat the way you want to in rabbits, it's normal for a rabbit to be fuller in the belly area and more bonny in the back. i would need to see a picture in order to tell you if it is indeed normal though, you can repost a question with a picture if you want.

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.

Hi there. It would be easier for me to help you if you could post a photo of the bulge. One way that may help you determine if it is fat or an actual problem is symmetry. Is this bulge directly in the middle of his neck or off to the side? If it is off to one side it is more likely to be an infection, tumor, etc. Without a photo my best guess is that he has an abscess (infection) which is fairly common for rabbits to get. I would suggest you have him examined by a veterinarian that is used to treating rabbits. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

I suppose it could be a full belly, but since it is something you haven’t felt before then I would be suspicious that it is something else. If it is still there tomorrow I would recommend that he be seen by your veterinarian. Best of luck to both of you and thank you for using Pet Coach.