Abdominal distention, or bloat, is a relatively common cause of sudden illness in rabbits. Bloat is often caused by fiber mat blockage and both males and females are equally susceptible. This is a life-threatening emergency and rabbits should be evaluated by a veterinarian immediately.
Symptoms of bloat include abdominal breathing, painful back arched or stomach stretched and pressed to floor, anorexia (over 8 hours), lack of stool production over 4 hours, lethargy, and visible abdominal distension.
Conditions that may mimic bloat include gastrointestinal hypomotility with gas distension, severe abdominal distension from fluid, tumors, toxins, and trauma.
Rabbits with bloat often arrive at the veterinarian in a crisis situation, so your veterinarian may need to start stabilization treatment prior to starting diagnostic testing. If the rabbit is in respiratory distress or history of trauma, your vet may consider a brief ultrasound to check for fluid in abdomen, chest, and around the heart at presentation. In patients were their abdominal distension and pain is due to fluid retention, your vet may recommend sedation for the collection of a sample of fluid for analysis. Radiographs are often recommended in rabbits with bloat to determine the extent and severity of distention of the stomach. A complete blood count and serum biochemistry are often very helpful in determining the severity of illness as well as helping provide information on the overall prognosis of the pet. Additional testing that might be recommended includes blood gas measurements, blood pressure monitoring, E. cuniculi testing, and fecal testing. Once treatment is initiated your vet may recommend rechecking blood parameters and repeating radiographs every 4-8 hours to monitor their progress.
Stabilization is of upmost importance in bloat patients as these rabbits can worsen rapidly. Many patients arrive at the hospital in shock with dangerously low blood pressure. Intravenous fluids to help hydrate and normalize their blood pressure. Heat support should also be provided to patients with low body temperatures and monitored every 2-4 hours until normal. Immediate pain control is essential. Once stable, an orogastric tube may need to be passed under brief anesthesia to decrease the pressure within the stomach. Patients should be hospitalized until they are able to maintain a normal body temperature and defecating. Assist feeding can start once there are signs the digestive tract has started moving again.
The prognosis of rabbits with bloat is guarded to poor depending on the condition of the patient when they arrive at the hospital. Patients with low body temperatures and/or markedly elevated blood sugar levels have a worse prognosis. The reinitiation of grooming again is a positive sign that they patient is most likely going to recover.
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