Help Please Baby Bunnies with Bloat U/D :(

Sorry not been on for a long time but been so busy with RSPCA bunnies coming in Ive not had time to do anything. Well here goes Friday night I noticed one of our fosters not looking to good so bought him in to monitor, first thing Saturday I rang the vets and got an appointment. By the time I got to the vets and was seen the poor guy passed away, however it now seems that he had Bloat and impaction at the same time. Now the problem I have is the rest of the litter he came in with are coming down with bloat and thats not all, Ive just been to check up on their hutch mates to find two of them also showing signs. Please someone help me what is it all about, and why is it going through them all. I am currently giving them Bio Lapis as recomended by the vet but bless they are only 9-10 weeks old and if it continues it will be through 12 babies.

What else can I do, I am at my whits end with trying to make sure these babies live, Nadine our other foster bun has got an abscess right above her eye so is on daily depocillin injections, and with all that going on I meant to be catching up on my paid job work and my own animals and kids.

Why do I feel so yucky (sorry wanted to put something else ****) and why or how did they get this horrible thing.

Sorry for ranting on.

Has the vet mentioned Coccidia? Have any of them had the runs?

no vet hasnt mentioned Coccidia they just said the bunnies had Bloat and gave me Bio Lapis, but its now through out the babies. One of them has the runs the others have a jelly like substance coming out of their rear ends. Im tired and am trying my best for these babies but just feel like its a loosing battle. What else can I do and how is it caused?

Hey Dixie,

So sorry this happened to your little bun. And can understand how stressed you must feel trying to keep the other buns going.

I've never really heard of 'Bloat' as a condition, however, I found this website a few days ago when looking for something else, and thought you might want to have a quick read when you have time.
After reading the article, it seems that not much is known about it, but monitoring your buns and getting them vet care as soon as you spot the signs is the most important thing.

This is a quote from the article on Bloat :
"Unlike GI Stasis, bloat happens suddenly and without warning. One minute your bun is eating, drinking, eliminating, and playing normally, the next minute he is depressed, moribund, and stops eating, drinking, and playing. Just like that. A bunny rapidly decompensates with bloat, and immediate veterinary intervention is crucial to his survival. A lower than normal body temperature (under 100F) usually occurs causing the bun to go into shock. Current literature from the UK reveals bloat is caused by a blockage or obstruction in the GI tract, that may be due to a foreign body (carpet) or tricobezoar (hairball). During postmortem exams on rabbits whose cause of death was GI Stasis or bloat, Dr. Paul Flecknell found an obstruction at the exit to the stomach (pylorus or duodenal flexure). The tissue at this site was often dead (necrotic). He also found instances in which the lining of the stomach had eroded with bleeding present. While not specifically documented, this creates the possibility that ulcers and/or scar tissue could be precursors to bloat. A study by Hinton (1980) showed 7% of all rabbits necropsied had gastric ulcers. Considering the nature of rabbits as prey animals, it makes sense that rabbits could and do develop stress ulcers. It is known that gastric ulceration in rabbits can develop form pain and fear due to catecholamine (epinephrine) release, and also with reduced gut motility such as repeated episodes of stasis. I realize this is mere speculation on my part, but believe this is possible and that more research is needed."

This is the full article link http://www.bunnylu.org/bloat.html it is quite long, but worth a read.

Hope that helps in some sort of way. Sending lots and lots of vibes for your baby bunnies and for you too.

x x x

Hi Hun,

Im sorry i cant shed any light on what is happening to these little babies, but I am sending you vibes and hugs.

K x x

I'm so sorry Dawn I can't offer any help, as I don't know enough about it, all I know about bloat is that it comes on quick and seems to be 50/50, it's what took Bertie. Could the vet ask a specialist for you? I know John always takes calls from vets.
Sending lots of vibes for you and the babes x

I ask about it because Cox is highly contagious, needs a specialist treatment and causes bloat as a symptom. It will also cause mucus stools and upset tummies and young rabbits are highly susceptible to it. for a firm diagnosis a stool sample will need to be tested but that could take days, so it may be worth treating with a cocciostat (sulphaquinoxaline) just in case.

I'm just speculating of course, but it's the fact it seems to be spreading that makes me suspicious.

http://www.rabbit-information.co.uk/coccidiosis.php

Oh sweetheart, I am so sorry. Please keep us informed.

Hugs

Jo xx

I am so sorry. It must be heartbreaking for you.

I know how tough this has been on Dawn and still is. To say she is devoted is an understatement and Dawn I just want you to know how very proud I am of you and Bear for all the loe and support you are giving these babies. x

I am so very sorry love, I wish I could help in someway. I can only imagine what you and they are going through. We have all said a prayer here and lots of healing and loving vibes are on their way.

You are wonderful.

Hugs

Jo xx

I have just heard, another baby has passed. Dawn is in bits.

Oh no Catswhiskers, is anyone with her? This is dreadful and she shouldn't be alone. If only I were local.

Please keep is informed love.

Hugs

Jo xx

Her children are there and her middle daughter has been helping nurse them It is so hard to watch babies go like this

Poor Dawn, good that she has family with her so she has support. Sending lots of vibes.

Oh no, this is awful, poor Dawn.

Im sending love and vibes and ill be thinking of them all.

Katie x x

Sleep sweetly baby bun x x

Oh No What on earth is this?? X

How are you today Dawn love? I am so glad you have family with you and we would all be with you if we could.

Lots of love



Jo xx

I never realised how bad 'Bloat' was until our Netherland Dwarf Chudleigh Flint suffered with it, he get's bouts every so often and he was really bad with it the last time we very nearly lost him he was so ill

Dawn, I hope you're ok? I dont know much about bloat, but from what everyone has said it sounds as if their young age made them susceptable, poor buns. xx

Hello darling, how are you?

Jo xx

Hey all. Dawn is too distraught to post but it is her wish that I update you all. There are now only 4 babies left. Some have had to be pts. Dawn and one of her daughters have provided round the clock care and it has proved a losing battle. Please send vibes and thoughts for the remaining four and for Dawn and Bryony.

This is awful, I'm so sorry this is happening.

Sending vibes and prayers xx

Becki wrote:Oh No What on earth is this?? X

It's Coccidia These babies all came in unwanted and somewhere along the line have spread this through themselves. They are all in quarantine because f the other 20 + in Dawns care at the moment.

Oh no, how completely awful.

Sending love and hugs to Dawn and briony, they must be beside themselves. So very sad.

Thinking of them all. x x