Gurgly Tummy

Question
Hi Dana,
I'm writing because for a long time I was feeding my Holland Dwarf Lop (Zorro) bunny food from the store with mixed seeds and dried fruit etc.  I read on your rabbit diet page that these things are in fact not good for rabbits and were most likely contributing to the large amount of soft stools he was having.  After reading your page I took your advice and gave him only timothy hay and water.  After a week his soft stools cleared up but I noticed his stomach gurgled loudly.  I started him on fresh greens (spinach and broccoli) and now after 6 days his stomach is still gurgly and his dry pellet poop is sort of oblong rather than round and blackish rather than a normal brown.  My vet recommended re-introducing some high fiber pellets (with no seeds or dried fruit etc), continuing with the hay, greens, and water, and giving him a half gram of probiotics each day and he should be back to normal in a week.  

I am just wondering if you agree with this diagnosis and treatment or if you would recommend something different.  Please put my mind at ease that I'm doing the right thing - I'm worried about my bunny!!

Thank you!

Answer
Dear Kristin,

I think your vet has the right idea.  But if bun is in any discomfort from the gas, you might also consider giving him a 1/2 cc of pediatric simethicone suspension to help it pass as his GI flora re-establish to a normal "ecosystem."

As long as he's producing normal poops and has a good appetite, I would not worry too much.

Hope that he's all back to himself soon!

Dana