Rabbit swollen and hard abdomen

Question
Hi there I have two rabbits who have free run of my garden ..they are mother and daughter...the daughter jas had a very swollen and hard abdomen for a while now..she still eats normally and is very happy...could you tell me what is likely causing this swelling ...i don`t think its gas as she would of passed away by now...i have recently bought some dewormer and am trying that...regards
Jill

Answer
Dear Jill,

A bunny who has a lot of intraperitoneal fat can have a "bloated" appearing abdomen, so that's one possibility.  Also, there is a congenital condition we call "Cowpoop Syndrome" in which a bunny produces large, misshapen fecal droppings, rather than the typical "cocoa puffs" you expect from a healthy rabbit.  This condition is more common in rabbits who are white with dark eyes and some pigmented spots, but any color rabbit can be afflicted.

In most of these "cowpoop" bunnies, the abdomen is abnormally large and distended.  No one really knows why, but it comes with the "territory" of Cowpoop Syndrome.

Worms are a less likely explanation, and I would not administer medications without confirming (1) that there are parasites and (2) that the medication you plan to use is safe for rabbits.  (Many meds that work for dogs and cats or other species can be deadly to rabbits--so beware!)

If your bunnies live outdoors, it might be hard for you to determine if the daughter has "cowpoops", but if you keep them inside for a while, you'll notice easily whether either (or both) bunnies are producing the weird, misshapen poops typical of the disorder.  

Some rabbits with this condition live completely normal lives.  But many individuals are prone to intestinal blockages, and of the three bunnies we've had with Cowpoop Syndrome, two have died this way.  Peace (our third) seems fine, but she has a LOT Of spots, and apparently the severity of the condition increases with fewer spots!  Go figure!

This syndrome is still largely a mystery, but is the most common cause I've seen of chronically bloated-looking abdomen in rabbits.

Hope this helps.

Dana