stomach discomfort

Question
Hi Dana, I am posting this question from the UK. I have a male rex rescue, approx 4 years old who lives in a bonded pair with a female dwarf lop. He periodically displays theses symptoms: gas in the abdomen, pain ( he presses his belly to the floor)lethargy, inappetance and his temperature drops. He can be fine one minute and then 4-5- hours later he is hunched up in the corner of the shed. Each episode has resulted in my vet treating with gut stimulants, pain relief, heat pads and varied child colic relief meds but this still continues to re-occur every so often. I believe his diet is as good as it can be: plenty of good quality hay and straw, fresh herbs, greens and carrots and a good quality mono component fully extruded pellet.He and all my other buns have access to a bun friendly garden for grass and exercise( british weather permitting!)Their living space is also 7'x 5'x 3'. My vet cannot come up with a reason for this problem and I feel we are just treating the symtom. I would appreciate your thoughts on this matter.
Kind Regards, Helen

Answer
Dear Helen,

The first thing I'd do is check his molars.  Believe it or not, a painful molar spur or other dental problem is one of the most common reasons for chronic episodes of GI upset, as it can cause enough GI tract slowdown to generate gas, with all its complications (hypothermia, shockiness, pain, etc.)

Please see:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/dental.html

for more details.  If you're not sure your vet is experienced enough to deal with a really deep molar exam and treatment, then you may be able to find another vet here who is:

www.rabbit.org/vets

I do know of one rabbit who had episodes like this and a cause has not ever been determined.  He just has gas and hypothermia, and his caregiver--like you--has learned to recognize and treat the symptoms as quickly as possible.

But I'm hoping that in your case the underlying cause can be found. And very, very often, it's the teeth.

Hope this helps.

Dana