Bunnie Belly

Question
QUESTION: I have had my bunny for 2 years. His belly just started gurgling it has been going on for about a month. I took him to the vet and she said she heard nothing. I was away for two weeks. the woman taking care of him is also a rabbit shelter/rescue. she told me she heard it every night.
anyway I am back. He runs, eats, poops eats his hay and his belly still grumbles? so you think I should worry. and also I cleaned his scent glands but every once in a wile when he poops I can also smell that gland smell? any thoughts would be great thanks Fan

ANSWER: Dear Fan,

Very loud tummy gurgles can mean your bunny is gassy.  You can help prevent pain from this with a cc/ml of pediatric simethicone suspension from any pharmacy/drug store.

But why is he gassy?  The usual culprit is incorrect diet, which you can check here:

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

I hope that will help.

Dana

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QUESTION: Dana, Thank you for the link and answer.

I only feed him, water, small amount of good pellets lots of hay and some greens,

I am worried that the gurgles have been going on for too long and should I worry or is that just the way he is?
also what do you think about his scent gland smell every once in a while I can smell it. He had his scent glands cleaned out. but from time to time there is a smell of them? could you comment abut this.

thanks Fan

Answer
Dear Fan,

If he's eating well and acting normal, then I wouldn't worry about the gurgling.  Simethicone is the only thing I know that will help, if he's gassy, and gurgling is caused by excessive gas.  GI slowdown can be caused by things other than diet, such as pain from dental problems:

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

and a good vet can check this for you:

www.rabbit.org/vets

If he's not neutered, then that operation will help reduce the scent gland smell, which is normal and healthy.  If he's neutered, I wouldn't worry about the smell unless the vet thinks the glands are impacted and need to be cleaned.  But we rarely, if ever clean out scent glands.

Hope this helps.

Dana