Question
I am a rabbit breeder and I occasionally sell rabbits to other people. When changing food and often due to extra treats that new rabbits are given, the rabbits will suffer from a condition called bloat (warning: link contains images of dissected rabbits). It is difficult to convince some people to spend $100 or more on a vet visit for an animal they can replace for $50. So, sadly most people will just allow nature to take its course, which is a painful way to die. Is there anything I can do to relieve this condition without having to consult a veterinarian.
Answer
Gastric dilation, also know as bloat, is a veterinary emergency. Rabbits, as you likely know, are not able to vomit and so cannot void the contents of their stomach if the normal outflow is blocked for any reason, which may not always be physical, apparently stress and severe stomach movement can cause this as well.
Unfortunately, according to Blackwell's Five Minute Veterinary Consult for small mammals (second edition - Section IV, Chapter 186) , the rabbit requires immediate medical therapy involving gastric decompression using intubation and surgery is likely required to treat the condition if intubation efforts fail to relieve the issue. It is also possible that decompression may be required several times depending on the actual causes of the bloat.
So, unfortunately, the answer to your question is no.
Answered By - Joanne C