Mary Allen
A rabbit suspected of having drum addiction should be taken to the veterinarian immediately. In this rabbit disease, digestive disorders lead to the fermentation of feed in the stomach and intestines, which can have life-threatening consequences.
Symptoms of Drum Addiction
The first sign of drum addiction is a bloated stomach that becomes increasingly rigid. The rabbit is in severe pain and often sits listlessly in a corner of the enclosure. Constant gnashing of the teeth, a hunched back, or the constant “drumming” with the paws also indicate the severe pain of the rabbit.
Causes: This is How Drum Addiction Occurs in Rabbits
Drum addiction is often the result of increased hairball formation. This leads to a build-up of hair in the rabbit’s stomach. The animals pick up loose hair and swallow it, especially during the change of coat, but also during daily grooming. Longhair rabbits, which are not adequately supported in grooming their fur, are particularly affected. Smaller hairballs are usually passed without any problems, but larger amounts can lead to constipation and cause drum addiction.
The wrong food, poisoning, parasites, or dental problems can also lead to drum addiction and put the animal in mortal danger. Due to the paralyzed or blocked digestion, the remaining food ferments in the stomach. The resulting gases inflate the rabbit’s stomach a lot.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Drum Addiction
After you have brought your rabbit to the vet with suspected drum addiction, the vet can diagnose the disease by palpation and x-rays
Treatment depends on what triggers the drum addiction. Basically, degassing agents and stimulation of digestion help. If the rabbit still refuses to eat, force-feeding may be necessary to get digestion going again. Infusions and pain killers help the weakened rabbit recover. In some cases, for example with particularly large hairballs, surgery must be carried out.
If it is recognized in time and treated by the vet, the rabbit can survive the drum addiction. However, it is a serious condition and requires immediate action.