The most common "miracle cures" that are told from one breeder to the next would be great - if they worked. The problem is, the success rates are not consistent - and until there is a consistency, the cure has not been found. So - just to get it said and out of the way - these are the most common statements that I'm classifying, for purposes of this trial, as MYTH-conceptions.
Myth-Causes
1. Its the feed
2. Its the hay (not enough, the wrong kind, or a bad batch)
3. Its because the kits were weaned too young
4. Its because of feeding them veggies or other items too soon or too much
5. Its due to the introduction of new food
Myth-Cures
1. Change feed
2. Use different hay
3. In some cases kits are orphaned at or younger than 1 month of age, if early weaning caused the problem, there would not be any hand-reared survivalists -- and there are quite a few who do survive, without every getting bloat.
4. Don't give them any new items, including veggies, until they are at least 4 months old
5. Take away all pellets, free feed hay and water, and push probiotics, electrolytes, and gas drops
TRUTH-BE-TOLD
The brand of feed you use has very little to do with it, as long as its fresh and of good quality, and if you were feeding greens and such to the mom during and after pregnancy, then the kits are already accustomed to having them anyway. The variety of hay differs mainly by fiber content - and most breeders say that alfalfa hay is too strong, but that's not always the case either. Otherwise, the removal of pellets may or may not help - but since they already refuse to eat, taking it away from them is nearly futile anyway. Pushing fluids, and probiotics may help, in some cases, but it certainly is not the "magic cure" that fixes the problem time and time again. However, the gas drops is a pain reliever, so that does give them some comfort - although typically it is no where near enough comfort to allow them much improvement.
Myth-Causes
1. Its the feed
2. Its the hay (not enough, the wrong kind, or a bad batch)
3. Its because the kits were weaned too young
4. Its because of feeding them veggies or other items too soon or too much
5. Its due to the introduction of new food
Myth-Cures
1. Change feed
2. Use different hay
3. In some cases kits are orphaned at or younger than 1 month of age, if early weaning caused the problem, there would not be any hand-reared survivalists -- and there are quite a few who do survive, without every getting bloat.
4. Don't give them any new items, including veggies, until they are at least 4 months old
5. Take away all pellets, free feed hay and water, and push probiotics, electrolytes, and gas drops
TRUTH-BE-TOLD
The brand of feed you use has very little to do with it, as long as its fresh and of good quality, and if you were feeding greens and such to the mom during and after pregnancy, then the kits are already accustomed to having them anyway. The variety of hay differs mainly by fiber content - and most breeders say that alfalfa hay is too strong, but that's not always the case either. Otherwise, the removal of pellets may or may not help - but since they already refuse to eat, taking it away from them is nearly futile anyway. Pushing fluids, and probiotics may help, in some cases, but it certainly is not the "magic cure" that fixes the problem time and time again. However, the gas drops is a pain reliever, so that does give them some comfort - although typically it is no where near enough comfort to allow them much improvement.