[Gpdd] HEALTH: piggies thumping

[Cindy]

I knew that rabbits thumped when upset or sensing danger, but I had never 
heard a piggie thumping -- until the other night.

My husband and I (and Sunshine and Tumbleweed) traveled out of town after 
Thanksgiving and stayed at a pet-friendly hotel.  On our last night there, 
we were awakened at 5 a.m. by Tumbleweed thumping and running wildly around 
his cage.  We thought that perhaps he had "cabin fever," so we got him out 
of the cage, and my husband held him on his lap.  As soon as Tumbleweed 
returned to his cage, however, his thumping and mad dashes began 
again.  This went on for about an hour, with us guessing various things -- 
does Tumbleweed want more light, less light?  Is he hungry (not 
likely!)?  Is he bored?  And so on.

Finally my husband said he thought Tumbleweed might have gas, so I got him 
back out of the cage and massaged his tummy.  He arched up for me to reach 
his stomach more readily, and he began a soft cooing, like, "Oh, that feels 
so good."  I continued for about ten minutes.  When I returned him to his 
cage, he began eating hay and drinking water and then rested quietly in a 
corner.

Later that morning, we saw Sunshine sitting across Tumbleweed, as if 
comforting him, putting pressure on his tummy, or just making sure he was 
all right.  It was very touching to see Sunshine taking care of his "little 
brother."

So I just wanted to alert everyone that a piggie thumping can be an 
indication of illness.  I had no idea!

Fortunately Tumbleweed was back to his old self as soon as I rubbed his 
tummy,  although of course we have continued to monitor him closely.  We 
restricted his greens for the first day, but he is now back to his normal 
diet and is having no difficulties.

Hope this will be of help to someone in the future.

Cindy, Sunshine, and Tumbleweed