\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. She could be sleeping. GI stasis is a very serious medical condition in rabbits and requires immediate veterinary care. Last Updated: September 15, 2020 The fluids will help stimulate your rabbit’s gut motility. [2] We aim to evaluate the efficacy of cisapride on GI transit times when used as a single agent in rabbits. To learn how to prevent GI stasis, read more from our Veterinary co-author! It has several causes (e.g., dental disease, stress, pain from an underlying illness) and stops your rabbit’s normal GI motility. Further, if your rabbit is in true stasis, the toxin-producing bacteria will produce even more gas, thereby worsening the problem. When we ask for details, we often learn that not only did the bunny stop eating, but she had been producing extremely small or even no fecal droppings, or showed symptoms of runny stool. GI Stasis in Rabbits. You should seek immediate veterinary assistanceif your rabbit has not eaten or passed stools in the past 12 hours or is exhibiting other symptoms of GI stasis. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. X This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Your veterinarian will also look at your rabbit’s mouth, since dental disease can lead to GI stasis. % of people told us that this article helped them. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. It occurs when the normal, regular, wave-like movements of the intestines either slow down or stop altogether. Anything sugary should be avoided, so no bananas or carrots. Assuming you've already taken your rabbit to the vet, yes, you can/should feed your rabbit his usual diet. Research source Evaluation for Gastrointestinal (GI) Stasis. How long can a rabbit go without food or water? Foods to avoid when your rabbit is in GI stasis. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Before we start, I do a little tip for avoiding GI stasis at inconvenient time : Don’t give your rabbits new treats or foods when vets are at diminished capacity. GI stasis can cause blockages in the digestive system, and the rabbit’s lack of interest in eating/drinking exacerbates the issue and doesn’t allow the food to pass through the digestive system. The fresher the hay, the more nutrients it will have. Rabbits that feel uncomfortable often hunch over and won’t lie down. Small amounts of gas can be dispersed by movement. Signs of gastrointestinal discomfort in the rabbit may include bruxism, reluctance to move, and anorexia. stasis. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Thank goodness. Luckily her stasis never progressed to needing medication. There are a few reasons that rabbits can get GI stasis, including stress, lack of exercise, an unbalanced diet, and pain. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Some rabbits are subject to repeated bouts of stasis. DECREASE pellets for a day or two to encourage a hungry bunny to eat more hay (fiber). Your own rabbit may do the same. I can’t find any figures on how common GI stasis is, but there are a lot of cases mentioned in the house rabbit society Facebook page, so let’s just say it’s common enough that you should be prepared in the event that it happens. If left untreated, GI stasis can be fatal in 48 hours. Just avoid feeding your rabbit human remedies, like yogurt or probiotics, since these can make things worse. Eventually, toxins can build up in the digestive tract and put the liver under pressure. Your rabbit will need to be fed frequently (every 3 to 6 hours) to prevent complications from anorexia, restore nutrients, and stimulate gut motility. They may give your rabbit fluids and mobility drugs to get their digestive tract moving again, depending on what the cause is. Since we can’t tell what stresses a rabbit out, it would happen at any time, but I play close attention for signs of GI stasis in my rabbit when: It’s the reason one of my rabbits always looked a bit sad when moulting. Your vet will likely examine your rabbit and run some diagnostic tests, like urine or blood work, to confirm the condition. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The gastrointestinal tract makes up 10 - 20% of a rabbit’s body weight. To learn how to prevent GI stasis, read more from our Veterinary co-author! She still hasn't eaten a thing. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Rabbits do not eliminate gas like other animals and gas buildup can be very painful and potentially dangerous. Do you see where I’m going here. If you can’t get hold of critical care, try offering them pellets that have been watered down into a paste. Research source It’s scary when rabbits go into GI stasis, but with a bit of forward planning, it can be treated at home. Your vet will provide proper treatment and care. The quality of a rabbit’s diet plays a huge role in its health, and an improper diet can lead to potentially serious diseases, including gastrointestinal (GI) stasis. There are several measures you can take to help prevent the occurrence of GI stasis. Approved. With these rabbits, it is particularly important to increase their hay consumption. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Stick to pellets soaked in water if you’re unsure, though pumpkin baby food is a great option if you can get it. GI stasis typically occurs in middle-aged to older rabbits of either sex. Advice? wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. GI stasis is not always readily apparent in rabbits, especially in the early stages of disease. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Should I cover My Rabbit’s Cage at Night? What’s the best breed of rabbit for a first-time owner? Your rabbit may also grind his teeth due to the pain. Metacam is a great general pain reliever, but you need to have a prescription. It’s pretty dangerous. Excessive heat can also be stressful to your rabbit. The House Rabbit Society have a great article on GI stasis. Barbi Brown's Bunnies. Christmas is a time when rabbits often get treats. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If you spend a lot of time around your rabbit, you may notice that they’re just a bit…off. Those of us that spend a lot of time with our rabbits in everyday life (like when you’re watching TV and your rabbit is just chilling with you) are likely to notice when our rabbits look uncomfortable, and act quickly. The difference between the two will be apparent on the abdominal x-ray. Coriander/cilantro is always popular. How long does it take a rabbit to recover from head tilt? If your rabbit has an obstruction, that will need to be treated as well. How will my veterinarian treat GI stasis? Once it’s been diagnosed, your vet will give your rabbit some pain medication, and work to rehydrate it and get it to eat again. They’re moulting – rabbits can’t cough up hairballs as cats can, and the excess hair can cause stasis. If your rabbit has GI stasis it may stop defecating, eat less, be lethargic or depressed, or have a doughy-feeling abdomen. Alternatively, your veterinarian may want to use an appetite stimulant, such as B vitamins. We made sure to be extra gentle with her, massage her belly, and brush her to remove as much fur as possible. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Antibiotics should be used with caution when treating GI stasis in rabbits. Free webinar (unlimited space)from Los Angeles Rabbit Foundation to help rabbit caretakers and educators everywhere: GI Stasis Webinar EVERY rabbit caretaker should know about G.I. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Rabbits can accumulate hairballs in their stomach, which can cause a digestive condition known as gastrointestinal stasis. Is she okay? This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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