What to Do if Your Rabbit Shows Signs of GI Stasis
I will begin by saying any time you are concerned or not getting the result you would like, PLEASE take your rabbit to the veterinarian immediately. They are able to provide additional support to a very ill rabbit with fluids and IV medications as well as determining if there is an underlying diagnosis that is the cause of the stasis episode. If your rabbit's belly is firm and hard like a drum (bloated), they need vet help immediately to survive. For a rabbit with a soft/doughy stomach, you may begin treatment. If this treatment does not return your rabbit to health, hopefully it will keep them alive through the night or until you can seek help.
That said, it’s important to have a 1st, 2nd and 3rd veterinary choice lined up BEFORE an episode of GI Stasis occurs. Unfortunately, rabbits often seem to go into stasis on a weekend or holiday when regular vets are closed. It is very important to know where the closest rabbit-savvy emergency vet is. If the closest one is too far away, go to the nearest emergency clinic and bring them this GI Stasis printout and request IV Fluids, Metacam, and Reglan. A cat/dog vet will know how to administer this treatment and these medicines.
It is super important to bring a rabbit in stasis to ANY vet able to provide these safely, rather than wait more than 12 hours. It is also good to have more than 1 rabbit-savvy vet identified that you can go to, because time is of the essence when stasis hits. A full list of rabbit-savvy vets in Minnesota (including emergency vets) can be found on the Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society’s website.
WHAT IS STASIS?
GI Stasis (or colic in horses) is the most common affliction and cause of death in rabbits. Their digestive systems are fragile and any disruption can be serious. If you, your dog, or your cat have something upsetting your stomach, you can vomit it up and eliminate the problem. Rabbits and horses are unable to do this. Also unlike dogs, cats, and humans, rabbit digestive systems are constantly in motion. A healthy rabbit is constantly grazing and pooping. In stasis, the digestive system has stopped and everything begins backing up.
GI stasis is caused by a myriad of things or even nothing at all. Fur ingested during a shed; stress over travel, temperature, or a fright; eating too quickly; a simple gas bubble; or just life can cause stasis. It is impossible to predict or prevent, but if caught quickly is usually treatable.
You can help prevent stasis by grooming your rabbit during a shed. When your rabbit has been traveling or is stressed, avoid giving pellets for the first two hours. Pellets expand in the stomach. Instead, give a serving of greens and let them rest before feeding. Be sure they always have plenty of fresh hay and water.
SYMPTOMS OF GI STASIS
A very sick stasis rabbit will be crouched/curled in a pile and will show no interest in food, treats, or you. They will not move. Treatment should begin immediately. Any rabbit who is not acting normally and seems lethargic should also begin treatment immediately. They are probably in the beginning stages and should respond quite quickly.
TREATING GI STASIS
1) Exercise – Remember that the digestive system is in distress and is causing acute discomfort, therefore the natural response is to curl up in pain. This closes the body even more and prevents the gas and stool from passing through. To help release the pressure and get things moving through the system, again the first thing you need to do is get your rabbit moving. This will not be easy in a very sick rabbit but be forceful – they NEED to stretch out their body and hop. By lengthening, they will allow things to begin moving.
2) Tummy Massage – Lay your rabbit upside down on your knees and gently massage their belly from the chest to the tail. Push their rear legs out straight as your hand moves down. Again your goal is to get the trapped gas moving through the body, thereby restarting the digestive process. I will stress gentle pressure and no massages at all if your rabbit is bloated. Check out this video for additional information on tummy massages.
3) Medications – At first sign of symptoms:
Administer Simethicone. These are baby gas drops found at any pharmacy. This is a natural product that helps break up any gas bubbles.
Syringe feed as much water as your rabbit will take.
If available, give a dose of pain medication such as Rimadyl or Metacam.
If available, give .75 ml Metroclopramide (Reglan), which is obtained from your veterinarian. This is a muscle relaxant and may be given every 6-8 hours.
If you do not have these medications, I would seek veterinary help as soon as possible. In an early stage stasis, exercise, massage, and medications are often all you need to make things right. You could see improvement within 30 minutes with no additional treatment needed. For a more advanced case, you will need to provide more support.
4) Force feeding – Make a slurry of Critical Care for Herbivores (which you can purchase at your vet or on Amazon), water, and baby squash. Make this wet enough that it easily comes through a large syringe and provides another source of water. Assemble all your supplies, as once you get started you will not want to get back up for something. You will need:
Critical Care, which now comes in flavors rabbits will eat.
A large irrigation syringe (sold at the pharmacy to keep a dental extraction site clean. You will need to cut off the curved end about 3/4 inch from the syringe so you can stick it into your rabbit's mouth).
A smaller syringe (with no needle) for water.
A cup of water and bowls to rest your syringes in (this can get messy).
Paper towels for bibs and clean up.
Once you have your slurry prepared and in the syringe, your water ready, and any meds laid out, you may get your rabbit. Sit comfortably where you can put your feet up a little and lay the rabbit on your knees with his head higher than his tail. You do not want to choke your bun or have him aspirate any liquids.
Start with a small syringe of water. Rabbits have large front teeth, then a gap, and then a full set of back teeth. I support the back of the rabbit’s head with one hand surrounding the head in a C position holding it up. Insert the tip of the syringe into the gap pointing at the other cheek, not down the throat. Slowly drizzle the water into their mouth. They should immediately begin drinking.
For a very sick rabbit, you may need to touch the tongue with the syringe to prompt sucking. Your supporting hand will prevent them from turning away. After the first syringe of water, give some of the slurry the same way. Some rabbits will gobble it down, while others will make you work for it. But it is important, so be forceful.
Alternate some slurry with another syringe of water and repeat. Fluids are critical. I usually give one of the large syringes of slurry and 3-4 small syringes of water at each feeding. Your purpose is less about nutrition and more about getting the system working again.
You are OK repeating the feedings every 3-4 hours along with the exercise and massages. Each time you approach your rabbit, observe behavior, position, and interest. Offer favorite treats. Provide things they are showing interest in eating but avoid pellets as the first food after a stasis episode. Remember pellets expand in the stomach. Greens are much better.
Watch for pills (poop). If after several hours nothing is coming out of your rabbit, seek veterinary care immediately in case there is a blockage.
5) As a preventative measure, you can give a dose of Laxatone during a heavy shed. This is a dog/cat product available from your vet and surprisingly rabbits seem to enjoy the tuna flavor and eat it willingly. I just squeeze some into a syringe and squirt it into the rabbit's mouth. It lubricates the digestive system and keeps the fur from causing a blockage.
Stasis recovery will vary from almost immediate to days and days. I have had rabbits who ate and drank nothing willingly for almost two weeks. If they are not deteriorating or seem to be in pain, just keep supporting and remember to seek veterinary care if you are concerned.
