So sorry you are going through this.

I only think you would euthanize for gi stasis if there is a blockage or significant damage to the intestines.

I’m not sure where you live, but is there another vet you can see? I’m wincing at the Metamucil, pineapple juice, lack of pain meds in the initial treatment etc. It doesn’t sound like the vet you saw is way out in left field, but also doesn’t sound like he/she is very up to date.

In the meantime, can you get your hands on some critical care (http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/vets/products/critical_care) this is ideal for force feeding/syringe feeding. Your rabbit is doing some eating on his own so I don’t think there is a blockage, and critical care is more ideal than ground pellets. You can purchase it at most vet clinics, you can also buy online.

I would also grab some pumpkin (pure pumpkin, not pie mix) and feed that too. I often mix critical care, pumpkin, juice (apple/carrot) and water. Sometimes they’ll even eat it on their own.

My advice, look for another vet, and get as much food in any way shape or form down as possible. After things are settled, see if you can your rabbit checked (x-rayed) for dental issues-it’s often the cause and once you get a handle on that you can reduce or eliminate repeat episodes.

Please keep us posted!

Hi, I just want to say it’s fine to syringe-feed pellet ground up and mixed with water until you get hold of Critical Care, but omit all the sweet stuff, it can cause overgrowth of the wrong kind of bacteria in the gut. You can give a probiotic but bnot in the form of dairy. There is a type for small pets called benebac.

You can ask for more painmeds, it’s good to have some at home in case he seems to need it. It sounds like he’s doing much better already!

For gas-problems and stomach issues I give baby gas drops, simethicone, there are different brand-names in different countries. It’s considered safe by Medirabbit and many BBers use it. It’s a good thing to always keep in your home, as part of a bunny-first-aid-kit.You can also give tummy-rubs to get the intestines moving.

I don’t know if you’ve already read this, but it’s a great article from an approved source:
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html

Keep him hydrated and keep giving him pellet-slurry and try to get CC and keep us posted!!!

It’s a long slow process. Keep syringe feeding. 10-30 ml of critical care (or equivalent) at least twice a day. Simethicone 1ml twice a day. Lots of fresh moistened aromatic herbs. Plus pain meds and if prescribed, antiobiotics. Steamed pumpkin mash can also be added or sugar free pureed/steamed apple, mashed banana and any goodies he will eat willingly. Poops could be small and dark at first and it might take 3-4 weeks before they look entirely normal again.

Pumpkin is liked by most rabbits. It has good fiber. You can absolutely mix it with ground pellets and water. In bags of hay there’s often “hay-residue” in the bottom, if you have a fine metal sieve, you can “grind” that with a spoon and mix it with the pellet/pumpkin mash. I did that for my bunny Yohio when I had to syringe-feed him in November, last year. He turned out to have a molar-problem, he got well when the irregularities were ground down. A rabbit needs to be sedated in order for the vet to check the molars properly, the first time my vet checked my Yohio’s teeth (with an otoscope) he was awake so she couldn’t see the very small spurs he had. Some rabbits (like my Yohio) have sensitive mouths and some rabbits can go a long time with big molar spurs without giving any signs of not feeling well.

I hope your bunny will get well soon! You seem like a very competent bunny-owner!

40 minutes seems like a long car ride for a rabbit, and maybe it is when they’re sick, but sounds like the right thing to do, and, for the most part, it’s not that bad of a trip for a rabbit. Just keep hay in there in case he wants to much (fingers crossed!) Let us know. And it’s a good idea to get up during the night to encourage eating if he isn’t eating on his own, during these early days.

I don’t feel right giving you too much info because I haven’t had the horror of this to draw on for experience, thank heavens, so I’m thinking the others will pipe up soon enough. At a guess, I’d say if he’s eating but still not that much, maybe just force feed less than you otherwise might, but still get some down him??

Pumpkin is a wonderful thing!

Seems like people play it by ear and watch them, try them with less force feeding/meds and monitor them. Again, hoping someone gets on before it’s much later. Sorry. That’s what I would suggest, but I don’t claim to be any expert on this.

Not an expert, but I waited until he seemed to be eating mostly normally then skipped a dose. If he seemed pained or slowed eating (or I had to leave him for a while) I gave him more.

He was off pain meds within 72 hours.

I had to call several times to get painkillers for Yohio, and when he got them, I saw improvement. I only gave it for like 2-3 days before he started to eat on his own.

Any update on your bunny?