7 hr road trip with a new bun - stasis prevention?

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This topic has 4sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 4 months ago by Ert000.

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- 03/29/2021 at 2:59 AM
  cookies22
  Participant
  2 posts
  Hello!
  
  I have two bunnies, one of which has made the 7hr road trip twice with me before and done well with it! Some gut slow down, but always has made a recovery on her own within 2hrs of arriving at our destination. I recently got a pal for her, who she is not sold on yet. I unfortunately have to make the trip with both of them as single buns, and I am worried about stressing the new little guy out. I have managed to transform him from a super picky eater (wouldn’t even eat pellets at first!) to a great eater who eats absurd amounts of hay everyday, so I am not too considered about his regular stomach health. I am wondering if there is anything I can do to best prevent stasis in him while on the trip. I have read some places that simethicone and critical care can be given halfway through the trip as a preventative measure, but I am not sure if this is best or if I should just try the trip as normal and see how he does. I have a vet lined up at my destination just in case!
  
  Thanks!
- 03/29/2021 at 6:17 AM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  I just moved cross country with 4 buns, and drove 8-12 hours a day. Oof!
  
  I would have some critical care, simethicone, and fluids with you. Have some favorite greens in a little cooler, and half way through the trip take a long-ish break (at least 30 min) and offer wet greens and some hay. I never syringe fed during the driving part as I could always get them to eat even a little greens, but did have to syringe feed one of my girls morning and evening after about day 2. If they don’t perk up and eat their hay and salad in the evening after the trip, syringe feed and give some fluids. Even my girl who wouldn’t eat during the trip (and barely pooped) started eating just fine once we got to our destination.
  
  I’m sure they will do great! My bunnies actually really surprised me with how well they handled everything.
  
  Side note, if they travel together in the same carrier you might have them nearly bonded by the time you get there. 😉
  
  . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
  - 03/29/2021 at 10:54 PM
    cookies22
    Participant
    2 posts
    Update! I tried stress bonding for the first time today as the two were getting along decently well. Did a 15 min car trip with them in the same carrier, and they cuddled up during it! Afterwards they were much nicer to each other for a good 30 mins, which is a lot for them. Since they tolerated that alright, do you think that the whole 7 hours together would be more beneficial than harmful overall? My girl was more stressed out than usual from it, as she is the one who is less keen about being friends, but the little guy seemed to really take comfort in having a friend to cuddle up with. I think that definitely on the way back home I will try keeping them together, but not sure if itll be too stressful to endure that and then arrive at an unfamiliar destination.
- 03/30/2021 at 9:14 AM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  I think since they did well on the short ride, I would go for the long trip together, but just an extra carrier handy in case you need to separate them. You also might find the new location really helps with the bonding. So if possible, you can plan to just keep them together once you arrive at the new location (with a contingency plan just in case).
  
  In my mind, the car ride is the most stressful thing, rather than the presence of the other bunny. And they tend to take comfort in each other, so if they cuddled after the short ride, that means they might be happier together during the long ride as they will comfort each other.
  
  . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 03/30/2021 at 8:08 PM
  Ert000
  Participant
  130 posts
  Hi,
  
  I traveled 2 times long with my rabbit. You should take a small break in travel. Feed your rabbit with vegetables at the break. If you want, put hay. But my bunny has never eaten hay. Pay attention to the music, the sound. If your rabbit ate nothing for the first few hours when he came home, give it one of it favorite foods. If it is uninterested in it and hasn’t eaten for hours, you should take it to the vet. Have a nice trip.
  
  Love for animals is the escape of human from human..
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