“chronic” GI stasis?

[LillyBear]

So Lilly bun is at the hospital right now.. she spent the night last night.  I ended up driving an hour at midnight last night to bring her in for GI Stasis (WHY cant bun get sick during normal business hours and NOT on the weekend when prices are $$$$$!!!!).. she hadn’t been eating for a few hours, and around 1030 I gave Simetheicone 1mL, Laxatone 1mL, and probiotic 0.2mL.. hour and a half later she was just still frumping around not eating/pooping.  I could tell she was uncomfortable and was a nervous wreck to leave her till morning (not that it would matter since its still the weekend and prices would be the same) so I brought her in right away.  

Anyway, this is her third bought of GI Stasis, and she is only 3.5 years old.  One of the vet techs last night suggested that this may be a “chronic” thing with her.. her GI system is just more sensitive than some other rabbits? ..

Any of you guys with other buns with chronic GI problems, what do you do to prevent it?  I’ll start giving Laxatone more often, maybe 3x/week?.. but what else can I do to ensure that this wont happen again?  I am not nervous about not catching it.. but it is really hitting my pocketbook hard, and not to mention my nerves (I woke up every hour last night worrying, and even was dreaming about her last night!), and the poor bun

[Sarita]

Laxatone is not going to help. You need to do a full blown exam and speak to your vet. Go over diet, do bloodwork. There is a reason this is happening.

First of all, you should look at her diet. Have your regular vet look at her teeth too.

Stasis is a condition not an illness and you need to find out what is triggering her to stop eating.

My rabbit Mango had continuous problems with stasis when he was young – 2 or 3 very very long bouts that lasted a few weeks and he was at the vet daily – never really truly figure out what caused it. We did end up taking him off pellets and while he still has major poopy butt problems, he has not had stasis for awhile – knock on wood.

My rabbit Pepe, same thing – 2 or 3 serious bouts that lasted for 2 weeks – vet daily. He does have dental issues though and I think that has been part of his problem so I have a protocol I follow after each protocol.

You have to remember that stasis is a slow down of the gut. Laxatone is a very old fashioned treatment that most rabbit savvy vets do not recommend any longer.

I would talk to your vet though about Pepcid AC which would help lower the ph in the stomach.

Vibes and keep us updated.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m sorry to hear your rabbit is sick I’ve dealt with stasis quite a bit with my 2 boys. And, yes, my rabbits tend to get sick on weekends too (Bindi was at the vet Easter weekend).

My vet recently told me to cut out all pellets with my boys and feed only plenty of veggies and good quality timothy hay. What is Lilly’s diet like?

[RabbitPam]

Sorry you two are going through this. Chronic conditions are hard, but you’re handling it well.

I think you can establish a regimen that you and your vet agree upon to try to get the situation under control. As Sarita described, she had frequent visits, but if that happens then you can work together with your vet to get the cause determined, and the treatment steady and effective.

[Andi]

Is this happening during sheds? What other type of high fiber foods other then hay is your bunny eating? Does your bunny eat a lot of hay?
Have you tried papaya enzmy tablets? (Oxbow sells them so do many health food stores, stay away from the sugary ones).
Does you bunny drink for a water dish or bottle, if a dish is it cleaned daily? drinking fur can be an issue.
How about stress? Is there something that stresses your bunny out?

Unfortunetly there are many different things that can cause a bunnies tummy troubles. I think the best bet is finding a good high fiber diet, brushing often and talking over what can be done with your vet. Makes sure there are no underlying heath issues that could be a factor in the stasis issues.

Good luck, and hope your buns feeling better soon.

[RabbitPam]

How is Lily today?

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