Constant GI Stasis

[grace]

Hey guys 🙂

 

This is my first time posting here but have been consulting the forums heaps.

In November last year I adopted my bunny, Monty from a local shelter he’s a 2.5 year old mini lop and has been an awesome addition.

He had his first bout of stasis in late January this year and since then there’s been 4-5 stasis episodes.

The first one, after the initial one in January, was the night after he got his vaccines at the vet so I ruled that out as stress related as the vet was quite stressful for him. The next one was about a week after (after this I decided to take him off the pellets because I thought that was it) the one after the vets. 2 weeks after that another bout. Then a week after that another one. I’m really puzzled at what it could be, the vet said his teeth were absolutely perfect, he has access to unlimited oaten and grass hay, and gets about 3 hours of exercise per day and 4 cups of veggies consisting of romaine, carrot tops, mint, parsley, and coriander. The vet thought it may be hair related too but x-rays showed no blockages and Monty gets papaya every day as well as being groomed everyday. I’m really at a loss at what could be causing this

[jerseygirl]

Your profile photo is too cute! They are good at flopping and napping like that. had a lop the same colour as Monty.

His diet sounds great but there is always a chance there is something in there (even if healthy) that he is not reacting well too. Do you recall what Monty was eating before adoption?

What type of litter does he have? Do you ever see him eat some of it?

What about access to cardboard?  It’s really common to give our bunnies cardboard boxes and toys. Some rabbits will eat it and it’s no big deal. But it can cause some problems for others.

[grace]

Hey! thanks so much for getting back to me 🙂

 

When he was at the rescue he was on pretty basic salad mix and cos lettuce, and the type of litter I use is the recycled paper pellet type things  (can’t remember the name lol) I’ve never caught him eating though my litter box is like completely full of hay. I’m pretty sure it is the same one they use at the rescue place also. He hasn’t had access to cardboard in a while but when he did (about 2 months ago) he would chew it like crazy. I think what i’ll do is keep the greens really basic and then slowly introduce them?

[jerseygirl]

It sounds like he has been used to greens then.

I think what i’ll do is keep the greens really basic and then slowly introduce them?

It couldnt hurt to try…

What typically happens when he has had these episodes? How does he act?

[grace]

It always happens on a weekend or public holiday unfortunately and what will happen is he’ll poop a little in the morning and the poop will be smaller so that’s what sets the alarm bells off. By the nighttime there will be no poop and he won’t touch greens but will eat hay and that’s when I start crit care metacam, zantac and gas drops. It happens so often now that our vet has said don’t come in unless it is really bad because there is nothing else they would do besides fluids. The duration of the stasis seems to be getting longer and longer through, like the first time it was only a couple days now its like a week before he will start eating normally again.

[DanaNM]

Ughhh so stressful! And OMG that picture is so cute!

Does he seem gassy when he’s at the beginning of the slow-downs? The only thing I can think of is maybe it’s too many veggies? After one of my bunnies passed away I didn’t reduce the amount of veggies accordingly for my remaining bun, and I realized he was getting gassy and uncomfortable in the afternoons, I think from eating such a huge veggie meal. I reduced his veggies by about half (he prob gets 1 cup in the morning an 1 cup in the evening, he’s about 5 lbs), and he is much better.

You might try reducing his veggies and see if that helps. Since this is happening with the papaya you could also try removing the papaya.

If he eats critical care from a spoon or a plate willingly (some buns will if it’s not mixed too thin), you can also offer him some at the first signs of slow down and see if that nips it in the bud.

. . . 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.  

[grace]

Hi!

yeah the too many veggies is the conclusion that I’ve come to also- when he first had stasis I had just gotten a huggeee box of greens really cheap and I overdid it way to much and he got heaps and then bam stasis. His stomach will get a little hard during stasis but gas drops help HEAPS. He actually really likes the crit care off the plate surprisingly.

Thanks you guys for all the help 🙂

[jerseygirl]

That he goes to eat hay is a good sign. He obviously knows he’s needing fibre then. It’s the best thing for him during those times. Rabbits will often snub their favourite things when they’re feeling “off”. You might find pellets are the last thing they  go back to showing interest in. But as long as they’re getting fibre in through hay, grass or other forage, and drinking, pooping, then things are good.

If you have access to roses that haven’t been treated with chemicals, that’s good to offer them. The leaves, twigs and flowers. I like to have some dried willow & rose petals & leaves on hand as my rabbits will often eat this if they’re snubbing their other food. Apple, pear or raspberry leaves might be appealing also.

Im glad the gas drops have helped at times. I use those when I see my rabbits pressing their tummy down. I’ve also found Zantac very effective recently but I try save my supply because it’s not available at the moment. So I try gas drops (infacol) first.

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