Foods for Stasis

[Abigail Ray]

Hello! I have had my first bunny, Ella, for about 6 months. She is a little over a year old and we are experiencing our first gi stasis. I am a bit of a nervous wreck but I think, and hope, I am doing all that I can.

She is still pooping but it is a very little amount. She is still eating some hay and some pellets and I have gotten her to nibble at some veggies. Getting her to eat her critical care has proven difficult but it is easier when I mix it with some pumpkin. I am not good at force feeding her because I know how anxious it makes her – and me for that matter. I need to get better at it because I know it is for the best. She is also taking metoclopramide – I have heard a mix of good and bad about these meds so let me know what you think about that as well! She is still active and wants to run around, explore, and get attention. She does not seem to be in any pain and from what I can feel her belly is still soft and not bloated. 

My question is what veggies should I be trying to get her to eat? Anything I should avoid? I have given her kale which she ate a fair amount of. She has nibbled at romaine and cilantro but was happier about eating the kale. 

On a different note, I truly am a nervous wreck about this. It is so frustrating to love this little bunny so much and not know how to fix her or if she will even be ok. I always read such heart breaking stories about people losing the bunnies so suddenly so I am afraid she will not make it through this. She is still eating and pooping a little so I am trying to tell myself to calm down some. Any advice on how to stay calm and not jump to the worse conclusion at all hours of the day and night?

Thanks for reading! Any advice and knowledge will be so appreciated!!

[Muchelle]

Hi, don’t worry we’re all nervous wrecks when the bun’s poop is not good! As for the food, I usually give him fennel, celery and salad. Fennel/celery are good cause they’re full of fiber and can help get things going. As for kale I don’t personally give it to my bun cause it makes him gassy, you might try to see for a day or two if anything changes by not feeding her kale? Also check that she drinks a good amount of water during the day

Do calm down, it’s of not use to panic too much. Trust your vet, follow the orders and be firm when force feeding her, she can smell your insecurity and decide to rebel more (no kidding, mine was a monster the first time I had to give him critical care). Best of luck, keep us updated!

[Abigail Ray]

Thanks so much for the reply! I will get her some fennel and hold back some on the kale. I was just happy to have finally found a veggie she would eat during this!!

She is definitely not drinking enough water, I have been mixing her critical care with a little more water hoping that would help and the veggies that she will eat I try to give them to her a little wet. 

I will do my best to breathe and calm down some. I just want her to be okay again!! 

Thanks again! 

[sarahthegemini]

Whilst she is dealing with stasis, it isn’t wise to give her veggies that she hasn’t had before in case she has a reaction to them. Stick with what you know she tolerates. My Buttercup had stasis and recovered within a day or two but she was still eating quite well (just not pooping) Keep her hydrated. It’s great that you’re mixing the CC with extra water Serve her favourite veggies really wet too and try hand feeding her hay.

[Muchelle]

If she’s willing, you can syringe her some water right after CC, using a clean syringe. Trigger her licking reflex with the nozzle of the syringe and very carefully push in the water while she’s continously licking

[Abigail Ray]

I have called that emergency vet and I am waiting for someone to call me back with an availability for today. I noticed she had some cecum in her litter box and I have never seen her not eat them before, emergency vet said it would be best to try and bring her in. Her belly does feel a little harder but she also wouldn’t let me touch it like she usually would. Maybe I shouldn’t have given her kale. 

[Muchelle]

Rabbits can go into GI stasis for a million reasons, so don’t beat yourself. Do discuss about her diet with the vet. In the meanwhile remember not to panic and ring them back in a while if no one calls

[tobyluv]

It used to be thought that kale and cabbage and similar foods were likely to cause gas, and that may be true for some rabbits, but now it is thought that sugary foods are more likely to cause gas, and that rabbits process foods differently than people (who might get gas from cabbage). My rabbits get kale a lot and I know of other rabbit that are fed kale regularly with no problems. It’s always good to have infant simethicone on hand in case you suspect gas. It can be very helpful when a rabbit is having GI problems.

[Abigail Ray]

I called a few rabbit emergency vets and no one seems to have a rabbit specialist there tonight so I am left to do my best to care for her on my own.

The most confusing part is that she is behaving so normal. She is stretching out and flopping down like she always does. She is coming over to nudge me for attention and tooth purring (not in a “i’m in pain” way). She even shakes and does a small binky every now and then. And for someone who does not want her favorite veggies, she sure has no problem trying to eat the papers of the book I am reading. 

Thank you all for your responses! I am happy binkybunny exists! 

[Muchelle]

If she lets you, very *delicately* massage her tummy in a counter-clockwise motion, it can help her pass some gas (if that’s the problem, of course). If you hear gurgling noises while you do it, stuff is moving!

As tobyluv said, definitely do not give her sugars (fruit, carrot, juices) and keep going!

[Grazzzie]

Hi Abigail and Ella,

My bunny Tigger had stasis a couple of weeks ago too! Is there some type of food that I should keep at home so i can feed my Tigger in case anything happened?

[Abigail Ray]

Posted By Grazzzie on 4/01/2017 6:11 PM

Hi Abigail and Ella,

My bunny Tigger had stasis a couple of weeks ago too! Is there some type of food that I should keep at home so i can feed my Tigger in case anything happened?

Right now I am unsure but I hope to get to a vet as soon as I can. I plan to ask that and I will let you know if I find anything out! Someone mentioned that kale had caused their bunny some gas but I think that in Ella’s case it has slightly helped move things through her. I’d approach this with caution since other bunnies get gassy. 

I will ask my vet how I can be better prepared if/when this happens again and I can pass that info along if you would like. 

I hope Tigger is doing better. Ella still is in the midst of it and may have some ways to go. 

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