GI Stasis

[SmushyWillow]

Please help

My bunny is a 9 year old male, and he’s going through his 3rd bit of stasis this year. The first time was due to overgrown teeth, the second time was due to gas, and this time seems to be a combination of teeth and pain.

He was just in the vet today for urine scalding, so I know he’s not feeling his best because of that. Up until today, he has been drinking lots of water and eating pureed kale/spinach/carrots. After his vet visit, he had no interest in eating or drinking at all whatsoever.

He has just started on Metacam & an antibiotic, as well as urine scalding cream. I know to syringe feed critical care and water, and I also have gas drops.

I just want him to feel better and comfortable.

[DanaNM]

I’m sorry you are having trouble with your bun, 3 times is a lot for stasis. 🙁

Do you think he might be due for a dental filing? What antibiotic was he put on?

I know that @Wick ‘s bunny will lose his litter box habits when his teeth are hurting him, so maybe everything is related to his teeth? Dental pain can definitely cause stasis issues due to both the pain and reduced hay consumption. Fiber from hay is really important to keep the gut moving, so just veggie puree would not be enough to keep things healthy and moving, and proper nutrition long term. Critical care or other recovery food is really the best thing when they can’t eat hay, as it is meant to be complete nutrition.

. . . 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.  

[SmushyWillow]

Smushy is currently on Metacam & Cisapride from the vet, and I have been administering gas drops as well.

The cream for his feet is sulfadiazine.

[Jadeo09]

What they are eating could be causing gas, particularly the carrots.  So if you can avoid it it would help. But its important to get them to eat so their stomach doesnt shut down so I understand the need to get anything down them if they are being fussy.

My rabbit has been in and out of stasis lately  it was originally due to her teeth and she needed them doing again very shortly after she had them done. This really helped but we were left wih gas which caused her to stop eating as its so painful. Cisapride actually caused her gas so we swapped to ranitidine and it worked a treat. But cisapride is generally well tolerated so it may not be likely to be causing the gas.

 

You can give gas drops every hour for 4 hours to try to get it under control if they have gas again. Very gently bobbing their belly helps knock the gas on the right direction or something that vibrates helps disperse the gas too. If they are in pain they usually like.

If they arent eating at all it may be worth double checking they still arent having dental issues.

Our rabbits worst bout of stasis was caused by dehydration so it may be worth doing a check on the back of their neck to make sure they arent dehydrated.

Dont lose hope, it can seem endless but you can get them through and better again.

Stress is a big factor in gut issues. Mine has diarrhea everytime she gets upset now shes older. So making them feel safe is crucial. Mine liked being massaged, sang too and to to be by my side.

 

Hope you have lots of support, it can be so distressing to care for a bun that keeps getting poorly. X

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