GI Stasis in my Rescue Bunny

[OliverandElise]

Hello all, looking for some advice on my next step as I have a bunny in pain.

Twix is a 3 year old, mixed breed house rabbit Society rescue. She weighs 8lbs and normally has a healthy appetite. She is spayed and has had 0 health problems thus far.

Friday and Saturday she was her normal self. Sunday morning, she didn’t seem interested in her pellets but still came to the front to greet me. I thought maybe since I was feeding unusually early it was just a fluke. Fast forward two hours and we come home from running errands. Twix had not moved at all and was sitting hunched up. When I went to pick her up I realized she had urinated all over herself from not wanting to move (she usually has perfect litterbox manners). I then offered her some banana (her favorite thing ever) and she refused it and pushed me away. I suspected GI Stasis and wasted no more time before getting her to our emergency vet. Our usual vet does not work weekends but the same clinic has an exotic vet on staff at all times. This doc did not take my bunny’s temp or do xrays or anything. They gave her subcutaneous fluids and prescribed critical care and metacam .76 ml per 24 hrs. When we got home Sunday night she managed to eat a few bites of hay on her own and drank a few sips of water. We did the critical care regimen (she kept trying to refuse and was much more difficult than my other buns) and gave her pain meds.

This morning we came downstairs and she was hunched up worse than before and had her head propped up on her water crock. We got her out to do some critical care and she just seemed listless and painful. She had still not urinated or defecated since peeing on herself the day prior. We rushed her back to the vet clinic and saw another er vet who seemed more knowledgable about rabbits. He did temperature (99.1), xrays, gave
Metoclopramide and more fluids and let her rest a bit. The xrays showed no obstruction but a little lump in her tummy that they think is hair or food secondary to the stasis. They sent her home with me and upped her metacam dose to 2ml per 24hrs. It is now 9pm our time and we have done her meds, given critical care and she was able to eat a few bites of hay again. She has not urinated although she has passed one single poop. She is still refusing all herbs and greens. She has started grinding her teeth today and is still really hunched over. I’m thinking we will be headed back to the vet in the morning but just looking for advice!!!!! Hate seeing my baby in pain!!

[Bunny House]

Poor thing. The temp does seem low, it indicates stress if the body of below 101. She should be kept warm. X-rays should always be done before saying to force feed as a blockage can be deadly(one of my buns I lost to a blockage). Stasis is a symptom of an underlying issue so it may be from the hair. Did you give baby gas drops? Those aren’t absorbed in the body so it’s safe to give. She should be peeing if she’s getting subq fluids. How much did they give her? If she’s about 4 pounds it should be 400ml worth or more in 2 days. This makes me think she’s not absorbing them or her urethras is clogged because stasis doesn’t affect peeing. Are you giving fluids in the mouth through a syringe? This can help moisten up any blockage if sub q fluids can’t get to it. Do you see a ball of fluid around her abdomen or front legs that’s not absorbed? If it’s not then she needs to go back as that means the body can’t absorb liquids and needs then IV. People say pineapple juice can help with hair balls- but not too much.
How is she now?

[Bunny House]

Forgot you said 8 pounds, when I gave my 9poound one fluids she peed like crazy after since it was about 300-400ml a day

[OliverandElise]

Woke up this morning and she may have nibbled a few bites of hay but it’s not much. I did see her pee a small amount this morning and another single poop. The xray showed no obstruction so we have been giving critical care. New symptom this morning is that when giving critical care she is “grinding” her teeth. I put the ” because it’s kind of a mix of grinding and making her teeth “squeak”. Since she is such a large bunny we are trying to get the full dosing of critical care throughout the day but it’s quite hard.

I don’t see balls of fluid that haven’t been absorbed and I have not tried baby gas drops but I can go get some. The vet said yesterday if no improvement to bring her back and they would admit her. I’m stuck whether to bring her back or not as she is bonded to one of my other buns and I think he helps comfort her.

[Bam]

Could you bring the other bun to the vet too? Some vets allow that for bonded rabbits.

[OliverandElise]

I brought both of them in together on the first two visits, but when they take her back they only take her. Yesterday we had to leave her there for 2 hours but they wanted me to take my little guy with me and not leave them together.

[Bam]

Well, then it is difficult and it depends on how poorly your girl is. She might need intensive care, in which case her bonded mate couldn’t be around anyway. Keeping my fingers crossed for your girl and trust you will make the best decicion for her.

[OliverandElise]

She did hold her head and ears up for me and attempted to groom her husbun which is amazing compared to her last 48 hours!! Doctor said they can call in something starting with a B for pain or I can bring her in later this evening. I am trying some gas drops too

[Bunny House]

Buprenophine is a good painmed, but it does cause drowsiness just to let you know. I hope she turns around!

[Bam]

Gas drops wont hurt and many bunnies respond very well to it. . Buprenorphine is as Bunny House says a good bunny painkiller. It often makes the bun drowsy as a side effect, but that is normal.

This is a good article about stasis in rabbits, you probably know most of it but there might be something you can find helpful. Dont be scared by the first few lines, it’s written by a very good rabbit expert: http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html

[OliverandElise]

So last night she perked up quite a bit and when offered critical care she made a run for it and zoomed up the stairs. She is much more active!! She has pooped more as well and doesn’t look like she hurts as much. She certainly isn’t as bloated looking.

We are still using Critical Care as she isn’t eating much on her own or drinking much but I am least happy with the sassy attitude.

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