Recovering from GI Stasis

[Super Sly]

Hi there! I’m new to the group. I adopted a 2 year old Mini Rex named Stanley. He is recovering from GI stasis that has him in the ER for almost 5 days. He had blood work, ultra sounds and was given IV, pain meds and antibiotics. This is an excellent hospital in Boston run by the MSPCA and the doctor was an an exotic specialist. He’s been home since Tuesday. He went from going super tiny when coming home to having extremely soft poop. I sent a photo in to the doctor and she prescribed me probiotics which he just started yesterday. Im wondering how long the recovery process can take and also if anyone else has problem with loose stools during recovery? That’s my biggest concern. We are still doing critical care as he doesn’t show much interest in hay. However, he is drinking water and eating his greens. He’s active and runs to me thinking it’s time for more greens, but could care less about his hay. Am I just being impatient?

[DanaNM]

Stasis recovery can take a frustratingly long time. It’s been compared to “trying to jump start a train”, so patience is important. The fact that he’s excited for greens is excellent. And it’s OK that the poops are soft at this point, it’s important that he’s pooping at all. The antibiotics could have upset him a bit which is prob why the Dr prescribed a probiotic.

The appetite for hay should return in time, keep offering whatever he will eat for now, even if it’s veggies, and keep supplementing the CC until he starts eating his hay normally again.

. . . 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.  

[Super Sly]

He’s def. pooping! I just wish it wasn’t soft.  I’ve having to constantly wash his bunny bottom!  I’ve never had a rabbit who went soft so I panicked.  I’ve been in touch with his vet through this process but it’s nice to hear from other folks that have been in similar situations.  I know I have to be patient.  I just want him to feel better.  He is doing much better than when he was in the hospital.  He comes to me when I open something and shows interest in food – just not into hay or pellets at the moment.  I’ve been giving him veggies but I was afraid that the veggies (just basic like romaine) was going to make him go even softer.  He’s eating it which is what matters but this poor guy can’t catch a break!

[DanaNM]

If you can incorporate some herbs and other veggies that might be more “substantial” that may help. Things like dandelion, cilantro, mint, dill, fennel, basil, and carrot tops are all very healthy for buns. This list shows dif medicinal herbs and what they can be used for (mint can be especially good for buns with gut issues):

http://www.disabledrabbits.com/herbs.html

Fresh grass (if you can find it) can also be very good for buns recovering from gut issues.

Have tooth issues been ruled out in your bun?

 

. . . 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.  

[LBJ10]

It isn’t unusual for poops to fluctuate in size, consistency, etc. during the recovery period. Their GI tract is out of wack and it’s trying to correct itself.

[Super Sly]

Thanks, I just wish I would see more solid poops.  It doesn’t help that he ends up stepping or sitting in it which means I have to wash his bottom.  I am shocked he has been patient with me so far doing that.  He doesn’t like it, but he lets me… blow drying him is a task.  Who knew a little bunny bottom took so long to blow dry!!!

[Super Sly]

Ok, i walked by to see what he was doing and he is snacking on some pellets… This morning he had his critical care at around 5:30 and ate a piece of romaine.  Now is nibbling on pellets.  All good signs, just need formed poop!  I’m tired of washing his bottom and doing laundry!  It smells toxic! yuck!

[DanaNM]

That’s a great sign!

What antibiotic is he on and what is it for?

. . . 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.  

[Super Sly]

He went to the hospital and appeared to have a GI obstruction (hair). They put him on Metronidazole, meloxicam and Tramadol.  When he started going mushy, they put him on visbiorne for a probiotic.

[Super Sly]

So I think we will be making a trip to his vet tomorrow.  Although he is eating veggies and gets excited to see me coming with them, I am not too thrilled about the fact that he is getting a wet tail/bottom and I’ve had to wash him and blow dry him several times today.  Between that and the soft stools, I think it’s best that I take him in for a follow-up.  I have to call in tomorrow morning around 7:30am to get a same day appointment. With the holiday week, I don’t want to risk waiting and having to deal with the animal hospital.  I’ll be paying that bill off for a very long time.  Can antibiotics screw up their stomachs so bad that everything goes wild?? I’ve never had a rabbit that had to take it before.  He’s been off of them for at least 3 or 4 days… It’s just so heartbreaking.  All I do is worry about him and I know he is getting annoyed with me poking at him so much. I just want to keep him clean!

[DanaNM]

Is he still on the antibiotic? I’m wondering why he was put on it at all. Some non-rabbit savvy vets prescribe antibiotics for gut issues, but only when an infection is suspected. Usually the treatment for an obstruction is fluid therapy,  pain meds and syringe feeding.  If he is still on the antibiotic I would personally be asking the vet if I could stop it. For stasis the meds usually involve pain meds (meloxicam) and sometimes motility meds (either metaclopromide, cisapride, or both). Tramadol is an opiod and can cause gut slowing so it’s usually avoided in stasis, but if he was in extreme pain it may have been warranted.

I agree with trying to get this sorted before the holiday.

 

. . . 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.  

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