Ringo in gi stasis

[EveryPossibleWorld]

Ringo was fine this morning and all of a sudden he started acting gassy. I did the normal baby gas meds and pain meds, which usually works, but no luck. My rabbit vet who I used to love, refused to see me today even though it was an emergency! So I had to go to a different rabbit vet who I have never seen before. She not only told me that I shouldn’t be feeding him greens and should feed him more pellets, she also said not to force feed him critical care while his tummy is so large with gas. Instead, she wants me to go back tomorrow for more IV fluids if he isnt eating still. He is on motility meds, pain meds, and baby has meds now (plus the IV fluids he had at the vet). He did eat breakfast this morning before this all started so it is just now dinner time and there is no way he is gonna eat on his own. Do I listen to the vet and not give him critical care even though I have in the past? So worried and frustrated.

[EveryPossibleWorld]

Luckily, he just started eating his dinner salad and hay! But in the future, have any of you ever not force fed during stasis?

[MoxieMeadows]

I have no advice, But I’m glad he’s doing better.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I would discuss this with your normal vet-both that you got really bad advice, and that she couldn’t see you in an emergency. My vet can’t see us after hours, but she tells me who to go to. Your vet needs to give you an emergency back up; and if that was the backup she recommended you need to discuss!

Yes yes yes you force feed for stasis. -both for the fibre, and food but for fluid. You also want to get them moving around. Some have faith in gas meds, I do not and my vet does not, but then I haven’t had tons of stasis episodes to really try it. But I wouldn’t count on it. Pain meds are OK but they can also be hard on the tummy. What you really want for stasis is a gut motility drug (Reglan) sub Q fluids (or IV fluids) force feeding and get that bunny moving.

Debrief with your vet for sure, if you are having frequent gas/stasis episodes, then you may want to get rid of greens (Except one) reduce pellets, increase hay; then add back greens/veggies one at time; you want to figure out if there is a particular green causing gas which in turns causes pain and then anorexia and the stasis.

[EveryPossibleWorld]

Thanks for the advice!

[Sarita]

Did the vet look at his teeth? Greens should not cause gas but dental problems can.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m glad your bun is eating now.

I also think the vet gave you bad advice. My buns were dealing with stasis/gas frequently and my vet advised to drastically reduce their pellets and it worked. They now only get about 1-2 TBSP per day and have GI issues much less often.

[LongEaredLions]

Glad he’s eating and doing better.

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