GI stasis is typically caused by a physiologic change in bacteria. This is an instinctive behavior since prey animals usually target the sick or injured rabbits in the wild. Bloat can be caused by a variety of things including a blockage. If you're concerned about the health of your pet you should seek medical advice from a vet. If rabbits eat processed carbohydrates, this can over or under-stimulate the peristaltic muscle movements. Gentle tummy massages also go a long way. If your rabbit’s stools are covered in a yellow mucus, this indicates enteritis. 5 How can I prevent GI Stasis? Indeed, some vets refer to this condition as Rabbit Gastrointestinal Syndrome (RGIS). Getting annual check-ups with your vet is the best way to make sure your rabbit’s joints are monitored, so you can pick up arthritis as soon as it develops. How long does GI Stasis in rabbits last? Spay and neuter your rabbits. so i found out he had it just a few hours after he got it. Only a veterinarian can accurately diagnose this condition in pet rabbits. Figure 1. Digestive problems are common in pet rabbits. GI stasis in rabbits is a slow-down of the rabbit's digestive system. You’ll know your rabbit is returning to good health when their tummy gurgles gently. Allow your rabbit to spend time with his/her bonding partner (unless your vet has told you to keep them apart). The hallmarks of treatment for non-obstructive GI motility disorders in rabbits are hydration therapy, analgesia, and the promotion of GI motility. Sparky is a 10 year old Lionhead - he's always been a very healthy bunny, with a healthy appetite! My objective is to help owners to keep their pet rabbits happy and healthy. If not treated, GI stasis can lead to bloating, weight loss, kidney failure, and sudden death. According to NCBI, symptoms of GI stasis include: If you recognize any of these symptoms in your rabbit, you should seek medical attention immediately. Hutch and Cage is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk. To promote recovery, rabbits should be encouraged to return to normal eating as soon as possible. In healthy rabbits, some of the undigested food from the large intestine will pass through into the rabbit’s cecum. Call your vet if you feel your rabbit is no longer showing the first signs, but signs they have been suffering a while. If your rabbit goes into stasis frequently, make an appointment with a rabbit-savvy vet … 60-70 degrees F is the best temperature for most rabbits. Have they stopped eating? (Food & Nutrition for Mice), Can Hamsters Sneeze? So, at the very least, GI stasis will cause malnutrition and weight loss. Blocked intestines are extremely serious and require immediate medical treatment. If your rabbit has stopped eating for 12 hours, this is a problem that should be addressed by a vet, possibly with critical care. This fiber plays an important role in gut motility and transit time by stimulating peristalsis throughout the GI tract. Administering IV fluids to help soften the build-up of fecal matter in the intestines. In order to understand what happens in GI stasis it is important to understand the normal function of the rabbit GI tract. Some underlying causes of GI stasis can be contagious. This means arthritis in rabbits is frequently missed. The term ileus is also used to describe this failure of peristalsis. Managing GI stasis in rabbits Michelle Clark and Richard Saunders look at diagnosing the slow-moving gut syndrome, medical and surgical treatment options and prevention of this potentially fatal condition. So, predators should be kept at bay and noise should be kept to a minimum, Visit the vet if bowel habits or behavior are out-of-the-ordinary. Rabbits often hide pain, and usually do not limp or cry out with arthritis. 1. Although GI stasis is severe, it can usually be treated (if caught early). So, if a rabbit is diagnosed with GI stasis, this means that the intestines have become sluggish. These drugs are usually very effective, but they must be used with care. Treatment. Rabbits in GI stasis tend to be unwilling to eat or drink, so it may be a good idea to administer subcutaneous fluids as a precaution, unless the rabbit has known kidney or heart malfunctions, or other problems that your vet will be able to determine that would contradict administration of subQ fluids. Obviously, if you are away or on holiday or and have someone looking after your rabbit, that can't be helped but under normal circumstances, exercise is a must. Fir… Diabetes mellitus was not encountered. They may prescribe antibiotics to deal with the bacteria build-up. This will help restore their appetite. 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