GI Stasis

Gut Stasis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition where the normal movement of food through a rabbit’s digestive system slows down or stops altogether. The gastrointestinal system in rabbits depends on constant, healthy movement (motility) to function properly. When this slows down or stops, it can lead to a buildup of food, gas, and waste, causing discomfort and potentially fatal consequences if left untreated.

A rabbit’s gastrointestinal tract is a highly specialized system designed for the fermentation and breakdown of fibrous plant material. Its function depends on a high-fiber diet, proper hydration, and a healthy balance of gut bacteria. When any part of this system is disrupted—whether by diet, stress, or illness—it can lead to serious conditions like GI stasis. Regular access to fresh hay and a quality balanced diet is essential for keeping a rabbit’s digestive system healthy and functioning properly.

GI Stasis - What You Need to Know

    • Dietary Issues: A lack of fiber, such as insufficient hay intake, can lead to slow gut motility. Rabbits need a high-fiber diet to keep their digestive systems moving.

    • Stress: Emotional stress, including changes in environment, new animals, or even loud noises, can trigger GI stasis.

    • Dental Problems: Dental disease or overgrown teeth can make it painful for rabbits to eat and chew properly, leading to insufficient food intake.

    • Pain: Any kind of pain, such as from injury or infection, can reduce the urge to eat, leading to stasis.

    • Infections or Diseases: Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, as well as medical conditions such as liver disease, mega colon or kidney failure, can impact digestive function.

    • Dehydration: Insufficient water intake or dehydration can significantly affect gastrointestinal motility.

     

    • Loss of Appetite: Refusal to eat is a sign that your rabbit may be in stasis. When your rabbits refuses food or their favourite treats this needs to be taken seriously.

    • Reduced Fecal Output: Rabbits may stop producing their usual droppings, or the droppings may be very small or absent.

    • Lethargy: The rabbit may seem unusually tired or inactive.

    • Abdominal Discomfort: The abdomen may feel bloated or painful, and the rabbit may show signs of discomfort when touched or push their stomachs into the ground.

    • Grinding Teeth: This is a common sign of pain in rabbits. Rabbits also grind their teeth when happy so its important that you know your rabbits’ normal behaviours.

    • Changes in Behavior: They may become more withdrawn or grumpy due to discomfort.

    • Immediate Veterinary Attention: If your rabbit shows signs of GI stasis, it’s critical to get them to a rabbit-savvy veterinarian as soon as possible. GI stasis is an emergency situation. If your rabbit becomes more lethargic, stops eating or drinking completely, or their stomach becomes bloated, this indicates a severe case, and urgent vet intervention is needed.

    • Supportive Care: If caught early, supporting hydration, a healthy diet of fresh hay, and possibly hand-feeding with syringe feeding of critical care formula can help.

    • Addressing the Underlying Cause:
      When managing GI stasis in bunnies, it is essential to identify and address any underlying health issues that could be contributing to the condition. Common causes include dental disease, where overgrown or misaligned teeth can cause pain, leading to decreased food intake and disrupted digestion. Infections, whether gastrointestinal or systemic, can also impair the normal function of the digestive tract. Additionally, other factors like stress, dehydration, or a poor diet may exacerbate GI stasis. A thorough veterinary examination is important to diagnose these underlying conditions and provide appropriate treatment. Early intervention can prevent further complications and improve the chances of recovery for the bunny.

At Home Preventives and Supportive Care

Encourage Hydration

  • Provide fresh water: Ensure your rabbit always has access to fresh water. Dehydration can cause or make GI stasis worsen.

  • Syringe feeding: If your rabbit is not drinking enough, you can syringe-feed electrolyte solution or water. Be sure to do this slowly and gently to avoid aspiration (inhalation into the lungs).

Stimulate Appetite and Motility

  • Critical Care Formula: You may need to feed your rabbit critical care (a special high-fibre, easy-to-digest formula for rabbits) if they aren't eating on their own. This is available at most vet offices or pet stores.

    • To feed, mix the formula with water to make a paste and syringe-feed it into their mouth. Instructions are on the bag.

    • Small, frequent meals: Offer small amounts every few hours to keep their energy up and avoid overwhelming their system.DO NOT OVER FEED, this can cause additional discomfort or if your rabbit has a blockage can become fatal.

  • Fresh Greens: Offer your rabbit their favourite fresh leafy greens (such as parsley, mint, Raspberry Leaf’s, cilantro, or dandelion greens). Do not feed anything like male, broccoli that are high in gas when broken down in the gut. Additionally, you can soak the greens in water to absorb extra moisture.

    • Avoid high-sugar veggies like carrots or fruit, which might worsen GI motility issues.

  • Papaya or Pineapple: Some people use small amounts of papaya or pineapple to encourage eating because they contain enzymes (papain and bromelain) that can aid digestion. However, this should only be a supplement to other forms of care, not a primary treatment.

Pain Management

  • Consult your vet about pain relief: Rabbits with GI stasis are often in pain, and providing pain relief is critical for their recovery. Never administer any medication without veterinary approval.

Keep the Environment Calm

  • Reduce stress: Rabbits are sensitive to stress, which can exacerbate GI stasis. Create a calm, quiet environment for your rabbit to rest in.

    • Minimize loud noises and avoid handling the rabbit too much.

    • Make sure the environment is warm but not too hot (60-70°F is ideal). Cold temperatures can slow digestion further, while heat can cause dehydration.

Provide a High-Fibre Diet

  • Hay is a must: Ensure your rabbit has unlimited access to fresh hay, such as timothy hay. The fibre in hay helps stimulate the digestive system and encourages gut motility.

  • Avoid pellets: While you can offer some high-quality pellets, reduce or eliminate them if your rabbit is not eating. The focus should be on hay and fresh greens.

  • Limit treats: Avoid high-sugar treats, which can worsen GI stasis. Stick to healthy, low-sugar options like herbs or leafy greens.

Gentle Exercise

  • Encourage movement: If your rabbit is still active enough, try to encourage gentle movement. Movement can help stimulate the digestive system.

    • Provide opportunities for your rabbit to hop around in a safe space.

    • Avoid forcing your rabbit to move if they are too lethargic or in pain.

Monitor the Symptoms

  • Track their condition: Keep an eye on your rabbit’s droppings. If they stop producing fecal pellets, or if the cecotrophs are absent, the condition may be worsening.

  • Monitor their behaviour: Observe if they show signs of pain (e.g., grinding teeth, hunched posture) or if their behaviour becomes more lethargic.

  • If there’s no improvement within 12-24 hours, or if symptoms worsen, you need to consult a vet immediately.

Warmth

  • Provide warmth: If your rabbit is feeling cold, you can gently warm them up with a heating pad set to low. Place a towel or cloth between the heat source and your rabbit to prevent burns. Ensure they are not overheated. If they wont sit in one spot you can warm up a towel or blanket in the dryer and wrap it around their tummy like a birds nest.

    • Ensure the room temperature is comfortable—if it's too cold, it may worsen GI motility.