brookebunny
Member
Hi my name is Brooke, I am a vet tech inMaryland, as well as a pre vet student. I have 3 rabbits in my warren,and i wanted to address the issue of GI (gastro-intestinal) stasis. Ihave read many of the postings about this and quite frankly I am alittle bit frightened by some of the mis-information I have seen. Soplease please please read this before another bunny dies.
Some of the Early Warning Signs of Stasis are increasingly smallersized fecal pellets, as well as reduced appetite. Basically,when you start to see these symptoms, bunny's GI system is gettingready to shut down. Yes, sometimes these problems work themselves outon their own, but in many cases the problem cannot be solved as easilyas giiving bunny papaya enzymes, lactobacillus or pumpkin fiber. Infact in many recent studies in exotic veterinary madicine, these thingshave little to no effect at all but instead are helping your bunny bytime, before the next time they start exhibiting Stasis.
+ So what causes stasis?: diet, stress, obesity etc.
And essentially what is happening to bunny, is that the digestivesystem is slowing down, and in many cases comes to a complete hault!When this happens, bunny can die! If bunny is exhibiting any of thesigns of GI stasis, he or she needs to get to an exotics only rabbitvet within 48 hours of the presenting problem otherwise this conditioncan and in most cases will result in death! GI stasis is the number 1killer of rabbits!
The good news is that GI stasis in most cases is highly treatable! Agood rabbit vet may prescribe subcutaneous fluids for hydration (whichcan easily be given at home) as well as motility drugs such as REGLAN(for upper GI) and Propulsid (for lower GI).
even more important is making sure that bunny gets pain management. Themost common pain medication being MEDICAM or MELOXICAM. Bunnies thatdont feel well do not like to eat at all.
I don't mean to scare anyone, but I believe that awareness is extremelyimportant reguarding your bunny's health. Also know that adiet that consists 90% of quality hay (oxbow western timothyis best) is a great way to prevent stasis related to diet.
Educate yourself on rabbit diets, because a rabbits health isbased mostly upon what they eat. And make sure toysare rabbit safe, like cardboard or orchard wood which areboth excellent fiber sources for bunny. stay away from plastics andthings that are not digestable.
I know I sound preachy but I have been through stasis with my rabbits(before being a tech and pre-vet student), it is a very hard thing togo through, but a real eye opener abput all of the mis-information outthere. If anyone ever has a question about this silent killer andprevention or treatment, please feel free to contact me.
Some of the Early Warning Signs of Stasis are increasingly smallersized fecal pellets, as well as reduced appetite. Basically,when you start to see these symptoms, bunny's GI system is gettingready to shut down. Yes, sometimes these problems work themselves outon their own, but in many cases the problem cannot be solved as easilyas giiving bunny papaya enzymes, lactobacillus or pumpkin fiber. Infact in many recent studies in exotic veterinary madicine, these thingshave little to no effect at all but instead are helping your bunny bytime, before the next time they start exhibiting Stasis.
+ So what causes stasis?: diet, stress, obesity etc.
And essentially what is happening to bunny, is that the digestivesystem is slowing down, and in many cases comes to a complete hault!When this happens, bunny can die! If bunny is exhibiting any of thesigns of GI stasis, he or she needs to get to an exotics only rabbitvet within 48 hours of the presenting problem otherwise this conditioncan and in most cases will result in death! GI stasis is the number 1killer of rabbits!
The good news is that GI stasis in most cases is highly treatable! Agood rabbit vet may prescribe subcutaneous fluids for hydration (whichcan easily be given at home) as well as motility drugs such as REGLAN(for upper GI) and Propulsid (for lower GI).
even more important is making sure that bunny gets pain management. Themost common pain medication being MEDICAM or MELOXICAM. Bunnies thatdont feel well do not like to eat at all.
I don't mean to scare anyone, but I believe that awareness is extremelyimportant reguarding your bunny's health. Also know that adiet that consists 90% of quality hay (oxbow western timothyis best) is a great way to prevent stasis related to diet.
Educate yourself on rabbit diets, because a rabbits health isbased mostly upon what they eat. And make sure toysare rabbit safe, like cardboard or orchard wood which areboth excellent fiber sources for bunny. stay away from plastics andthings that are not digestable.
I know I sound preachy but I have been through stasis with my rabbits(before being a tech and pre-vet student), it is a very hard thing togo through, but a real eye opener abput all of the mis-information outthere. If anyone ever has a question about this silent killer andprevention or treatment, please feel free to contact me.
