GI Stasis advice needed for a newbie owner please

Hi this morning our 4 month old mini lop Luna had GI stasis, huddled up ignoring food & treats & then collapsed in a corner - I thought she’d died. We rushed her to our local vet as by then it was 8am & we would have taken ages to get to our vet & I was so worried she was dying.

The vet gave her Metacam & something to get her gut going & another injection. She has perked up & has been eating lightly (grass dandelions & raspberry leaves) but not drinking & no poop I think (she is with a neutered male so not 100% sure).

Should I stress her out & take her to our vets or just monitor for now? How long before I have to worry about lack of poos? Thanks!

New bunnies said:

Hi this morning our 4 month old mini lop Luna had GI stasis, huddled up ignoring food & treats & then collapsed in a corner - I thought she’d died. We rushed her to our local vet as by then it was 8am & we would have taken ages to get to our vet & I was so worried she was dying.

The vet gave her Metacam & something to get her gut going & another injection. She has perked up & has been eating lightly (grass dandelions & raspberry leaves) but not drinking & no poop I think (she is with a neutered male so not 100% sure).

Should I stress her out & take her to our vets or just monitor for now? How long before I have to worry about lack of poos? Thanks!

Click to expand...

Hello

Did the Vet rule out a full GI tract obstruction ? This would include a full abdominal examination, a blood glucose test and possibly an abdominal Xray ? Were you given medication to continue to administer at home ie pain relief (Metacam) and prokinetics (Gut motility stimulating meds-Metoclopramide and Ranitidine).

Fluids are very important as part of the treatment for gut stasis. Did the Vet administer any fluids subcutaneously ? Were you advised to syringe feed Luna ?

If she has not had any fecal output all day personally I would want to have her re-examined by a Rabbit Savvy Vet this afternoon/evening. Especially if the Vet you saw earlier did not prescribe any ongoing medication.

This link provides good information about Gut Stasis

http://anyflip.com/dvpt/hzvv

I hope that Luna will feel better soon.

Thanks Jack’s-Jane, no treatment for home & no mention of fluid really just told to get her eating so gave her pellets which probably wasn’t the best. He did exam her tummy but no x-Ray etc. Have seen from further reading about fluids so washing grass etc & put water bowl in but i’m not sure she’s touching it or the bottle. I’ve now made an appointment for this eve with our vet who told me can pick up some food for syringe feeding. Feel awful she’s so little to have this.

New bunnies said:

Thanks Jack’s-Jane, no treatment for home & no mention of fluid really just told to get her eating so gave her pellets which probably wasn’t the best. He did exam her tummy but no x-Ray etc. Have seen from further reading about fluids so washing grass etc & put water bowl in but i’m not sure she’s touching it or the bottle. I’ve now made an appointment for this eve with our vet who told me can pick up some food for syringe feeding. Feel awful she’s so little to have this.

Click to expand...

I think you are doing the right thing by taking her back to the Vets. I hope that he/she will be a bit more proactive with providing ongoing treatment. Good luck x

Sending lots of vibes for her, hopefully the vet will be able to find the cause of the stasis, and give medication for ongoing treatment.

New bunnies said:

Thanks Jack’s-Jane, no treatment for home & no mention of fluid really just told to get her eating so gave her pellets which probably wasn’t the best. He did exam her tummy but no x-Ray etc. Have seen from further reading about fluids so washing grass etc & put water bowl in but i’m not sure she’s touching it or the bottle. I’ve now made an appointment for this eve with our vet who told me can pick up some food for syringe feeding. Feel awful she’s so little to have this.

Click to expand...

Yes wet veggies are good

If this continues, you might want to ask your vet about doing a blood glucose test ...

Blood glucose is measured in mmol/ml (millimoles/litre)

Normal: 4-8 mmol/ml

2-4 mmol/ltr – needs food – rabbit is experiencing gut stasis
If less that 2 mmol/ltr, call vet

8-15 mmol/ltr Rabbit is stressed, but can stay at home
More than 15mmol/ltr, less than 20 – Call vet, start to worry…
More than 20 mmol/ltr, needs surgery.


The other thing you could add in, which won't do any harm as it doesn't interact with other meds, is Infacol.
If you've not come across it, you can google and see it's infant gas meds.
People on here have found it highly effective for rabbits in stasis.
You can give one ml every hour for three doses.

Some info here:

http://anyflip.com/dvpt/hzvv/basic

http://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/pdfs/ROWinter10p7.pdf


I give rose leaves, bramble leaves and fresh picked grass for stasis. Also herbs can sometimes whet the appetite .. coriander, parsley and dill are faves.

Are you syringe feeding? I mix mashed pellets or Recovery food with organic baby food pouches such as Ella's Kitchen - fruit or veg whichever is the preference.

Good luck at the vets x

Hoping your bunny is better soon.

How is Luna doing now ?

I hope your bunny is on the mend. We care.

Hi everyone, thanks for all your advice. Our vet said he could feel quite a bit of fecal matter in her & nothing that would suggest a blockage. He gave her more Emeprid & Ranitidine plus Fibreplex & some to take home.

She was quieter last night but ran over for breakfast this morning & is drinking again & has done some small dark poos. I guess she was having lots of greens, grass & raspberry leaves & dandelions so that the colour is normal? She was also digging in her favourite corner again so I think on the mend! Phew!!

New bunnies said:

Hi everyone, thanks for all your advice. Our vet said he could feel quite a bit of fecal matter in her & nothing that would suggest a blockage. He gave her more Emeprid & Ranitidine plus Fibreplex & some to take home.

She was quieter last night but ran over for breakfast this morning & is drinking again & has done some small dark poos. I guess she was having lots of greens, grass & raspberry leaves & dandelions so that the colour is normal? She was also digging in her favourite corner again so I think on the mend! Phew!!

Click to expand...

This looks like positive progress. Dark & mishapen poo, small in size is totally normal for a bun who has been through stasis. It can take a few days or more to resolve. As you say forage often makes poo darker too

New bunnies said:

Hi everyone, thanks for all your advice. Our vet said he could feel quite a bit of fecal matter in her & nothing that would suggest a blockage. He gave her more Emeprid & Ranitidine plus Fibreplex & some to take home.

She was quieter last night but ran over for breakfast this morning & is drinking again & has done some small dark poos. I guess she was having lots of greens, grass & raspberry leaves & dandelions so that the colour is normal? She was also digging in her favourite corner again so I think on the mend! Phew!!

Click to expand...

Glad to hear that she seems to be on the mend

New bunnies said:

Hi everyone, thanks for all your advice. Our vet said he could feel quite a bit of fecal matter in her & nothing that would suggest a blockage. He gave her more Emeprid & Ranitidine plus Fibreplex & some to take home.

She was quieter last night but ran over for breakfast this morning & is drinking again & has done some small dark poos. I guess she was having lots of greens, grass & raspberry leaves & dandelions so that the colour is normal? She was also digging in her favourite corner again so I think on the mend! Phew!!

Click to expand...

You're welcome

Definitely on the mend and I'm happy things are getting better!
Improvement can be slow, but whilst there's input and output, that's good

It is good to hear that Luna has improved and is acting more like herself. Your prompt action in getting her treatment was key to her recovery. Luna is lucky to have you.

New bunnies said:

Hi everyone, thanks for all your advice. Our vet said he could feel quite a bit of fecal matter in her & nothing that would suggest a blockage. He gave her more Emeprid & Ranitidine plus Fibreplex & some to take home.

She was quieter last night but ran over for breakfast this morning & is drinking again & has done some small dark poos. I guess she was having lots of greens, grass & raspberry leaves & dandelions so that the colour is normal? She was also digging in her favourite corner again so I think on the mend! Phew!!

Click to expand...

great news