GI Stasis

GI stasis is a silent killer among rabbits. This comes on quickly and if left untreated, can be fatal within 24 hours.

Some rabbits are more prone to stasis than others like my bunny Juniper. She has a higher instance of stasis because she dos not like to drink water. Recognizing the signs of stasis has been a game changer for our family. We check the size and consistency of their poop, wet their greens (offered in the morning and evening), have fans for them for hot days, brush them on a regular basis (even more when molting) and check the color of their urine to give us an idea of her overall digestive health on a daily basis. This may not work for everybun, but it is a good place to start.

Rabbits are creatures of routine, so any change in behavior could be a sign that something may be amiss. If you suspect stasis - offer your bunny a favorite treat (like cilantro) and check their body language. A bunny in stasis will likely reject the treat and be lying down in a crouched position. This position will look similar to a loaf, but they will not looked relaxed or comfortable. A rabbit in stasis may also appear lethargic or be grinding their teeth or stretch their tummy a lot. Remember, a bunny in stasis will not be able to poop.

Call your emergency vet immediately. I know that sometimes a rabbit savvy vet is not available or close which is something I learned during COVID and when I was a travel therapist in rural areas... so please make sure to have the following in a home emergency kit: subcutaenous fluids & supplies (can be purchased from your vet), critical care (apple banana), sherwood appetite stimulant, lube, thermometer for a rectal temp, syringes of many sizes, infant gas drops, pain medication (can be purchased from your vet), heating pad with low settings. You can also ask your vet for training on how to use these things on their routine check up. For temperature, there is now something that can be injected under the skin and scanned at home using a reader from Amazon. We have not tried this, but Dr Sip's office told us about this in April 2025.

To treat GI stasis -- here is what I do. (This is not medical advice, so please do not use this as substitute for professional medical care for your bun.)

• I call the emergency vet - we use PETS in Berkeley.

• I check my rabbits tummy for hardness as a way to check for a blockage. The only way to rule out a blockage is an X ray. A blockage can be caused my ingesting hair, cardboard, etc and will need veterinary treatment.

• I give my rabbit infant gas drops. Our vet has told us 1.0cc of infant gas drops like simethicone liquid 2-3 times daily. (There is some debate about the efficacy of this, but many rabbit owners feel like it helps.)

• I offer Critical Care and the Sherwood appetite stimulant on a plate and have some greens and pellets near my bunny as well.

• I encourage movement to help get rid of the gas.

• Some people recommend tummy massage-- I do not do this because I am afraid of liver lobe torsion.

• I take a rectal temperature as temperature will drop in stasis. Some people will have a heating pad to help with temperature, but make sure there are layers to prevent burns.

• At the vet, I ask for subcutaneous fluids as quickly as possible-- before the x ray if they will allow it. I also have some in my emergency kit at home and have been trained in administering this.

• I take my emergency kit with me because most emergency vets are backed up and we sit for a long, long time.

• If the x ray rules out a blockage, I give my rabbit critical care immediately. There are videos on how to do this safely to prevent aspiration (fluid getting into their lungs on accident).

I really hope this helps someone out there. If you have anything to share that has worked for you, please comment. Community and awareness is so important.

Again - this is not medical advice. This is info I have gathered through the years that keeps evolving as I learn more and more. Please do not use this as a substitute for seeing a vet. I share these tips in hopes that being informed will make going through GI stasis will be easier for you and your. Good luck-- I hope you never ever have to experience this.