Gastrointestinal stasis, commonly referred to as GI stasis, represents a critical and potentially life-threatening condition in rabbits. This condition manifests when the digestive system experiences a significant slowdown or ceases operations entirely, resulting in serious health complications.

The science behind it

Symptoms of GI stasis

• Minimal to no faecal output
• Reduced appetite or absence of appetite
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Teeth grinding
• Abdominal discomfort
• Hypothermia (indicated by cool ears and limbs)
• A pronounced hunched posture

Causes of GI stasis

Poor Diet

Your rabbit having a poor diet is one of the most prominent causes of GI stasis. This is because a rabbits diet should be approximately 25% fibre (the majority of this should come from unlimited high-in fibre hay) so when your rabbit is underfed fibre and overfed carbohydrates, it can cause the bacteria in the GI tract to shift causing a decrease in intestinal muscle contractions leading to a slowed digestion of food.

When a rabbit is overfed pellets, GI stasis is common as pellets do not contain enough fibre but have an excess of carbohydrates.

Dental Disease

One of the other main causes of GI stasis is dental disease; this is due to the fact that if your rabbit’s teeth are improperly aligned, it can make it difficult for your rabbit to swallow a suitable amount of food, causing poor digestion. When a rabbit’s teeth do not align correctly, it can lead to malocclusion, where the teeth continue to grow abnormally, resulting in painful spurs that can cut into the soft tissues of the mouth. This discomfort can discourage your rabbit from eating their normal diet of hay and vegetables, further contributing to gastrointestinal stasis.

Rabbits require a high-fiber diet to aid in proper digestion and maintain gut motility; hence, if they are unable to chew properly, they may not only experience difficulties with digestion but can also become increasingly prone to a range of health issues, including obesity, which can complicate their overall well-being. Regular dental examinations are crucial to catch any issues early and ensure that your rabbit remains healthy and able to enjoy their meals.

Stress or Pain

Stress or pain can be a major influence into the causes of GI stasis, as when unwell or stressed, your rabbit may have a significantly lower intake of food and water, which can consequently lead to a slowing or even a complete stoppage of the GI tract. This decreased consumption is further compounded by the fact that rabbits have a delicate digestive system that relies heavily on a continuous intake of fibrous hay and fresh greens to keep things moving smoothly.

In addition to the reduced food intake, dehydration can also cause an electrolyte imbalance, which can severely disrupt normal digestive functions, causing your bunny to go into stasis.

Urinary Tract Problems

If your rabbit was to contract kidney or bladder stones, they could be put in a situation of a lot of pain, which can significantly impact their overall well-being and behaviour. This intense discomfort may lead them to avoid eating, as the pain can make it difficult for them to enjoy their usual food. Consequently, the lack of food intake can trigger gastrointestinal (GI) stasis, where the digestive system slows down or stops completely.

Other less common causes;

• Certain medications
• Hairballs or foreign objects
• Antibiotics
• Surgical intervention
• Reproductive disorders, including urinary cancer
• Infections
• Allergic reactions
• Age-related conditions

How to prevent GI stasis

Providing a high in fibre diet

This is key as a poor diet is one of the leading causes of GI stasis in rabbits. The way to ensure this is to make sure that your rabbit has a constant supply of high-fibre and good-quality hay. Sometimes, the cheaper hays are really not as good for your rabbit as they promote, this is because of the fibre content, a lot of the compact hays do not contain a high enough fibre content. Hay should be the main element of a rabbits diet, supplemented by daily fresh green, leafy vegetables and limited pellets and treats. Check my diet page to see more.

Encouraging exercise

This is key as health problems can easily arise from a lack of exercise which can contribute to an unhealthy digestive system. The way to promote exercise is to make sure that your rabbit always has access to space to run and exercise. This will help maintain a healthy digestive system. Read my page on free roaming to see space requirements for rabbits.

Creating a calm and unstressful environment

You should ensure your rabbit is kept away from loud and busy environments as much as possible, as these can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. Instead, aim to create a serene atmosphere, allowing your rabbit to thrive in a stable home base that includes hidey houses and soft areas. This setup not only provides a safe haven for them but also fosters their natural instincts to explore and retreat when needed. Always consider their need for security; having designated spots where they can relax and feel secure is crucial for their health. In addition, it is best to avoid introducing them to different animals that they are not familiar with, since such encounters can be quite overwhelming for your bunny. Interaction with unfamiliar pets can lead to increased stress levels and anxiety in rabbits. Of course, bonding them with another bunny is a different topic entirely and can provide immense social benefits.

Regular health check-ups

These are very important as without them, your bunny could be seriously unwell and you wouldn’t know. When doing these checks one of the most important checks to do is your bunnies dental health. Dental health can be a huge factor leading up to GI stasis as, if your bunnies teeth are overgrown it may cause them pain when swallowing therefore not motivating them to eat their recommended fibre, ultimately causing your bunny to go into stasis. It is also very important to take them to regular veterinary check-ups to make sure that your bunny is not in pain. Always look out for signs that your bunny might be in pain, for example limping or twitching as being in pain can also be a root cause of stasis.

How to manage GI stasis

If you notice any of the symptoms as listed above, the most common being a lack of appetite and little to no faecal output and you suspect that your rabbit has gone into stasis, you should immediately take them for a veterinary examination. Early prevention is key when it comes to GI stasis and noticing and acting quickly could save your bunnies life.

How to manage GI stasis before it sets in

If you notice that your bunny has stopped eating or is eating less, the immediate thing you should do is syringe feed your bunny critical care. Critical care is a food supplement for your rabbit, it will help to get your bunnies gut moving and it can be syringe fed when your rabbit is refusing to eat. You can also feed your bunnies infant gas drops (1-2ml every hour for 3 hours) to help releave any built up gas in their intestinal tract. You should always have these to hand when looking after a bunny as you never know when stasis could strike. It is important to note that inmost cases of GI stasis, your rabbit will need immediate veterinary attention, these are only things to do whilst waiting for the vet.

Veterinarian care

When taken to the vet, your rabbit may be prescribed gut-mobility medication, which helps stimulate digestion and alleviate discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as pain relief to ensure they are comfortable during their recovery process. Additionally, fluids may be administered to prevent dehydration, which is crucial as rabbits can quickly become dehydrated if they are not eating or drinking properly. In some instances, there are severe cases where a more intensive treatment may be needed, such as hospitalization for closer monitoring, specialized diets to encourage eating, and further diagnostic tests to determine the underlying causes of their condition. It is important for pet owners to stay informed and proactive about their rabbit’s health and to consult their veterinarian if they notice any signs of distress or abnormal behavior.