Bloat/Intestinal Blockage – please help/any advice appreciated!

[LokiLover]

Hello,
Just posting here to get some advice from other rabbit owners!

My 1.5-year-old Mini Rex, Loki, appeared to have signs of GI stasis yesterday morning. Noticed it when I first woke up – he refused greens and stomach seemed bloated, not passing any fecal matter and did not eat his cecetropes. (He did have his usual dinner the previous night and was fine yesterday, so most likely ate something bad overnight – although I did not find anything he could have gotten into, so it may have been an accumulated thing). I gave him a couple of doses of simethicone (the recommended dose for rabbits using a baby formula) and tried some abdominal massage, but these did not seem to help him much. I was calling all the rabbit vets in my area throughout the morning, because my usual vet was tied up with surgeries that day (unfortunately), but since all were booked, I had to end up bringing him to an emergency vet early that afternoon.

From the x-Rays taken there, we were able to see that the cause was an intestinal blockage of some kind (I think it was caused by hair and eating lint/possibly other things off the ground) and his stomach was very distended. They gave him IV fluids and a prescription for Cisapride, Metoclopramide, and Meloxicam. Prognosis was guarded.

I stuck with the dosage schedule for those, and once Loki was home, he drank quite a bit of water and laid out on a heating pad for a while. Overnight he did urinate and passed maybe 7-8 small, dry pellets. However, his condition did not seem to approve much by the morning. I took him to the vet again, and the x-Ray showed no signs of improvement (if anything, his stomach was even more distended). The prognosis was poor. The vet gave him more fluids, a shot of Buprenorphine to help with the pain, and a shot of Metoclopramide. She recommended against feeding him Critical Care because of the stomach distension/risk of rupture. We also got some take home fluids to administer via a stent every 12h. Since this vet was not a rabbit specialist, she didn’t really offer any advice other than medication. Sadly, my vet was out of town today and the major pet hospital near me (was initially willing to admit Loki if need be) said they were too overcrowded to take him. I have an appointment booked with his regular vet tomorrow morning, but I’m really scared he will not make it through the night. I am so scared of intestinal rupture so not sure how much massage to do; I’ve experienced a bond with this rabbit like none other before and I am praying that he will make it. He is still on Cisapride and Metoclopramide (oral) every 8h, and Meloxicam every 24h.

I don’t know what else to try – so please, if anyone has any advice or maybe special tips regarding abdominal massage, I would appreciate it more than anything. I’ve read online about other techniques for clearing intestinal blockages in rabbits (like gastric decompression) – however, the vets I’ve talked to in my area are not willing to do that sort of thing.
Also, I did pick up some pure mineral oil for internal usage (also have castor oil too), so if anyone has any advice regarding the dosage and safety of that in rabbits, please let me know!!

 

[BrownieDaisyandJasmine<3]

Going through the exact same thing currently. Except we have not a single vet. My boy also passed some dry, hard pellets, and drank some water some time ago.

Really dont know what to do.

 

[JBun]

Due to the risks with the bloat, I don't know that massage would be good to continue with. It just seems like it could potentially cause problems due to the pressure build up and the severity of the bloat at this stage. And the mineral oil is unlikely to do anything if there isn't any gastric motility happening. Plus it's one more thing going in orally adding to the dangerous intestinal pressure.

I think sub q/IV fluids and minimizing anything going in orally (due to the risks of increasing the pressure), is about all that can be done until you can get to your vet tomorrow. Also keeping your bun warm as they easily can become hypothermic.

I would even be reluctant to be giving so many oral meds due to the same reason, including the meloxicam. It's adding pressure, plus it's not good to be giving meloxicam without being able to give food at the same time. I wish they would have sent buprenorphine home for your bun instead. Meloxicam just isn't adequate to help with the severe pain from bloat, and buprenorphine is safer to give on an empty stomach.

For tomorrow, abdominal surgery may be something your vet brings up. It's very risky, but may be the only option at this point. A non surgical option might be lactulose, but only if there is some gastric motility happening.

I'm so sorry this has happened to your poor little bun and I really hope tomorrow, your vet can do something to help your bun.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Acute_gastrointestinal_dilation

 

[LokiLover]

Going through the exact same thing currently. Except we have not a single vet. My boy also passed some dry, hard pellets, and drank some water some time ago.

Really dont know what to do.

I'm so sorry to hear that! I'm really hoping your bun is able to pull through as well. How long has this been going on for you?

Due to the risks with the bloat, I don't know that massage would be good to continue with. It just seems like it could potentially cause problems due to the pressure build up and the severity of the bloat at this stage. And the mineral oil is unlikely to do anything if there isn't any gastric motility happening. Plus it's one more thing going in orally adding to the dangerous intestinal pressure.

I think sub q/IV fluids and minimizing anything going in orally (due to the risks of increasing the pressure), is about all that can be done until you can get to your vet tomorrow. Also keeping your bun warm as they easily can become hypothermic.

I would even be reluctant to be giving so many oral meds due to the same reason, including the meloxicam. It's adding pressure, plus it's not good to be giving meloxicam without being able to give food at the same time. I wish they would have sent buprenorphine home for your bun instead. Meloxicam just isn't adequate to help with the severe pain from bloat, and buprenorphine is safer to give on an empty stomach.

For tomorrow, abdominal surgery may be something your vet brings up. It's very risky, but may be the only option at this point. A non surgical option might be lactulose, but only if there is some gastric motility happening.

I'm so sorry this has happened to your poor little bun and I really hope tomorrow, your vet can do something to help your bun.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Acute_gastrointestinal_dilation

Thank you so much for your detailed reply; I really appreciate it. You gave me more important/relevant information than the vet I saw earlier.
That is a really good point regarding the massage and avoiding ingesting further oral substances as much as possible. I really regret giving him any of the gastric motility meds (yesterday and once this morning) since I've also heard that they can be contraindicated for gastric obstruction. I did give him some more of the Meloxicam this evening since he was grinding his teeth so much (again, wish that the vet I saw earlier knew more about that/what you wrote).
I have a heating pad going for him and several blankets. I did get some LRS fluids to administer at home and was told to do so every 12h (they gave him some at 2pm at the vet) -- if you see this in time, do you think I should try to give him some tonight or wait until the morning? Regrettably I did give him a little bit of water from a syringe (he just lapped it up) so I'm hoping that won't increase the stomach distention even more. I was just thinking he would urinate again/was worried about him being dehydrated and unable to poo.
Thank you again so much for your reply and your well wishes, I'm praying he will make it to the vet appointment tomorrow!

 

[JBun]

Your bun has an IV access for the fluids, or is it sub q? Since the fluids aren't being given orally, I would administer them when the vet said to. The IV/sub q fluids will help keep your bun hydrated until you get to your vet in the morning.

 

[Popsicles]

I'm so sorry to hear that! I'm really hoping your bun is able to pull through as well. How long has this been going on for you?

Thank you so much for your detailed reply; I really appreciate it. You gave me more important/relevant information than the vet I saw earlier.
That is a really good point regarding the massage and avoiding ingesting further oral substances as much as possible. I really regret giving him any of the gastric motility meds (yesterday and once this morning) since I've also heard that they can be contraindicated for gastric obstruction. I did give him some more of the Meloxicam this evening since he was grinding his teeth so much (again, wish that the vet I saw earlier knew more about that/what you wrote).
I have a heating pad going for him and several blankets. I did get some LRS fluids to administer at home and was told to do so every 12h (they gave him some at 2pm at the vet) -- if you see this in time, do you think I should try to give him some tonight or wait until the morning? Regrettably I did give him a little bit of water from a syringe (he just lapped it up) so I'm hoping that won't increase the stomach distention even more. I was just thinking he would urinate again/was worried about him being dehydrated and unable to poo.
Thank you again so much for your reply and your well wishes, I'm praying he will make it to the vet appointment tomorrow!

If the fluids are IV, how much are you giving each time? I’d be giving bolus fluids more often that every 12 hours. If he tolerates oral water then I would say keep that up (In moderation) as the gut will need to be well hydrated for anything to move along. Like JBun said if blockage isn’t resolving then the only option will be abdominal surgery. Keep us updated

 

[susiechoud]

Hello,
Just posting here to get some advice from other rabbit owners!

My 1.5-year-old Mini Rex, Loki, appeared to have signs of GI stasis yesterday morning. Noticed it when I first woke up – he refused greens and stomach seemed bloated, not passing any fecal matter and did not eat his cecetropes. (He did have his usual dinner the previous night and was fine yesterday, so most likely ate something bad overnight – although I did not find anything he could have gotten into, so it may have been an accumulated thing). I gave him a couple of doses of simethicone (the recommended dose for rabbits using a baby formula) and tried some abdominal massage, but these did not seem to help him much. I was calling all the rabbit vets in my area throughout the morning, because my usual vet was tied up with surgeries that day (unfortunately), but since all were booked, I had to end up bringing him to an emergency vet early that afternoon.

From the x-Rays taken there, we were able to see that the cause was an intestinal blockage of some kind (I think it was caused by hair and eating lint/possibly other things off the ground) and his stomach was very distended. They gave him IV fluids and a prescription for Cisapride, Metoclopramide, and Meloxicam. Prognosis was guarded.

I stuck with the dosage schedule for those, and once Loki was home, he drank quite a bit of water and laid out on a heating pad for a while. Overnight he did urinate and passed maybe 7-8 small, dry pellets. However, his condition did not seem to approve much by the morning. I took him to the vet again, and the x-Ray showed no signs of improvement (if anything, his stomach was even more distended). The prognosis was poor. The vet gave him more fluids, a shot of Buprenorphine to help with the pain, and a shot of Metoclopramide. She recommended against feeding him Critical Care because of the stomach distension/risk of rupture. We also got some take home fluids to administer via a stent every 12h. Since this vet was not a rabbit specialist, she didn’t really offer any advice other than medication. Sadly, my vet was out of town today and the major pet hospital near me (was initially willing to admit Loki if need be) said they were too overcrowded to take him. I have an appointment booked with his regular vet tomorrow morning, but I’m really scared he will not make it through the night. I am so scared of intestinal rupture so not sure how much massage to do; I’ve experienced a bond with this rabbit like none other before and I am praying that he will make it. He is still on Cisapride and Metoclopramide (oral) every 8h, and Meloxicam every 24h.

I don’t know what else to try – so please, if anyone has any advice or maybe special tips regarding abdominal massage, I would appreciate it more than anything. I’ve read online about other techniques for clearing intestinal blockages in rabbits (like gastric decompression) – however, the vets I’ve talked to in my area are not willing to do that sort of thing.
Also, I did pick up some pure mineral oil for internal usage (also have castor oil too), so if anyone has any advice regarding the dosage and safety of that in rabbits, please let me know!!

Where do you live? What is the update on Loki this morning?

 

[LokiLover]

Going through the exact same thing currently. Except we have not a single vet. My boy also passed some dry, hard pellets, and drank some water some time ago.

Really dont know what to do.

Just re-quoting you to let you know about a potential at-home remedy that might work for you and your bun, found it out from my vet today. It's to help dissolve/pass intestinal blockages. My vet advised giving 1 crushed papaya tablet with 3mL's of unsweetened pineapple juice every 8 hrs (since both fruits contain digestive enzymes that can help break down whatever the blockage is). In my case he recomended mixing that with some diluted Critical Care (1/6 of the recomended dose on back, using twice the amount of water) since Loki hasn't eaten anything other than medicine and a few fresh herbs for 2 days.

Your bun has an IV access for the fluids, or is it sub q? Since the fluids aren't being given orally, I would administer them when the vet said to. The IV/sub q fluids will help keep your bun hydrated until you get to your vet in the morning.

If the fluids are IV, how much are you giving each time? I’d be giving bolus fluids more often that every 12 hours. If he tolerates oral water then I would say keep that up (In moderation) as the gut will need to be well hydrated for anything to move along. Like JBun said if blockage isn’t resolving then the only option will be abdominal surgery. Keep us updated

It's sub-q fluids, sorry for not mentioning earlier! The original amount was 90mL every 12h, but after seeing my regular vet this morning, he reduced it to 75mL every 24h since Loki is accepting water through a syringe orally (being moderate/careful with this).

Where do you live? What is the update on Loki this morning?

I'm in Northern California. Thank you for asking, it was a better prognosis this morning, it was such a relief to see my regular rabbit vet! Like I mentioned above, he recommended doing the papaya/pineapple and Critical Care thing, and continuing with Meloxicam and Metaclopromide but no Cisapride. Did another x-Ray and Loki's stomach distension/bloat did go down since yesterday but still not clear yet. He gave about a 50/50 chance. Said he would not recommend doing surgery due to the risk and not having the proper intubation setup, just continue with this treatment, but I did make up a follow-up appointment Monday in case surgery needs to be done then. Making a list of potential exotic care vets in the Bay Area (since in my area there would only be an emergency vet who might or might not have an exotic vet on staff) just in case things get worse over the weekend

 

[BrownieDaisyandJasmine<3]

Just re-quoting you to let you know about a potential at-home remedy that might work for you and your bun, found it out from my vet today. It's to help dissolve/pass intestinal blockages. My vet advised giving 1 crushed papaya tablet with 3mL's of unsweetened pineapple juice every 8 hrs (since both fruits contain digestive enzymes that can help break down whatever the blockage is). In my case he recomended mixing that with some diluted Critical Care (1/6 of the recomended dose on back, using twice the amount of water) since Loki hasn't eaten anything other than medicine and a few fresh herbs for 2 days.




It's sub-q fluids, sorry for not mentioning earlier! The original amount was 90mL every 12h, but after seeing my regular vet this morning, he reduced it to 75mL every 24h since Loki is accepting water through a syringe orally (being moderate/careful with this).


I'm in Northern California. Thank you for asking, it was a better prognosis this morning, it was such a relief to see my regular rabbit vet! Like I mentioned above, he recommended doing the papaya/pineapple and Critical Care thing, and continuing with Meloxicam and Metaclopromide but no Cisapride. Did another x-Ray and Loki's stomach distension/bloat did go down since yesterday but still not clear yet. He gave about a 50/50 chance. Said he would not recommend doing surgery due to the risk and not having the proper intubation setup, just continue with this treatment, but I did make up a follow-up appointment Monday in case surgery needs to be done then. Making a list of potential exotic care vets in the Bay Area (since in my area there would only be an emergency vet who might or might not have an exotic vet on staff) just in case things get worse over the weekend

Thank you, I will start that. I dont even know if he has a blockage, or what, but his stomach pouch feels really hard. He's still passing very few, small.and dry poos. I tried to get an exotic vet to consult with the one here, but he's just not willing to do so. He even refused to give fluids because the exotic had suggested it saying we dont do follow up treatment of other vets.

Im glad you have some reliable people to help you with Loki. Im keeping you and your boy in my thoughts. I wish both our boys get better soon.

Any update on how he's doing?

 

[LokiLover]

Thank you, I will start that. I dont even know if he has a blockage, or what, but his stomach pouch feels really hard. He's still passing very few, small.and dry poos. I tried to get an exotic vet to consult with the one here, but he's just not willing to do so. He even refused to give fluids because the exotic had suggested it saying we dont do follow up treatment of other vets.

Im glad you have some reliable people to help you with Loki. Im keeping you and your boy in my thoughts. I wish both our boys get better soon.

Any update on how he's doing?

I'm so sorry to hear about your vet situation, that sounds so awful and frustrating! Especially not even giving him fluids. Are you maybe able to get sub-q fluids to take home? Is your bun drinking any water at all on his own or maybe accepting some from a syringe?

Loki seems to be doing a little better today, passed more pellets overnight. However he is still gnashing his teeth a lot in pain, despite the Meloxicam. He does express interest in some fresh mint and basil I had, which is a good sign (just being limited with it because of his bloat). I am feeling more optimistic about his outcome though, because he seems alert and isn't laying on his side extensively (which could be a bad sign). Keeping your boy in my thoughts as well, hoping he's on the upward recovery as well!

 

[BrownieDaisyandJasmine<3]

I'm so sorry to hear about your vet situation, that sounds so awful and frustrating! Especially not even giving him fluids. Are you maybe able to get sub-q fluids to take home? Is your bun drinking any water at all on his own or maybe accepting some from a syringe?

Loki seems to be doing a little better today, passed more pellets overnight. However he is still gnashing his teeth a lot in pain, despite the Meloxicam. He does express interest in some fresh mint and basil I had, which is a good sign (just being limited with it because of his bloat). I am feeling more optimistic about his outcome though, because he seems alert and isn't laying on his side extensively (which could be a bad sign). Keeping your boy in my thoughts as well, hoping he's on the upward recovery as well!

I can get the fluids from a local med shop along with the equipment, but I dont know how to give them. Im scared of hurting him because I have never given fluids to a bunny before.

As for water, Ive been giving him water orally, as suggested by the exotic vet on the phone. He's had about 12 ml since the past few hours, and then another 10 ml before that. As for him, he's still quite active, will fight me during syringe time, and in the evening he almost did a binky. He's not grinding his teeth in pain, and also ate some hay, cilantro and basil willingly since yesterday afternoon, 3PM, its now 4:30 AM here. And yes, some timy poos too. All I fear is thag his stomach still feels hard and doughy.

Its great that your boy's showing interest in food. Maybe when the bloating goes down a bit, he'll start eating some more. And being perky and alert is also quite good. Maybe you can encourage him to move around a little? It seems to help ease the bloating.

I just wish they both get back to being themselves soon. I miss my boy's morning wake-up zoomies

 

[LokiLover]

I can get the fluids from a local med shop along with the equipment, but I dont know how to give them. Im scared of hurting him because I have never given fluids to a bunny before.

As for water, Ive been giving him water orally, as suggested by the exotic vet on the phone. He's had about 12 ml since the past few hours, and then another 10 ml before that. As for him, he's still quite active, will fight me during syringe time, and in the evening he almost did a binky. He's not grinding his teeth in pain, and also ate some hay, cilantro and basil willingly since yesterday afternoon, 3PM, its now 4:30 AM here. And yes, some timy poos too. All I fear is thag his stomach still feels hard and doughy.

Its great that your boy's showing interest in food. Maybe when the bloating goes down a bit, he'll start eating some more. And being perky and alert is also quite good. Maybe you can encourage him to move around a little? It seems to help ease the bloating.

I just wish they both get back to being themselves soon. I miss my boy's morning wake-up zoomies

Apologies for the late reply! I'm glad your bun is accepting water through a syringe and is active/has the energy to fight. Loki has started drinking water this way too and it has become more of a struggle to feed him as he gains strength. Also ate some cilantro and mint. Seems like bloating has gone down some more, and he has passed more pellets/is spending more time in the litter so I'm cautiously optimistic for now.
If he's not getting enough water orally the fluids might be worth trying, although I definitely understand your reluctance. I was luckily able to get a demonstration of it from the vet tech. Could maybe follow a video like this ().

I hope your boy is doing better today, sending him good vibes and healing energy! Praying they will both be back to doing morning zoomies and binkies soon.

 

[BrownieDaisyandJasmine<3]

Apologies for the late reply! I'm glad your bun is accepting water through a syringe and is active/has the energy to fight. Loki has started drinking water this way too and it has become more of a struggle to feed him as he gains strength. Also ate some cilantro and mint. Seems like bloating has gone down some more, and he has passed more pellets/is spending more time in the litter so I'm cautiously optimistic for now.
If he's not getting enough water orally the fluids might be worth trying, although I definitely understand your reluctance. I was luckily able to get a demonstration of it from the vet tech. Could maybe follow a video like this ().

I hope your boy is doing better today, sending him good vibes and healing energy! Praying they will both be back to doing morning zoomies and binkies soon.

That's awesome news! If the bloating has reduced, there's a high chance the blockage is moving/on its way out and isnt stuck anymore. And his appetite seeming to return is a great sign that things are getting better inside that little belly!

My boy behaved similarly day before yesterday and now, he's almost back to himself. He's eating and pooping quite normally. He's lost around 50grams of weight tho, and he's a very smol boy, only weighs 1.3 kilograms.

Im keeping my fingers crossed for both of us; everything will continue to get better

Here's my little man, Jasmine. We're sending loads of healing vibes to Loki; may he resume his mischievous duties very soon!

 

[LokiLover]

That's awesome news! If the bloating has reduced, there's a high chance the blockage is moving/on its way out and isnt stuck anymore. And his appetite seeming to return is a great sign that things are getting better inside that little belly!

My boy behaved similarly day before yesterday and now, he's almost back to himself. He's eating and pooping quite normally. He's lost around 50grams of weight tho, and he's a very smol boy, only weighs 1.3 kilograms.

Im keeping my fingers crossed for both of us; everything will continue to get better

Here's my little man, Jasmine. We're sending loads of healing vibes to Loki; may he resume his mischievous duties very soon!

Aww, thank you so much!! Jasmine is so precious, I love Dutchies. Great to hear he's almost back to himself and on the upwards arc of recovery. Loki did lose a little weight but he's nearly 3 kg so not *quite* as worrisome. Is Jasmine back to doing binkies and all that yet? (hope so!) Attached a particularly photogenic pic of Loki

Unfortunately Loki did stop pooing/was doing worse today but was able to get him in to the other rabbit vet in my area, who really knows her stuff. She did an enema on him and he is currently there overnight, will be observed most of the time and given fluids/syringe feeding (will be a window of time from 1am-9am that no one is there so hoping he'll do alright). When I talked to this vet earlier she said she was optimistic considering Loki was alert/had a generally good attitude in spite of it all and physical condition was alright. Will post an update tomorrow.

 

[BrownieDaisyandJasmine<3]

Aww what a beautiful boy
Im sorry to hear he isnt doing well today. But Im sure he is going to be perfectly fine, given his alert demeanour, a great vet and a caring owner. From what Ive gathered with my experience with Jaz, if he's not starting to get lethargic, then he's got a lot of fight left, and will be okay soon.

We're thinking about you and your little guy, and eagerly waiting to hear a happy update.

As for Jasmine, Im concerned that he's peeing a lot more that usual. But Im hoping its just because of all the extra water Ive been giving him. Its real scary not having a backup if something goes wrong