GI Stasis Round 2

BrittsBunny · Oct 7, 2012

Several months ago Wrangler experienced his first tummy ache...he was very lethargic, spread out on the floor, didn't want to eat or drink, etc. I panicked because I had been through this experience - I quickly learned that GI Stasis is actually quite common and can happen often.

Well this morning I woke up to find my bunny sickly again. I immediately tried to coax him with a treat and he had absolutely no interest in it - and this guy will do all kinds of tricks for treats! SO sure enough, I knew he probably had another belly ache.

He has been molting a couple of weeks now and I'm pretty sure he just ingested too much hair. I have brushed him a couple of times but probably not as often as I should have been. Either way I can't blame myself necessarily because these things happen.

I cleaned his entire living space, gave him gas meds (pedia care drops), and syringed him a mixture of pineapple juice and water. A couple of hours later he already seemed to be feeling better.

I wasn't as concerned about this gas episode, but a mama always hates to see her babies in pain. Thankfully he seems to be eating, drinking, and pooping...however he has been spending a lot of time in his little wooden house today. I am not sure if he is completely out of the woods yet.

jamesedwardwaller · Oct 7, 2012

BrittsBunny wrote:

Several months ago Wrangler experienced his first tummy ache...he was very lethargic, spread out on the floor, didn't want to eat or drink, etc. I panicked because I had been through this experience - I quickly learned that GI Stasis is actually quite common and can happen often.

Well this morning I woke up to find my bunny sickly again. I immediately tried to coax him with a treat and he had absolutely no interest in it - and this guy will do all kinds of tricks for treats! SO sure enough, I knew he probably had another belly ache.

He has been molting a couple of weeks now and I'm pretty sure he just ingested too much hair. I have brushed him a couple of times but probably not as often as I should have been. Either way I can't blame myself necessarily because these things happen.

I cleaned his entire living space, gave him gas meds (pedia care drops), and syringed him a mixture of pineapple juice and water. A couple of hours later he already seemed to be feeling better.

I wasn't as concerned about this gas episode, but a mama always hates to see her babies in pain. Thankfully he seems to be eating, drinking, and pooping...however he has been spending a lot of time in his little wooden house today. I am not sure if he is completely out of the woods yet.

---try lots of water-bottle and crock,-grasses,-and some infant simethicone,-also pineapple juices,--the idea is to rehydrate and breakup any accumulation in the tummy--i hope this helps,--herbivores require a strict diet for digestion flora.--sincerely james waller

Bunnylova4eva · Oct 7, 2012

I give lots of veggies to coax mine when this happens along with Oxbow Papaya Tablets, Simithicone (infant gas drops), sometimes I flavor the water with pinapple juice (though some think that's not good when the GI is already having problem), and lots of love. Hope Wrangler is doing better soon-sounds like you've helped him tons already!

Geoff · Oct 8, 2012

Just a note: 1) Simethicone will not get rid of gas as many think it does... it allows large gas bubbles to break up into lots of smaller gas bubbles, but there is still the same amount of gas... however, lots of small gas bubbles fit more easily in an intestinal tract than one large one does, so the gut feels better. But it still needs to get out of there, so simethcone does little to help end the problem of stasis. I am not saying not to use it, though... anything that makes the guts feel better is a good thing... just understand its limitations. The guts have to move again.

2) papaya tablets have little to no positive effect on gut motility or hair accumulation... I am not even sure why they are offered as they are a source of unwanted sugar. Any 'success' with them is likely coincidental. I personally do NOT recommend giving these for any reason.

3) free choice veggies are a good idea as long as they are LEAFY greens... do not think peas, carrots, potatoes or squash is going to help a rabbit with its stasis. What this rabbit needs is fiber and fluid being entered into its GI tract, and likely pain meds given as well, and often then the GI tract will start moving again.

4) all rabbits with a previous episode of stasis should be switched to an all grass hay and leafy green diet, or the problem is likely to recur. Not all rabbits survive stasis bouts, so better to prevent than retreat.

Pipp · Oct 8, 2012

Geoff wrote:

Just a note: 1) Simethicone will not get rid of gas as many think it does... it allows large gas bubbles to break up into lots of smaller gas bubbles, but there is still the same amount of gas... however, lots of small gas bubbles fit more easily in an intestinal tract than one large one does, so the gut feels better. But it still needs to get out of there, so simethcone does little to help end the problem of stasis. I am not saying not to use it, though... anything that makes the guts feel better is a good thing... just understand its limitations. The guts have to move again.

2) papaya tablets have little to no positive effect on gut motility or hair accumulation... I am not even sure why they are offered as they are a source of unwanted sugar. Any 'success' with them is likely coincidental. I personally do NOT recommend giving these for any reason.

3) free choice veggies are a good idea as long as they are LEAFY greens... do not think peas, carrots, potatoes or squash is going to help a rabbit with its stasis. What this rabbit needs is fiber and fluid being entered into its GI tract, and likely pain meds given as well, and often then the GI tract will start moving again.

4) all rabbits with a previous episode of stasis should be switched to an all grass hay and leafy green diet, or the problem is likely to recur. Not all rabbits survive stasis bouts, so better to prevent than retreat.

:yeahthat: :thumbup :nod :agree :flowerskiss::bouquet: :big kiss:

Bunnylova4eva · Oct 10, 2012

Geoff wrote:

Just a note: 1) Simethicone will not get rid of gas as many think it does... it allows large gas bubbles to break up into lots of smaller gas bubbles, but there is still the same amount of gas... however, lots of small gas bubbles fit more easily in an intestinal tract than one large one does, so the gut feels better. But it still needs to get out of there, so simethcone does little to help end the problem of stasis. I am not saying not to use it, though... anything that makes the guts feel better is a good thing... just understand its limitations. The guts have to move again.

2) papaya tablets have little to no positive effect on gut motility or hair accumulation... I am not even sure why they are offered as they are a source of unwanted sugar. Any 'success' with them is likely coincidental. I personally do NOT recommend giving these for any reason.

3) free choice veggies are a good idea as long as they are LEAFY greens... do not think peas, carrots, potatoes or squash is going to help a rabbit with its stasis. What this rabbit needs is fiber and fluid being entered into its GI tract, and likely pain meds given as well, and often then the GI tract will start moving again.

4) all rabbits with a previous episode of stasis should be switched to an all grass hay and leafy green diet, or the problem is likely to recur. Not all rabbits survive stasis bouts, so better to prevent than retreat.

As to simethicone, that's intestering-I agree. I've wondered before about the effectiveness of simithicone, but it seemed to make Ripley feel a bit better so I kept giving it when he seemed to have GI slowdown issues. Now it makes sense!

Also about the papaya tablets-It has seemd to help Ripley when he's molting and the poop is strung together by hair. I stopped seeing the string of pearls when I started the papaya tablets. I feel like I've heard others say the benefit (if any) is limited, I guess he won't be getting those too much any more. That bunny is gonna hate me..