GI Stasis

[Novabunbun15]

HELP!!

My bunny was diagnosed with Gi Stasis today from the vet after not eating or drinking and barely moving for about 12 hours. They gave us pain meds and CC to syringe feed her but she won’t take the syringe!! Her tummy is very bloated already so it’s hard to mover her plus she already HATED getting picked up!! She also can care less about height so if i put her higher up she would jump off no doubt. I’m getting scared since i’ve been trying for over 2 hours to feed her and i only got in 1ml!!! Please help me find a way to feed her

 

[Gelly]

I like to do the ‘bunny burrito’ method with my rabbit. He hates taking meds and this always works. It’s essentially wrapping the bunny up tightly and pressing him/her against you so they can’t move. I like to squish a little banana or strawberry (not like a treat bc your bunny doesn’t need treats right now) just to get some flavor on the syringe. Then I use my fingers to lift his cheeks and stick it into the side of his mouth. Here’s a link to a video I found of the method. My vet techs taught me this and it always works.

You don’t want to stress the bun out but she also desperately needs fluids and nutrients right now.

 

[Blue eyes]

If you get her in the burrito (or even if not) be sure to put the syringe in the cheek area (not directly in her mouth). This video shows this

 

[Gelly]

If you get her in the burrito (or even if not) be sure to put the syringe in the cheek area (not directly in her mouth). This video shows this

That’s a great video because the bunny is really squirmy. Many of these videos demonstrate using a docile and calm rabbit so this is very useful.

 

[JBun]

If she is bloated you should not be syringe feeding anything and you should contact your vet immediately! Bloat can be immediately life threatening as it can put pressure on the heart and lungs and can pose the risk of stomach rupture. Syringe feeding when the stomach is bloated, will add additional pressure, which is the last thing you want.

If the stomach itself is bloted then there could be an obstruction, which means the stomach may need to be decompressed and if that doesn't work then surgery may be needed.
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Acute_gastrointestinal_dilation
Medirabbit (WARNING contains graphic medical related photos )

If it's not the stomach that is bloated but the intestines, that is often due to pathogenic bacteria, some of which can prove fatal very quickly. In needs immediate treatment with the correct antibiotics(metronidazole ) and cholestyramine to absorb the deadly toxins produced.

If your rabbit was bloated when you took your bun to the vet, then I would surmise your vet isn't experienced enough with rabbits as the treatment prescribed is entirely inadequate for a rabbit with bloat. And I would suggest finding a more experienced rabbit vet if possible.
https://rabbit.org/vet-listings/
Bloat usually will cause a rabbit to become hypothermic, so in the meantime if bun is cold and hypothermic, I would provide a warm pack to help keep the temp up .

 

[Gelly]

If she is bloated you should not be syringe feeding anything and you should contact your vet immediately! Bloat can be immediately life threatening as it can put pressure on the heart and lungs and can pose the risk of stomach rupture. Syringe feeding when the stomach is bloated, will add additional pressure, which is the last thing you want.

If the stomach itself is bloted then there could be an obstruction, which means the stomach may need to be decompressed and if that doesn't work then surgery may be needed.
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Acute_gastrointestinal_dilation
Medirabbit (WARNING contains graphic medical related photos )

If it's not the stomach that is bloated but the intestines, that is often due to pathogenic bacteria, some of which can prove fatal very quickly. In needs immediate treatment with the correct antibiotics(metronidazole ) and cholestyramine to absorb the deadly toxins produced.

If your rabbit was bloated when you took your bun to the vet, then I would surmise your vet isn't experienced enough with rabbits as the treatment prescribed is entirely inadequate for a rabbit with bloat. And I would suggest finding a more experienced rabbit vet if possible.
https://rabbit.org/vet-listings/
Bloat usually will cause a rabbit to become hypothermic, so in the meantime if bun is cold and hypothermic, I would provide a warm pack to help keep the temp up .

Oh gosh! Nova, is your vet rabbit savvy?

 

[Gelly]

HELP!!

My bunny was diagnosed with Gi Stasis today from the vet after not eating or drinking and barely moving for about 12 hours. They gave us pain meds and CC to syringe feed her but she won’t take the syringe!! Her tummy is very bloated already so it’s hard to mover her plus she already HATED getting picked up!! She also can care less about height so if i put her higher up she would jump off no doubt. I’m getting scared since i’ve been trying for over 2 hours to feed her and i only got in 1ml!!! Please help me find a way to feed her

Also GI stasis is not really a diagnosis. It’s a dangerous symptom that results from an underlying condition. When my bunny had minor GI stasis, he was kept at the vet over night for monitoring and tests. They tested his liver, kidneys, a panel of tests for common parasites, bacteria etc, and vet scans. It was $$$$ but sending a bun home without finding the proper source of GI stasis seems a little irresponsible. Maybe I’m wrong.

Can you update us on what’s happening?

 

[Novabunbun15]

Yes we went to a rabbit savvy vet on the list. We got the medicine in her no problem the CC is taking a little more effort cause she really doesn’t want it. Her bloating is gone, i think it was because the IV she was hooked onto so all those liquids. They said to bring her back for an overnight stay if she doesn’t go bathroom still and eat so hopefully she will do better today as i am about to feed her again.

 

[Black Otter's Mom]

I had a bunny that had stasis and it was treated as an emergency. She was given x-rays and tests. When I could take her home it was with the above meds mentioned and I was given a bag of fluids that I had to inject as a drip, hung the bag from a cabinet drawer (I am a medical lab tech). I had to give her Oxbow Critical Care which I added rotating fruit or vegetable baby food. If you squirt a blob on bunny lips, bunny will lick by instinct. Then syringe feed (add water until runny). Stasis can be fatal. Pain med needed and also add human baby gas drops. If your bunny has bloat, you can be sure its extremely painful. Poor bunny. Sometimes oral fluids are not enough and sub-q fluids needed fast. I held bunny in baby blanket like burrito in crook of my arm. It can take several days. This is an emergency situation. Been there, almost lost her.

 

[Novabunbun15]

Little Update: She’s doing better!! Not much yet but she ate some hay!!! Still no lettuce but had a few pellets. She is still a reluctant to the CC and very giving to the medicine. Water she doesn’t want to drink really but we syringe it into her easily so she’s thirsty and fine with it but just doesn’t want to drink herself like usual. I may get her a little drop water thing to see if that will help but i know those are not good for bunnies so i would only use that until she drinks on her own again. Also she started the day not pooping but is now starting to poop a little more. Not as much as a healthy bun but little steps at least.