Stasis issues still ongoing since 11/10/11...

Jenk · Dec 4, 2011

My 4.5-year-old Mini Rex, Emma, is stasis-prone, as I've stated numerous times on this forum. I am thisclose to putting her on motility drugs permanently, as I have no life due to her constant need for special care.

On 11/10/11, Emma passed tiny fecals; one vet put her on Metoclopramide that day due to Emma's stomach distension. Eventually, Cisapride was added in.

Since 11/10, Emma's been on motility drugs. I started weaning her off them 1.5 weeks ago; this morning was supposed to be her final dose. But based on what I've seen in her litter box this afternoon, I'll be calling the vet tomorrow to reassess the situation; she's now passing the same tiny fecals that prompted stasis treatment in the first place.

Emma's taken nearly a month to show real improvement in fecal size/qty. She had some of the most normal-sized (and quantity of) fecals on 12/2. I felt elated that she was turning the corner. But later that evening, two different smoke alarms went off about 10 min. apart.
I felt terrified that the loud noise would affect Emma's progress, and I suspect that I was/am correct: her current small fecals could be a setback from that evening.

Emma's been through every possible test--including one for lead toxicity--except for an ultrasound. Nothing conclusive has ever been found, and, thus, we've wasted thousands of dollars on repeats of the same tests. (Doesn't that action fit into the definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results? Heh...)

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be curious to hear them.

Jenk

Sweetie · Dec 4, 2011

I think that Emma is just responded to stress. Have you tried giving her lots of fiber? Like lots more hay than usual, canned pumpkin has lots of fiber in it, also give lots of water. Lots of TLC during the stressful times will help Emma through this ordeal.

Is she eating and drinking normal, pooping and peeing normal? If so, I don't think that she is going through stasis. Because during stasis the rabbit would not be eating/drinking, pooping/peeing normal.

If she is still pooping but they are small, it is caused by something that is causing her stress. The best thing that you can do is talk to her and give her lots of TLC, plus lots more hay than usual, also water. You can also give her simethicone as she might be experiencing gas symptoms. Small poops can indicate gas bout. Oh you can also give your rabbit apple. Apple has fiber in it and antioxidants that are good for the digestive system.

I hope that she recovers soon.

Jenk · Dec 6, 2011

Sweetie wrote:

I think that Emma is just responded to stress. Have you tried giving her lots of fiber? Like lots more hay than usual, canned pumpkin has lots of fiber in it, also give lots of water. Lots of TLC during the stressful times will help Emma through this ordeal.

Emma has access to timothy hay 24/7, though she eats much less hay whenever her gut feels irritated and/or overly full. Hay is something I can't force into her, so it's tricky like that.

Is she eating and drinking normal, pooping and peeing normal? If so, I don't think that she is going through stasis. Because during stasis the rabbit would not be eating/drinking, pooping/peeing normal.

Yes and no. She's pooping somewhat okay and is peeing; she's still eating but consumed less hay last night (overnight) than I'd hoped she would. And she's barely touching her water, in part because I've increased her greens. But she's always done much better if she still consumes a good amount of water apart from the water she ingests from food.

Last night, Emma didn't touch her greens for two full hours, which is unusual for her. And even though she started eating them at 8 pm, she didn't finish them until 10:30 pm--another oddity. (She only had 1/2 C. of greens.)

If she is still pooping but they are small, it is caused by something that is causing her stress. The best thing that you can do is talk to her and give her lots of TLC, plus lots more hay than usual, also water. You can also give her simethicone as she might be experiencing gas symptoms. Small poops can indicate gas bout. Oh you can also give your rabbit apple. Apple has fiber in it and antioxidants that are good for the digestive system.

I've been through this process with Emma so many times that I know how rough it is to pull her out of stasis symptoms through natural (at-home) means. I'm trying my best this time; I can't stomach the idea of paying for yet another vet exam and medications. Plus, the lengthy drive to the vet's office is counterproductive.

Being a Mini Rex, Emma is stasis-prone like you wouldn't believe. It isn't always a matter of ingested fur contributing to her slowdown issues. She seems to have an internal abnormality--either physically or physiologically (or both)--that contributes to her gut issues. My husband and I have paid for the same tests over and over again, only to have nothing definitive (helpful) found.

I hope that she recovers soon.

My fingers are crossed, too; I don't want to have to resort to more vet visits and invasive treatment(s).

Sweetie · Dec 6, 2011

Could Emma be experiencing gas bouts? Maybe try simethicone (baby gas meds). The dosage is 1mL once for three hours. For ex: 5:30pm 1mL of simethicone, 6:30pm 2nd dose of 1mL of simethicone, 7:30pm 3rd dose of 1mL of simethicone. Wait about 8 to 12 hours after the third dose and then repeat if necessary.

Jenk · Dec 6, 2011

Sweetie wrote:

Could Emma be experiencing gas bouts? Maybe try simethicone (baby gas meds). The dosage is 1mL once for three hours. For ex: 5:30pm 1mL of simethicone, 6:30pm 2nd dose of 1mL of simethicone, 7:30pm 3rd dose of 1mL of simethicone. Wait about 8 to 12 hours after the third dose and then repeat if necessary.

You're preachin' to the choir.

I'm well-versed on the typical stasis protocol, though I wish I didn't have to be this much on top of things.

I have not been treating Emma that aggressively with Simethicone, though she has been receiving it twice daily. Considering her gut issues/sensitivities, I don't know that gas is the issue. Still, I might try giving her more Simethicone (and a dose of Metacam) tonight.

Since her stomach/cecum region feels a bit full, I hope that she's able to properly absorb (and benefit from) the meds.

Jenk

Jenk · Dec 6, 2011

Sweetie wrote:

Could Emma be experiencing gas bouts? Maybe try simethicone (baby gas meds). The dosage is 1mL once for three hours. For ex: 5:30pm 1mL of simethicone, 6:30pm 2nd dose of 1mL of simethicone, 7:30pm 3rd dose of 1mL of simethicone. Wait about 8 to 12 hours after the third dose and then repeat if necessary.

Figuring I've nothing to lose, I decided to go the harder-hitting route. When I read your previous post, Emma's first Simethicone dose had been given 1.5 hours earlier. I gave her two more doses after that, of course, timed one hour apart.

She is munching hay as I type this response and has passed some fecals, which I spied in the litter box. My hope, though, is that her fecal size/output improves over the next few days.

Jenk