Would you suspect GI Stasis or other? And a question about parasites?

[Kimchilla]

I have been blessed with a zero health issues eight years of rabbits until the last month. I feel rather clueless when it comes to first hand knowledge of sickness and treatment so I wanted to get some thoughts here.

An 8 year old buck started to drink excessively and progressed to urinating constantly. At home treatment for kidney disease, which was my google diagnosis of him, and oddly enough at the same time had brought a puppy with similar symptoms to the vet who also has renal disease (totally unrelated reason why) When he became obviously uncomfortable and end stage, he was euthanized.

He was with two other bucks who have no symptoms.

FF to this past weekend. We have a colony of does in a stout 20x20 paddock of 4' welded wire, wood posts, with a "run-in" 10x10 stall and hutches. Same sob story... dogs who have been around these guys all of their lives with no issues, terrorized the lot of them. Some rabbits got out but over 24 hours we were able to find them! They were all not eating as well and skittish of sounds that they were otherwise used to . I have been spending extra time with them, offering snuggles and observing. One 2 year old doe seemed to get thin very fast. After a day I noticed her off alone and though she would eat, it wasn't enough/as much.
When I noticed that I treated her for GI Stasis with probiotics, a little soaked alfalfa to tube in, Gas-X and an aspirin. Since she is a colony rabbit the poop could be anybody's but there was one large log kind of all stuck together which, after researching, looks like it could be GI Stasis poop? She progressed from that to diarrhea and passed less than 24 hours into treatment.

My question is this, does it sound like GI Stasis from the stress, with the doe?

Is there anything that I can do to help prevent that with the others?

They're doing well, they used to spend time in the stall which has a hay rack and eat quite often but now they want to be outside which is currently 15*f and snowy (I think so that they can see)
Even with hay out by them, which gets buried by snow, I am worried about them!

My other question and reason for mentioning the buck was just to rule out, it doesn't sound as though the two are related does it? I want to make sure that I am not missing something contagious.

One more question, the rabbits, having been out of their pen, came into contact with who knows what on the ground. Fortunately, its covered in fresh snow, but, they did roam the barn which has mice I'm sure. Should I wait a bit then have a fecal done or is there a recommended parasite medication to give? I have honestly never had any health issues with them such as these so what knowledge I have from reading online is just that and thought I'd run it by some of you.

I may take one to a vet that I found who is about 45 minutes away and treats rabbits, just to look one over and talk to someone. HOWEVER with the recent stress issue I am not taking one until they're settled. So in the meantime, thoughts?

 

[JBun]

The rabbit that passed could have developed enterotoxemia from the stressful experience. Severe stress can alter a rabbits GI microflora, and this can then allow for the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

Enterotoxemia is the most likely cause of sudden death in rabbits, with prior occurrence of diarrhea. Weaning diarrhea in baby rabbits is pretty much the same thing, the same bacteria, usually caused by excess stress altering the GI balance, and/or too many carbs or sudden changes in the rabbits diet. It's more common in baby rabbits because of their developing digestion and immune system, but it can also sometimes happen in adult rabbits given the right conditions.

(CONTAINS GRAPHIC MEDICAL RELATED PHOTOS)
https://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_diseases/Weaning/Sevrage_en.htm

It doesn't seem likely to me that the bucks kidney problem is related. Unless it was caused by e. cuniculi, then maybe a slight possibility, but I'm inclined to think it's not, and the does death is due to the stressful episode or possible environmental contamination.

Some things to make sure of and what I would do, is cleaning up as much of the feces of the rabbit that passed, as possible. If you can safely disinfect the area (rabbit safe disinfecting), even better. Also make sure there is no moldy hay accessible by your rabbits. Wet hay will go moldy in warm enough temps, and moldy hay is deadly to rabbits. Maybe throw out the probiotics you used. There's the possibility they could have gone bad and introduced harmful bacteria, causing the death. Also check the alfalfa hay (if different from your other hay) you feed, making sure it isn't moldy.

If any other rabbits aren't eating sufficient amounts, but still eating some, I would supplement with syringe feeds. But I would use a good quality grass hay based mix, and low in carbs. High fiber, minimal sugar is one of the best things I've found for correcting mild to moderate GI issues in rabbits. That's why good quality (no mold, no noxious weeds) grass hay is a common recommendation for these types of things.

For any rabbits really struggling, sick rabbits tend to become hypothermic quickly. So I'd bring indoors for monitoring and recovery. And if that becomes an extended period when the thick winter coat sheds, to be safe the rabbit would need to remain indoors until spring.

If any rabbits have stopped eating completely, develop diarrhea, or you have any concerns, my suggestion would be to contact a knowledgeable rabbit vet right away, and bring a fecal sample for testing if needed. A rabbit not eating for 12-24 hours is considered an emergency. True diarrhea (enterotoxemia) or bloat are immediate emergencies. True diarrhea is ongoing mushy or watery brown or greenish fecal poop. Not to be confused with a non emergency minor one off splat from something they ate where fecal balls return to normal, or mushy cecotropes where fecal balls are normal (usually non emergency causes).

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Veterinary_emergencies

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Choosing_a_rabbit_veterinarian

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Michigan

If anymore rabbits come down with diarrhea, it's either possible the bacteria has spread from the first rabbit that died, or there is something contaminated in their environment (eg bad hay, bad feed, contamination from the mice). Whether or not it can be treated with medication and which one, will depend on what the cause is. If it's enterotoxemia, that is usually fatal, but for a chance at saving the rabbit, cholestyramine (Questran, to bind the toxins) is essential, then metronidazole and possibly other antibiotics may be needed. And other treatment and meds like sub q fluids.

(Consult with experienced rabbit vet on treatment options)
https://hare.as.miami.edu/squirts.pdf

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Enterotoxemia

The rabbits may not have the sense to stay out of the cold and keep themselves safe. Especially after a recent stressful incident. You may need to block off their outdoor access until you're sure they've fully recovered.

This is just general info and thoughts based on my experiences. For actual medical advise and/or treatment, it's best to consult with a knowledgeable rabbit vet.