GI Stasis?

Question
QUESTION: My rabbit is being very particular about his eating.  His poops have gotten progressively smaller.  He is still eating, but the food he is interested in is causing poopy butt.  Is this still considered a poop or is it just cecal matter.  I do know that he has molar points and I plan to have them removed early April.  That's the soonest I can get it done.  I just don't want him to die on me before I can get his teeth floated.  HELP!  I'm so scared for my Thatcher's life.

ANSWER: Hi Karan,

Does your vet understand that the bunny is not eating?  You might want to try to call the vet and tell them that it is an emergency.  In the meantime you might want to try Critical Care.  If your vet is truly rabbit savvy they should have some there.  If not you can look it up online and should be able to order it from a variety of places.  Sometimes the Critical Care is easier for them to eat because they don't really need to chew it.  When one of our bunnies went off feed due to molars he had no problems eating the Critical Care.  In fact even after his teeth were fixed he still wouldn't eat unless I hand fed him the stuff because he liked it so much.  You mix it up to the consistency of paste and then feed it to them through a syringe.  Often times they will slurp it right out of the syringe because it tastes good and it doesn't cause them pain.  I prefer to make it a little more watery than the directions state because it is easier to pass through the syringe.  If you make it to thick it gets stuck in the tip of the syringe.  Use caution to push it in the mouth slowly so Thatcher doesn't aspirate it into his lungs.  Also try to find a syringe with a long narrow tip rather than the kind that a needle would attach to.  

I am not sure what you are feeding your bunny that is causing poopy butt.  You may be feeding a diet that is to rich which in turn is causing him not to eat his cecotropes which is probably what you are seeing.  Depending on which veggies he is used to try feeding one or two at a time.  You should eventually be able to figure out which ones are causing the problem.  Regardless of the poopy bottom you have to keep him eating.  I personally prefer a small amount of veggies and several feedings of the Critical Care until you can get them through the crisis.  Stay away from anything starchy such as carrots and stay away from anything that can cause gas such as broccoli and brussel sprouts.  If he gets gas it is only going to make the problem worse.  Each bunny is different but I have pulled many rabbits through GI stasis with beet greens, cilantro, parsley and very small amounts of spinach.  The whole point is to keep him eating until he gets his teeth fixed.  Make sure he is getting plenty of hay and water.  The Critical Care has timothy in the ingredients and it is mixed with water.  However I always feed them a few syringes of plain fresh water after their feedings.

I still strongly recommend that you call your vet back and express to them that this is an emergency and not something you feel can wait.  Most vets set aside time for emergency patients.  If your vet does not believe that the beginning signs of GI stasis are an emergency it may be time to look elsewhere.

I do hope that Thatcher recovers.  Please let me know if you need any further assistance.

Pam

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I tried to syringe feed Thatcher Critial Care but he would not have any of the process. I didn't really want to stress him out. He is eating collards, parsely, some inexpensive pellets I had around. He is not eating his favorite treat, banana. He won't eat a good quality pellet anymore.  He also is eating some whole-grain bread & triscits and I'm glad he is eating something. I also have been giving him .5cc of the Reglan. It's a year old, but surely it is still good enough. I'm also giving him .3cc of Metcam. The Reglan I am giving him without doctors approval, but I have cured many GI Stasis. I have an appointment on Friday at another vet that I also trust.  I have lost so many rabbits in the past year.  Some are getting very old. I operated a rabbit rescue/rehoming organization until last May. I love my rabbits so much.

Since I have you here, I have a rabbit I took in and he has been doing fine.  Now his eye is getting wet around it.  I guess I need to take him to the vet also.

Thanks for the help,
Karan

Answer
Hi Karan,

It sounds like you know what you are doing.  I wouldn't recommend triscuts and bread and that may be where the mushy poop is coming from.  Carbohydrates are rough on their sensitive stomachs.  I am guessing that by the time you have read this that you have already gone to the vet.  I hope that you were able to get the molars filed and that it solves the problem.  Truthfully there comes a point when you have to get them to eat something.  It basically comes down to getting them to eat something or having them die from ileus.  Obviously you want to do whatever you can to try to get them to eat but you don't want to make the situation worse.  If he is eating the greens I would suggest keeping him on the greens.

As for the one with the eye I would suggest a vet appointment.  As you know weepy eyes can be caused by molar issues but it can also be caused by a variety of of bacterias so it is best to get the bunny checked out.

I hope everything goes well at the doctor today.

Pam