Recurring GI Stasis/Diet

Question
Hi Pam,

I'm the happy and proud guardian of 2 bunnies, both adopted from the Wisconsin Humane Society - got one in 2008 and the other in 2009. Since I've gotten Jessica (now she's about 4)in '08 i've had to take her in to the vet 3 times because she wasn't eating that much, or at all.  They gave her some cisapride each time, and that seemed to get her back to normal.  Now she seems to have another case of it, but she did eat some romaine lettuce a little while ago (after I gave her some cisapride from the last occurance, which was about 2 months ago). I'm kind of concerned about this, especially since it's recurring.  Hutch, the other one, eats the same exact diet and he hasn't had problems (i usually give them about 1/4 cup of pellets (total for both of them), and a bowl full of the following veggies: parsley, cilantro, green leaf & romaine lettuce.  Occasionally i give them a treat - an apple/banana slice once in awhile, barley biscuits, and 'special rewards' (a strawberry flavored sweet snack)).  My question is this: can a change in diet cause digestion problems - after her last visit to the vet she seemed to be really perky, and recently I just got more of the snacks.  Could it be that her stomach is just really sensitive ?  I had another rabbit die in 2005 from GI stasis - she got it about 3 times over 3 years and didn't pull through the last time.  Is it more common in female bunnies ?  Thanks for your input.

Answer
Hi,

Has the vet checked her for all potential health issues?  The biggest cause of GI stasis is bad teeth.  Anything that can cause her pain can cause her to stop eating and it is a vicious cycle.  I am assuming since she was rescued that she is spayed?  I know our humane society does not spay does because they do not have a vet that will do it.  If she is not already spayed she could be having reproductive issues that can cause her pain.  

I would not be giving her any snacks if she is that sensitive.  Some rabbits have such sensitive GI tracts that they just can't handle it.  There are many different opinions on diets.  Many organizations and vets recommend veggie diets.  It is my own personal opinion as a breeder that a diet of very high quality pellets and free choice of fresh hay is the best diet.  The vet I work with prefers to give only a tablespoon of pellets per day and the rest of the diet being a variety of oat grass, timothy grass and other safe hays.  Talk with your vet about keeping some metacam on hand.  Any time I have a rabbit that goes off of feed or acts sluggish for more than 24 hours they immediately get a dose of metacam.  This alone is almost always enough to get them eating by the next day.  If they haven't eaten by the next day I start the regimen of force feeding, sub q fluids and cisapride.  It is also important to get them into the vet any time after 24 hours of not eating to get radiographs.  Although complete blockages are not common you don't want to start force feeding if there is a true blockage.

I really think you need to stick with the diet that works for her and if your vet had not done a full work up then please find a vet than will.  Since this is a recurring problem she needs to have blood tests, molar checks, radiographs and a complete exam.  The whole idea is to find out what is causing it and put a stop to it.  Many vets will treat bunnies but do not fully understand their vast majorities of issues.  I will attach a list of vets by region at the bottom.  Not all of the great vets in the world are on the list but the ones on the list have been recommended by the house rabbit society.  I am not a big fan of some of the house rabbit societies recommendation but the one thing I can agree on is that the vets they have listed are grade A excellent rabbit vets with tons of experience.

Another person you can contact is Ms. Dana Krempels.  She is a PhD in Biology and she is extremely knowledgeable with rabbit problems.

Here is the vet list:

http://www.rabbit.org/vets

I am sorry I could not be more help.  I do hope that you finally get some answers to the cause of  your bunnies GI issues.

Pam