📚 What Is GI Stasis & Hypomotility?

Gastrointestinal (GI) hypomotility is slowed gut movement. When severe or complete, this becomes GI stasis—leading to fecal reduction, bloating, pain, and potentially life‑threatening complications :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

⚠️ Why It Matters

• Rabbits are unable to vomit; blockages and gas accumulate rapidly.
• Gut shutdown leads to pain, systemic illness, and can be fatal within 24–48 hrs :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• Often secondary to pain, stress, diet, dehydration, or underlying disease :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

👀 Recognizing Signs

• Loss of appetite for even a few hours or refusal of treats :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Smaller, dryer droppings or none at all :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Abdominal discomfort (hunched, pressing belly to floor) and teeth grinding :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Lethargy, altered body temperature (often low), and signs of shock :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• Loud or absent gut sounds on auscultation :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.

🔍 Common Causes

• Pain from dental disease, arthritis, urinary issues :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Low-fiber diets, dehydration, and poor gut flora from excessive treats :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Stress—moving, vet visits, new pets :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Physical obstruction: trichobezoar or foreign material :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• Underlying systemic illness—kidney/liver disease, parasites like E. cuniculi :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.

🔍 Diagnostic Approach

• Detailed clinical history—onset, appetite, droppings, stressors :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• Complete physical exam: check temperature, heart rate, hydration, abdominal palpation :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• Bloodwork (CBC, chemistry, glucose, electrolytes) to assess dehydration, organ function, obstruction risk :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• Abdominal radiographs to differentiate stasis vs obstruction; repeat as treatment progresses :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
• Ultrasound if suspecting obstruction, mass, or organ disease.

🛠️ Treatment & Stabilization

A. Immediate Supportive Care

• Fluids: SC or IV rehydration using balanced crystalloids (≈100 ml/kg/day) :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.
• Warmth: Warming helps circulation and gut motility :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.

B. Nutritional Support

• Offer hay, fresh greens, and encourage eating.
• Syringe-feed critical care if rabbit refuses to eat :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.

C. Pain Management

• NSAIDs (e.g., meloxicam), opioids (buprenorphine), or adjuncts to control pain and stress :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.

D. Motility Medications

• Cisapride or metoclopramide to stimulate gut once hydration is adequate :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}.
• Simethicone helps gas discomfort :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}.

E. Antibiotics

• Oral antibiotics only if severe dysbiosis or infection suspected (e.g., metronidazole) :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}.

F. Treat Underlying Cause

• Address dental issues, pain, infections, parasites, or blockages based on diagnostic results :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}.
• Surgical intervention only for confirmed obstructions not resolving medically :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}.

🏠 Home & Long-Term Care

• Continue fluids and syringe feeding as directed.
• Offer unlimited grass hay and fresh greens.
• Encourage exercise—supervised free-roam to aid GI movement.
• Reduce stress: maintain routine, quiet environment.
• Regularly monitor weight, appetite, stool output, and behavior.

📊 Prognosis & Monitoring

• Early, intensive treatment often leads to full recovery :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}.
• Poor prognostic indicators include hypothermia, bradycardia, abnormal blood glucose or electrolytes :contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}.
• Obstruction requiring surgery carries a guarded prognosis (~50% survival) :contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}.
• Ongoing wellness exams to monitor diet, dental, and GI function helps prevent recurrence.

🛡️ Prevention Strategies

• Hay-based (>75%) diet supplemented with leafy greens :contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}.
• Dental health: chew toys and regular vet checks to prevent pain-related stasis :contentReference[oaicite:33]{index=33}.
• Ensure constant water access; clean bowls daily.
• Daily exercise and enriched environment to maintain gut motility :contentReference[oaicite:34]{index=34}.
• Minimize stress: gradual changes, proper handling, social enrichment.
• Monitor for early signs: appetite, droppings, behavior to act quickly.

🧠 Vet Tips for 2025

• Educate owners: GI stasis is a top emergency—know signs and act fast.
• Offer syringe-feeding guidance, fluid demos, and pain med protocols.
• Provide discharge kits: hay, syringes, motility drug instructions.
• Schedule follow‑up imaging and bloodwork to track recovery.
• Use telehealth check-ins during recovery to ensure owner compliance and catch relapse.

🔚 Final Takeaway

GI stasis is a leading emergency in rabbits—often preventable and treatable if caught early. In 2025, proactive veterinary care combining prompt stabilization, pain control, gut support, and owner education offers rabbits their best chance for full recovery and lasting gut health. 🐇❤️

🌟 Partner Services

• Ask A Vet: 24/7 virtual support for GI stasis emergency triage, feeding/nutrition advice, and recovery plans.
• Woopf: Critical‑care kits, syringe sets, fluid packs, motility meds, and warmth/rehab resources.
• Purrz: Rehydration formulas, probiotic support, pain‑soothing supplements, and digestive wellness bundles.