🐰 The Vet’s Guide to Rabbit Melena in 2025

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc – veterinarian & Ask A Vet founder. Melena—black, tar-like feces—signals blood in the upper digestive tract. This guide offers in-depth, vet-led insight on causes, diagnosis, treatment, and at-home supportive care, tailored for well-informed rabbit owners in 2025.

🔍 What Is Melena?

Melena is the passage of black, tarry stools that result from digestion of blood in the stomach or small intestine. In rabbits, it’s rare but highly concerning—a sign of serious bleeding or ulceration in the upper GI tract :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

🚨 Why It Matters

Melena indicates bleeding that’s already progressed from the upper GI tract, posing risks of anemia, hypoproteinemia, and systemic illness. Rabbits may show weakness, pale gums, and dehydration :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}. It often flags ulcers, stress-associated GI issues, tumors, or blockages.

⚠️ Common Causes of Melena in Rabbits

• Gastric ulcers: Often stress-induced (illness, surgery, environment) :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• GI stasis or obstruction: Chronic motility issues can damage mucosa leading to bleeding :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Stress or systemic disease: Kidney or liver diseases, adrenal conditions, clotting disorders :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Oral/respiratory blood ingestion: Hemorrhage swallowed from mouth or nasal passages can mimic melena :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Tumors or foreign bodies: GI masses or blockages may erode lining and bleed.

👀 Recognizing the Signs

• Black, tarry, foul-smelling stools or liquid feces
• Anorexia and reduced grooming
• Weight loss, dehydration
• Pain indicators: teeth grinding, hunched posture
• Pale mucous membranes from anemia :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
• Abdominal distension, weak or lethargic movement

🔬 Vet Diagnostic Pathway

1. History & Physical: appetite, stressors, medications, observation of stool.
2. Blood Tests: CBC for anemia, total protein, kidney/liver panels.
3. Fecal Occult Tests: detect hidden blood even if stool seems normal :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
4. Imaging: Abdominal X-rays/ultrasound to detect tumors, foreign bodies, stasis.
5. Endoscopy: Visualize ulcers or masses and possibly collect biopsies.
6. Coagulation/Clotting Tests: If bleeding is widespread or unexplained.

💊 Treatment & Veterinary Care

1. Hospital Stabilization

• IV/subcutaneous fluids to correct dehydration.
• Blood transfusion if severely anemic.
• Bland GI rest: temporarily withholding food to allow mucosal healing.
• Pain relief and acid suppression (e.g., omeprazole, famotidine).

2. Address the Cause

• Ulcers: Continue acid suppression; protectants like sucralfate.
• Obstructions/GI Stasis: Motility agents (cisapride), fluids, possibly surgery.
• Systemic Disease: Manage liver, kidney, clotting disorders accordingly.
• Tumors/Foreign Bodies: Surgical removal or palliative care based on diagnosis.

3. Supportive Care

• Encourage eating: offer wet greens, moistened hay, syringe feed if necessary.
• Maintain hydration: clean water bowls, electrolyte supplements.
• Pain management: tailored analgesia like NSAIDs under vet guidance.

🏡 Home Recovery & Monitoring

• Resume feeding house foods small amounts initially to ease digestion.
• Monitor stools closely—return of normal droppings is key.
• Follow up with vet recheck of blood counts and fecal occult tests.
• Identify and minimize stressors like changes in environment or routine.

🧠 Prevention Strategies

• Limit stress: gradual changes, hiding places, stable routines.
• Provide high-fiber diet: unlimited grass hay to support motility.
• Regular vet checkups and prompt treatment for GI or systemic illnesses.
• Avoid NSAIDs or corticosteroids unless prescribed with GI protection.

🤝 Integrating Ask A Vet, Woopf & Purrz

• Ask A Vet: Tele-consults for early signs, stool changes, or follow-up care.
• Woopf: Hay blends rich in fiber, plus GI-support treats.
• Purrz: Supplements for gut lining support and stress reduction.

📈 Case Examples

Case 1: “Oliver” – Stress-Induced Ulcers

After boarding, Oliver developed black stools and appetite loss. Vet confirmed ulcers. Treated with fluids, acid suppressors, sucralfate, and home diet care—fully recovered in 10 days.

Case 2: “Luna” – GI Obstruction from Foreign Fiber

Luna stopped eating, vomited blood, and had melena. X-rays showed intestinal blockage. Surgery removed a fiber mass. Postoperative fluids, pain control, and motility meds led to gradual return to normal stools and appetite.

⚠️ When to Contact a Vet Immediately

• Persistent black, tarry stools or blood-laden diarrhea
• Signs of anemia—weakness, pale gums, fast breathing
• Appetite loss >12 hours, no fecal output, abdominal pain

✅ Key Take‑Home Points

• Melena is uncommon but critical—it signals upper GI bleeding.
• Immediate vet evaluation with diagnostics is essential.
• Treat the root cause: ulcers, stasis, obstruction, disease.
• Support recovery with gentle feeding, hydration, and monitoring.
• Reduce stress, maintain high-fiber diet, and stay alert to changes.
• Use Ask A Vet, Woopf, and Purrz for extra guidance and nutrition support.

With early detection and multi-faceted care in 2025, rabbits with melena can recover fully. For personalized support, download the Ask A Vet app today and get real-time veterinary advice when it matters most. 🐇❤️