GI stasis

GI Stasis

Contents

1. Etiology (Cause)
2. Clinical Signs
3. Treatment, Prevention, and Control
   1. Treatment
4. References

Etiology / Causes of GI Upset

GI upset and stasis in rabbits can result from multiple factors that impair gut motility or disturb the delicate hindgut microbiome:

• **Low fiber intake**: Insufficient dietary fiber impairs normal gut motility. Diets containing less than <14% fiber can predispose rabbits to slowed gastrointestinal transit.
• **Excessive or imbalanced fiber**: Too much fiber >25% —especially from poor-quality hay—or high-protein diets can disrupt hindgut fermentation. Excess fiber can slow cecal fermentation, allowing bacterial overgrowth and producing gas or bloat.
• **Sugary treats / fruits**: High sugar content in snacks or excessive fresh fruit can unbalance gut microbiota, leading to bacterial overload, bloating, and stasis.
• **Diet changes / fast feed switches**: Rapid changes in pellets or feed type can shock the gut microbiome, triggering digestive upset.
• **Stress**: Environmental stressors, handling, or social aggression can impair motility.
• **Surgery / anesthesia**: Anesthesia can temporarily halt gut movement; post-surgical GI stasis is common.
• **Wool block**: Hair ingestion, especially during molting, can obstruct the gut.
• **Intestinal torsion / colic**
• **Moldy or spoiled feed**
• **Illness / infection**: Includes bacterial, viral, or parasitic conditions such as coccidiosis.

Clinical Signs

• Abdominal pain or tenderness
• Bloating
• Reduced or absent fecal output
• Decreased appetite or refusal to eat

Treatment, Prevention, and Control

Treatment

Immediate action is critical for rabbits showing GI stasis. Treatment includes:

1. **Vitamin and Fluid Support**

• 100 cc Lactated Ringer's solution (LR) subcutaneously (SC) with 1 cc B12 or high-B complex added. This helps fight dehydration and stimulate gut motility.

1. **Oral Sugar Solution**

• 3 cc glucose or corn syrup orally every 30–60 minutes. The concentrated sugar helps jump-start gut activity and counteract shock.

1. **Probiotics**

• Administer a pea-sized amount of probiotic paste (e.g., Jumpstart or Probios) or 1 cc water with probiotics hourly to stabilize gut flora.

1. **Gas Relief (if bloated)**

• Baby gas drops (Simethicone/Mylicon) every 15 minutes.
• Gently massage the abdomen to help relieve trapped gas.

1. **Fiber Support**

• Force-feed pellet mash, Critical Care, pureed pumpkin, or Benefiber (3 cc per feed) to maintain gut movement.

1. **Hydration and Stabilization**

• Follow with 3 cc plain water or water with probiotics between treatments.

Treatment sessions should be spaced approximately 15 minutes apart, with repetition every hour as needed.

Address Underlying Causes

• **Bacterial overload or secondary infections**: Treat as indicated (e.g., Toltrazuril for coccidia, Baytril or LA200 for respiratory infections, PEN-G for abscesses, Safeguard for enteric coccidiosis, Ivermectin for ear mites).
• **Surgical or stress-related stasis**: Manage environment, hydration, and pain control.

Prevention

Preventing GI stasis in rabbits focuses on maintaining gut motility, proper nutrition, stress reduction, and proactive healthcare.

• **Dietary Management**
  • Provide a consistent, balanced pelleted diet meeting NRC and WRSA guidelines.
  • Limit fresh fruits and vegetables to 1–2 tablespoons per day as a supplement rather than a primary nutrient source.
  • Ensure adequate fiber intake through Balanced 15-24% Fiber pellets to support normal gut function.
  • Avoid moldy or spoiled feed.

• **Stress Reduction**
  • Minimize environmental stressors, such as sudden changes in housing or handling.
  • Monitor social housing and minimize aggressive interactions.

• **Post-Surgical and Anesthetic Care**
  • Provide supportive care after anesthesia to reduce risk of post-operative GI stasis.
  • Monitor closely for signs of abdominal discomfort, reduced fecal output, or bloating.

• **Probiotic Supplementation**

Recent research supports the use of probiotics to maintain healthy gut microbiota, enhance digestion, and support immune function:

• • Shaheen et al. (2025)** demonstrated that supplementation with *Bifidobacterium*, *Spirulina platensis*, or *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* in low-energy pelleted diets improved feed conversion, body weight, metabolic health, and immune response in New Zealand White rabbits.<ref>Shaheen, M.S., et al. (2025). "Bifidobacterium, Spirulina, and Yeast extracts in low-energy diets for rabbits." *Frontiers in Veterinary Science*, 12:1615203. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1615203</ref>
  • Additional studies confirm benefits across breeds: improved gut barrier function, optimized hematology/biochemistry profiles, enhanced resistance to pathogens, and overall digestive stability (Yan et al., 2024; Kadja et al., 2021; Bouaziz et al., 2021; Guo et al., 2017; Ezema & Eze, 2015; Górska et al., 2016).

• **Regular Health Monitoring**
  • Routine veterinary check-ups to detect early signs of gastrointestinal issues.
  • Early intervention for parasitic infections (e.g., coccidia) or dental problems that can predispose rabbits to stasis.

• **Environmental Enrichment**
  • Encourage exercise and natural foraging behavior to maintain gut motility.
  • Provide safe chew materials and opportunities for gentle activity.

By integrating diet consistency, stress management, proactive healthcare, and probiotic supplementation, the risk of GI stasis can be substantially reduced.

References

• Harcourt-Brown, F. (2002). Textbook of Rabbit Medicine. Butterworth-Heinemann.
• Greene, H. (2021). Epidemiology of Neoplasia in Pet Rabbits. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine.
• Varga, M. (2014). Textbook of Rabbit Medicine, 2nd Edition. Elsevier.
• Brodbelt, D.C., et al. (2008). "Risk factors for anaesthetic-related death in pet rabbits." Veterinary Record 162, no. 12: 388–390.