Gastrointestinal Stasis:

For a rabbit to be healthy and happy, their metabolism must be in constant motion. Gastrointestinal stasis is a condition that occurs when your rabbit's digestive system stops or shuts down. This can be a life threatening condition if not seen to immediately. 

 

Causes:

• Lack of exercise 

• Severe pain 

• Dental Disease

• High starch, low fibre diet

• Lack of grazing foods (hay and grass)

 

Symptoms:

When a rabbit has Gastroinstestinal Stasis they usually present with the following behavioural and physical symptoms.

 

Behavioural:

• General discomfort

• Lethargy 

• Hunched posture

• Loss of apetite 

 

Physical:

• Small or deforemed fecal pellets

• Lack of fecal pellets

 

Prevention:

Gastronitestinal Stasis can be a symptom of an underlying condition, so if any of the symptoms above are observed, take your rabbit to the vets as soon as possible. (This disease is also known as "The silent killer")

 

• Always provide enough hay and grass for your rabbit.

• Prevent excess stress in your rabbit's life.

• Provide enough space for your rabbit to run around in. 

• Take your rabbit to the vets regularly for checkups to prevent any underlying conditions from causing this one.