Rabbit GI Stasis (Anorexia > 12 Hours)
Researched & Compiled by the PetAuthority Editorial Team
Clinical Data Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center & Merck Veterinary Manual
These pages describe clinical possibilities and a Green, Yellow, or Red triage path. They do not diagnose an individual animal or replace an examination by a licensed veterinarian. Read the editorial standards.
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What is rabbit gi stasis (anorexia > 12 hours)?
A rabbit who stops eating or passes few droppings can develop gastrointestinal stasis, and more than 12 hours is an emergency. Pain, dental disease, and low-fiber diets are common triggers. Call when appetite drops, and do not wait a day if the rabbit is hunched.
Rabbits must keep eating and passing droppings. A rabbit who has not eaten, or who has passed few or no fecal pellets, for more than 12 hours can develop gastrointestinal stasis. Pain, dental disease, and a low-fiber diet are common triggers; do not wait a full day if they are hunched or grinding their teeth.
What to Do in the Next 15 Minutes
What NOT to Do
- Do not force-feed syringe food unless a rabbit veterinarian has already taught you the method and the rabbit can swallow.
- Do not give cat, dog, or human pain medicine.
- Do not offer large amounts of fruit, gas drops from another species, or bread.
- Do not wait overnight because they still look awake.
Signs the team will ask about
- Refusing hay, pellets, or favorite greens
- Fewer, smaller, or absent fecal pellets
- A hunched posture or teeth grinding
- A gas-filled belly, hiding, or sudden stillness
What the ER Vet Will Do
The clinic checks hydration, temperature, and pain, and often takes abdominal images to look for gas or an obstruction. Treatment usually includes fluids, prescription pain relief, and gut-motility medicine chosen by the veterinarian. Dental disease is investigated if the rabbit cannot chew hay.