Digestive Problems in a Bunny

A bunny's digestive systems continually processes food when the animal is healthy. Certain disorders can slow digestion, which may cause food to ferment and create a painful gas store. Worse cases can result in gastrointestinal stasis. If the bunny is not treated it might die in as little as 24 hours. Digestive disorders in bunnies are not an illness themselves but the result of an underlying condition. After dealing with the gastrointestinal distress, the root of it needs to be identified to prevent future occurrences.

  1. Hairballs

    • Bunnies are sometimes misdiagnosed as "having hairballs" as the primary condition. Because they routinely groom themselves with their tongues they always have some hair in their stomach. The hair turns into hairballs when it mixes with partly digested food, like in cats. Unlike cats, rabbits cannot vomit and if the hairball becomes too dry and big to pass through the digestive system it can impact the stomach. Labeling the problem a hairball is usually followed by ineffective treatments and the use of laxatives, enzymes and other supplements that may be harmful and do not improve the bunny's health.

    What is Gastrointestinal Stasis (Ileus)?

    • Gastrointestinal stasis happens when a diet that is too low in fiber causes the bunny's digestive system to empty slowly. The stomach becomes impacted as the contents dehydrate and compact into a hard, immobile mass and block the digestive tract of the bunny. The bunny will feel full and stop eating and drinking, setting off a domino effect. Without food and water the digestive system slows down even more, decreasing the bunny's appetite, which makes the stomach contents more dehydrated and impacted.

    Stress and Gastrointestinal Stasis

    • Digestive problems are often triggered or get worse because of stress. Stress can have a number of reasons, including systemic disease, local infection, poor diet, physical pain, change of territory, loss of a mate or separation from the owner.

    Causes

    • The most common cause of digestive problems in bunnies is an inappropriate diet. Commercial alfalfa pellets were originally developed to rapidly increase mass in rabbits bred for meat, but do not provide enough nutrients for a healthy diet. Fresh grass hay and leafy greens have high moisture and fiber content that help in digestion and are critical to a bunny's fitness.

      Another cause can be lack of exercise. Rabbits confined to a cage usually do not run and jump enough to keep fit, which is vital for their digestion.

    Symptoms

    • Common signs of gastrointestinal stasis are significantly reduced appetite for over 24 hours, smaller or no droppings, refusing pellets but eating paper or cardboard (to get the fiber they need), soft, pudding-like stools followed by a complete loss of appetite, and becoming lethargic or depressed. It is possible for a bunny to be bright and alert for a week or longer even after it stopped eating normally.

    Treatment

    • Take the bunny to a veterinarian as soon as possible if you suspect gastrointestinal stasis- proper diagnosis and treatment may save its life. Re-hydration is one of the most important things for this condition. Oral re-hydration may be enough in mild cases, but in serious ones it might be necessary to inject the fluids. A veterinarian could prescribe medication to stimulate the stomach, relieve the pain and speed the healing process. Antibiotics are generally not recommended since they do not improve the condition and may cause an ulcer in an impacted stomach.

    Prevention

    • Preventing gastrointestinal stasis is not difficult and can save you and your bunny time and pain. The best prevention is a healthy diet, plenty of exercise and a clean and calm environment. Pay attention to the bunny's eating habits and behavior and consult a veterinarian if anything seems wrong.