Wednesday, January 04, 2006
GI Stasis
I am not a veterinarian. Please consult your veterinarian before treating rabbits. I am only sharing my views as a breeder and rabbitry manager.
There is a wonderful article on GI Stasis by Dana M Kremples called GI Stasis: The Silent Killer. I read the article several months ago and have made changes in my barn because of it, after trying out several of the many suggestions in the article.
Infant Gas Drops (simethicone)- I keep generic infant gas drops on hand in the barn now. According to the article, the drops are pretty inert, staying in the GI tract and not spreading to the rabbit's other systems. It helps physically break up gas bubbles and reduce pain for a rabbit suffering from a gastrointestinal distress. I do not want my rabbit to give up eating because of gas pain.
Stethoscope - For about $10, you can purchase a stethoscope at your local pharmacy. Use it to listen to several healthy rabbits' gut sounds. The sounds are low and frequent. Then use it on a rabbit that is ill. You may hear nothing, meaning that the gut has stopped working. Or you may hear loud and frequent sounds. Either extreme indicates a problem. But it's only by comparing between a healthy population and your sick animal that you will hear the differences clearly.
Pedialyte (electrolyte solution) - I use unflavored Pedialyte or the generic equivalent. In the pedialyte, I may dissolve feed pellets and vegetable baby food or canned pumpkin, as recommended in the article. I was able to feed a very sick rabbit by syringe for almost a week before she died. Later, I found that the pellets themselves were the source of her problem. But I was amazed that I was able to keep her alive so long with this method of feeding. I believe that, had it not been that the pellets were the problem in the first place, she might have had a chance to recover.
Syringes - I keep syringes of various sizes available in the rabbitry. I use larger ones to administer lactated ringer's, medium sized ones for feedings (always point the syringe sideways toward the cheek and never toward the throat), and smaller ones for Pen B, often sold under the name Combi Pen (3 cc).
Lactated Ringer's ("IV fluids")- I keep lactated ringer's in the fridge all of the time. You should talk with your vet well before you have problems (rabbits always get sick when the vet office is closed, don't they?). Most likely, you will need to have a relationship with your vet so that he or she is comfortable with your skill and knowledge level before you would be sold Lactated Ringer's. I administer it subcutaneously under the skin on the back of the neck/shoulder area.
Fresh Herbs (parsley, raspberry leaves, tarragon, thyme, etc.) - I almost always have fresh herbs in my garden, unless the weather is totally frozen. Since many GI problems occur in the spring and fall, I'm usually prepared. I have a number of raspberry plants that yield plenty of extra leaves. The rabbits usually like the young, tender leaves the most. I do plan to plant more parsley this year. It's the only biennial herb I grow, so it's the one I have to remember to replant.
There are still a few items I have not collected, but still plan to:
Thermometer - a plastic rectal thermometer can be used to see if the rabbit has an elevated or depressed temperature.
Papain and Bromelain - I've heard various accounts about whether the papain tables from a health food store are actually active enough to do any good. But papain comes from papaya and bromelain comes from fresh pineapple. Since I'm not likely to keep either of those on hand at all times, I think I will try the powered or tablet forms. The benefit of the refined forms is that they are not packed with sugar, as the natural forms are. And sugar could exacerbate problems with a hind gut that is already out of balance.
Electric Massager - I think a massager that fits on the back of the hand would be the best type for rabbits. My rabbits are often afraid of strange things as it is, but the comfort of my hand might be acceptable to them. Of course, once they feel the relief from pain, they may be willing to be massaged by most anything! I am looking for one that will provide a mild massage quietly.
Several cliches and sayings come to mind about now. An ounce of prevention . . . is one of them. Even if you get bogged down in all of the medical jargon of the article, be sure to read the section on prevention; it is near the end.
"Be prepared." That's the next step. Be sure to have supplies on hand to deal with gastrointestinal distress.
Doing your homework ahead of time and having what you need on hand will allow you to better evaluate your rabbit, make a plan, and provide care to your bunny.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 11:59 AM
There is a wonderful article on GI Stasis by Dana M Kremples called GI Stasis: The Silent Killer. I read the article several months ago and have made changes in my barn because of it, after trying out several of the many suggestions in the article.
Infant Gas Drops (simethicone)- I keep generic infant gas drops on hand in the barn now. According to the article, the drops are pretty inert, staying in the GI tract and not spreading to the rabbit's other systems. It helps physically break up gas bubbles and reduce pain for a rabbit suffering from a gastrointestinal distress. I do not want my rabbit to give up eating because of gas pain.
Stethoscope - For about $10, you can purchase a stethoscope at your local pharmacy. Use it to listen to several healthy rabbits' gut sounds. The sounds are low and frequent. Then use it on a rabbit that is ill. You may hear nothing, meaning that the gut has stopped working. Or you may hear loud and frequent sounds. Either extreme indicates a problem. But it's only by comparing between a healthy population and your sick animal that you will hear the differences clearly.
Pedialyte (electrolyte solution) - I use unflavored Pedialyte or the generic equivalent. In the pedialyte, I may dissolve feed pellets and vegetable baby food or canned pumpkin, as recommended in the article. I was able to feed a very sick rabbit by syringe for almost a week before she died. Later, I found that the pellets themselves were the source of her problem. But I was amazed that I was able to keep her alive so long with this method of feeding. I believe that, had it not been that the pellets were the problem in the first place, she might have had a chance to recover.
Syringes - I keep syringes of various sizes available in the rabbitry. I use larger ones to administer lactated ringer's, medium sized ones for feedings (always point the syringe sideways toward the cheek and never toward the throat), and smaller ones for Pen B, often sold under the name Combi Pen (3 cc).
Lactated Ringer's ("IV fluids")- I keep lactated ringer's in the fridge all of the time. You should talk with your vet well before you have problems (rabbits always get sick when the vet office is closed, don't they?). Most likely, you will need to have a relationship with your vet so that he or she is comfortable with your skill and knowledge level before you would be sold Lactated Ringer's. I administer it subcutaneously under the skin on the back of the neck/shoulder area.
Fresh Herbs (parsley, raspberry leaves, tarragon, thyme, etc.) - I almost always have fresh herbs in my garden, unless the weather is totally frozen. Since many GI problems occur in the spring and fall, I'm usually prepared. I have a number of raspberry plants that yield plenty of extra leaves. The rabbits usually like the young, tender leaves the most. I do plan to plant more parsley this year. It's the only biennial herb I grow, so it's the one I have to remember to replant.
There are still a few items I have not collected, but still plan to:
Thermometer - a plastic rectal thermometer can be used to see if the rabbit has an elevated or depressed temperature.
Papain and Bromelain - I've heard various accounts about whether the papain tables from a health food store are actually active enough to do any good. But papain comes from papaya and bromelain comes from fresh pineapple. Since I'm not likely to keep either of those on hand at all times, I think I will try the powered or tablet forms. The benefit of the refined forms is that they are not packed with sugar, as the natural forms are. And sugar could exacerbate problems with a hind gut that is already out of balance.
Electric Massager - I think a massager that fits on the back of the hand would be the best type for rabbits. My rabbits are often afraid of strange things as it is, but the comfort of my hand might be acceptable to them. Of course, once they feel the relief from pain, they may be willing to be massaged by most anything! I am looking for one that will provide a mild massage quietly.
Several cliches and sayings come to mind about now. An ounce of prevention . . . is one of them. Even if you get bogged down in all of the medical jargon of the article, be sure to read the section on prevention; it is near the end.
"Be prepared." That's the next step. Be sure to have supplies on hand to deal with gastrointestinal distress.
Doing your homework ahead of time and having what you need on hand will allow you to better evaluate your rabbit, make a plan, and provide care to your bunny.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 11:59 AM
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Hi there,
Your website has been a wonderful source of info for me over the past few days.. My wee bunny died last Thursday, and I had no idea why, I fed her in the morning, had class all day went to her later on in the night, and noticed she wasnt herself.
Only I didn't realise how far along or how fast bunnies go down.
I was absolutely devastated, cried all day and felt like I really failed her, because I didnt know what to do to help. All I could do was hold her and tell her she was ok, that the doctor would see her in the morning. But it was the middle of the night and I found her the next morning.
This haunts me. I feel like even though I gave her the best food and the best loving care, she was my wee baby, and I failed her completely. She was only 9mths old, but I can say she had the best life. I have nearly cried all my tears now, but still wish she was here.
Your info has helped me see what could have been wrong and prevent this from happening again when I feel the time is right for a new bunny.
Thank You.
Jodie
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Your website has been a wonderful source of info for me over the past few days.. My wee bunny died last Thursday, and I had no idea why, I fed her in the morning, had class all day went to her later on in the night, and noticed she wasnt herself.
Only I didn't realise how far along or how fast bunnies go down.
I was absolutely devastated, cried all day and felt like I really failed her, because I didnt know what to do to help. All I could do was hold her and tell her she was ok, that the doctor would see her in the morning. But it was the middle of the night and I found her the next morning.
This haunts me. I feel like even though I gave her the best food and the best loving care, she was my wee baby, and I failed her completely. She was only 9mths old, but I can say she had the best life. I have nearly cried all my tears now, but still wish she was here.
Your info has helped me see what could have been wrong and prevent this from happening again when I feel the time is right for a new bunny.
Thank You.
Jodie
# posted by 
: 8:12 AM
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