GI Stasis In Older Rabbits

[Cutelittlebun]

In the last several weeks, my bunny (who is an 8 year old mini rex / netherland dwarf mix) was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection and put on Metacam and Baytril for that.  She has lost weight, and also was not all too interested in her food, so I brought her back to the vet where she had blood drawn and an x-ray taken.  

The vet said her food was staying in her belly and not being absorbed, therefore she wasn’t getting the nutrients and was losing weight.  Yesterday, after she took her new medication for gas and digestion, she voluntarily ate more hay than I’ve seen her eat in the last few weeks.  I’m encouraged by this because it seems to me that her stomach might be feeling better and she has her appetite again.  My paws are crossed that she continues to show greater interest in her hay each day.  Tonight I am going to see if she has more interest in her Critical Care too.

Of course, I am keeping her as happy, fed, contented, and loved as possible during this time that she is going through.  Do you have any additional tips for keeping an older bunny comfy through a time that they are sick?  I thought it wouldn’t hurt to come here and ask the experts

[RabbitPam]

Hi, I’ve been remembering recently my last year with Spockie, who was an older bunny with health issues before he passed. Mostly I noticed his great capacity for accepting his new limitations and working with them. He really enjoyed my keeping him company in the same room as he rested, dozed, or just slowly moved from one comfortable position to another. Some bunnies find music or tv soothing in the background. Some just like being peaceful with you around. All like gentle head pets, soothing talk from you, and listening to you talk to others in person or on the phone. Sometimes I would just carry him from room to room to look out the windows, feel snuggled and maybe smell some fresh air while being held securely. It’s just they feel your love, and it feels good to them.

[RabbitPam]

Oh, and be sure your litter pan is easy to get in and out of – consider a new one with lower sides or a low front entrance if she’s not using it as much. You can make sure she has her favorite soft things to sleep on. Be sure she can lay down comfortably to rest, but nothing she would be tempted to chew to make her tummy feel worse.

[jerseygirl]

I’d love to see a picture if her, she sounds like an adorable mix.
Sending her some {{{healing vibes}}}.

You could try her on alfalfa hay or an alfalfa based pellet. Though pellets for stasis prone rabbits can be problematic.

So she is off metacam now? Metacam can suppress the appetite so I’m curious to know if she began to eat more if metacam was stopped.

When do you expect results from the blood test? Also, what were the X-rays taken of? Just the chest?

[LittlePuffyTail]

I hope your bunny is feeling better soon.

I don’t have much experience with older bunnies. At this age, a lot of buns get arthritis so I ditto everything Pam said. Make sure everything is easy-access in her condo and that she has lots of comfy bedding.

[Cutelittlebun]

Thanks for the great tips, all! (Sorry, I didn’t hit “follow”, so didn’t receive any notifications once you responded to my original post). 

Pam, I love your suggestions about keeping her soothed with music.  She loves to lean against my hands or my leg, and just rest for a bit like that, until she finds a more comfy position

The x-ray showed that her gut had unprocessed food in it (not good!) which is why he started her on stomach meds.  The bloodwork shows anemic levels, but I’m hoping that when she starts to absorb more food, it will help with her blood levels.  The vet said she was a great patient during the x-ray and bloodwork, didn’t struggle or anything… She probably knew they were trying to help her and not hurt her

She is still on Metacam and Baytril, in addition to liquid gas-x and two other meds to move her digestion along.  She eats these all with ease (they are all liquid).

Thank you for your thought about arthritis and making sure she can get into and out of the litter box, I will keep my eye on that, but right now all is well in that department   From what I can see, in the last few days (since Saturday, when she started taking the additional drugs), she has not lost more weight, and she has re-gained her interest in food (and HAY!  she is finally eating more hay again!)

Here is a blog entry I did a few months ago about her (with photos): http://www.baxcatandco.com/1/post/2012/08/small-animal-care-vet-offices.html.  Sorry, I should really update my BinkyBunny profile with a photo!
I’m remaining cautiously optimistic, but to me right now, she looks to be feeling a least slightly better   My vet is going to call me today and I’ll give him the updates.

[Cutelittlebun]

That’s so nice Pam!  You did such nice things for Spockie   She hasn’t liked to be picked up lately, but maybe if she keeps feeling better I can adopt that routine of walking around the house.  Thank you for sharing this, it all sounds so soothing to a bunny friend who needs it most!

[jerseygirl]

She is so pretty! She definitely has more the mini Rex look. She’s an elegant bun.

Thanks for updating with the good news.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m glad to hear she has improved.

[Cutelittlebun]

Thanks for your additional support, all!

I spoke with the vet last night, and he said to keep on the path that we are on. I will bring Hazel to the vet’s office in a couple weeks so that he can take her weight. He was happy to hear about the mini-imporvements that my bunny has seen this week since starting the drugs for her belly. He also said that he would like to see a happy bunny who just happens to be on the skinny side, instead of an unhappy bunny of any weight.

Hopefully she gains back a little weight over the next two weeks by staying on this current food & medication routine. My paws are crossed for more positive progress

I also saw her licking her front paws & washing her face yesterday. All along, I have been keeping her paws, eyes, and backside as clean as possible since those are areas she stopped bothering with when she was feeling at her worst. Hopefully good progress is made in this activity, too!

Thank you for your support and feedback, it is greatly appreciated

[Author]

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