Bunny Bloat - Optimising Veterinary Care through Improved Understanding of Gastrointestinal stasis in Rabbits

BSAVA Editorial Team

Bunny Bloat or Gastrointestinal (GI) stasis is a common and potentially life-threatening syndrome in rabbits. Whilst many cases are managed successfully medically, there are often obstructive cases that will require surgery, and need to be dealt with appropriately and quickly.

Rabbits have a complex gastrointestinal tract, designed to make sure that they absorb the maximum nutrients from anything that they eat. A low-fibre diet, stress, or pain from an underlying illness are all significant causes of bloat.

In a lot of cases, blockages can be caused by a combination of food or hair, or small foreign items. Rabbits that have a blockage due to an obstruction will tend to be lethargic, not wanting to move or eat anything within a few hours and have abdominal distension.

John Chitty, BSAVA Alba speaker and RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Zoological Medicine said:

“The major tip is to look at each case as an individual and evaluate thoroughly, even where rabbits come in ‘regularly’ with bloat, they should still be evaluated. There are several tools required; a good history; clinical examination; blood tests and imaging. Where gut hypomotility is diagnosed, there may well be underlying causes and many of these may relate to pain and inflammation as stress and inflammatory mediators will affect gut motility. Therefore, there may be a need for a thorough diagnostic investigation post recovery to reduce recurrences.”

Additional recommended diagnostic methods include abdominal X-rays and blood tests. Blood glucose levels can indicate pain and disease progression, aiding the clinician in determining whether the case is medical or surgical. Low blood glucose is typically seen in rabbits with gastrointestinal stasis, while high blood glucose often suggests obstructions that may require surgery.

Treatments for GI stasis

The treatment plan includes pain relief, fluid therapy, and regular syringe feeding. Although surfactants are sometimes recommended, their effectiveness is uncertain due to the absence of frothy bloat and the rabbit's inability to burp. Identifying and addressing the underlying cause is crucial to prevent recurrence.

For complete obstructions, immediate surgical intervention is necessary. Preventative measures for obstructive issues include avoiding locust bean pods and corn cob foods, and regular grooming to prevent large fur mats. Gastrointestinal stasis is a complex condition, but maintaining a routine lifestyle and a high-fibre diet are essential preventive strategies.

If you want to gain practical insights and master the management of rabbit gastric dilatation, you can't afford to miss John Chitty's talk at the upcoming BSAVA Alba event.

Speaking about the lecture, John said:

“Why come to this session? If you see rabbits, you will see this presentation! It is frequently life threatening and always urgent and stressful. The session will give some of the tools to make dealing with these cases more successful and less stressful.”

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