Gastrointestinal stasis is the leading cause of rabbit death and is frequently missed until it is too late for effective treatment.
GI stasis kills rabbits because owners do not recognize the warning signs until the rabbit is in critical condition. Unlike dogs and cats, rabbits cannot vomit and cannot pass a blocked gut naturally. The pain of gas distension is severe, and affected rabbits show the "hunched loaf" position, teeth grinding, and reluctance to move. By the time anorexia is obvious, the condition may have been developing for hours. Owner education about the critical importance of monitoring daily fecal output and food intake is the most impactful intervention available for reducing rabbit mortality from this preventable emergency.