Gastrointestinal stasis is the most common life-threatening emergency in pet rabbits, and awareness of prevention and early signs can save lives.
Gastrointestinal stasis is a welfare emergency that rabbit owners must understand because rapid recognition and response can be life-saving. A rabbit that stops eating or producing droppings is experiencing a welfare crisis even if outwardly they appear only mildly unwell. The condition progresses rapidly: as the gut slows, gas accumulates causing painful distension, the rabbit becomes increasingly uncomfortable, stops eating entirely, and can die within 24-48 hours without intervention. The distress of an untreated stasis rabbit is severe - abdominal pain, nausea, and profound malaise. Prevention through provision of unlimited hay, appropriate fresh vegetables, and stress reduction is fundamental, but owners who recognize early signs and seek veterinary care promptly can give their rabbits the best chance of survival.