Companion Animals

Rabbit Gut Stasis: Emergency Welfare

Gut stasis (ileus) is a life-threatening emergency in rabbits that causes severe pain and can be fatal within hours without treatment.

Key Facts

Gut stasis occurs when the gastrointestinal tract slows or stops, causing gas accumulation and bacterial dysbiosis
Pain and discomfort cause rabbits to stop eating, creating a cycle of worsening stasis
Common triggers include stress, low fibre diet, dehydration, and pain from other conditions
Treatment requires urgent veterinary attention including analgesia, gut motility drugs, and supportive care

Welfare Considerations

Gut stasis causes severe abdominal pain and deteriorates rapidly without prompt veterinary intervention. Owner recognition of early signs - reduced appetite, decreased faecal output, reluctance to move - is essential for timely treatment. Prevention through appropriate high-fibre diet and stress reduction is more effective than treatment.

What You Can Do

Learn to recognise early signs of gut stasis including reduced appetite and faecal output
Seek emergency veterinary care immediately if you suspect gut stasis in your rabbit
Provide a high-fibre diet based on unlimited hay to maintain gut motility