Last night was hell. We thought Chompsky had
stasis. He wouldn't eat, which meant we couldn't sleep.
GI Stasis (or colic in horses) is the most common affliction and cause of death in rabbits.
We know he's going to leave us one day. Please not today.Their digestive systems are fragile and any disruption can be serious. If you, your dog, or your cat have something upsetting your stomach, you can vomit it up and eliminate the problem. Rabbits and horses are unable to do this. Also unlike dogs, cats, and humans, rabbit digestive systems are constantly in motion. A healthy rabbit is constantly grazing and pooping. In stasis, the digestive system has stopped and everything begins backing up.
GI Stasis is caused by a myriad of things or even nothing at all. Fur ingested during a shed; stress over travel, temperature, or a fright; eating too quickly; a simple gas bubble; or just life can cause stasis. It is impossible to predict or prevent, but if caught quickly is usually treatable.
Advice is to keep them moving, which is the last thing they want to do. How would you like it if you felt like hell and someone kept prodding you to get you to do laps in between belly massages? Either luck, or that, finally worked when he miraculously took his first bite of hay in what felt like an eternity and started scampering around on his own recognizance.
I am a few years older this morning.
Spoke to the vet, who agreed with my professional opinion that it's likely his age (9) is to blame for a less than optimally functioning gut. Plus I'm sure cardboard and other non-food doesn't help, and what may have whistled right through before may be more of an issue now.
It would have lowered our stress levels to contact her or one of her colleagues last night, but unfortunately the practice no longer offers out-of-hours emergency service, as it's difficult replenishing their supply of vets with those willing to be night owls. Everyone seems to be turning to Vets-Now, who charge £345 for a visit. "Do you have insurance?" was one of the first questions they asked. It's not so much the money (though that's a real sting, because no we don't), it's that we weren't sure if we'd be wasting our time with someone not rabbit-savvy, and compounding Chompsky's stress, which would have further compromised his health.
Picked up some meds. She suggested I not tell the pharmacist that last one is for a bunny.