Medically reviewed by Dr. Pritesh Vidhate, BVSc & AH, MVSc (Veterinary Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine).
GI stasis — when a rabbit's digestive tract slows or stops moving — is a true emergency and one of the most common reasons rabbits need urgent veterinary care.
What Causes It
Low fiber diets, dehydration, stress, pain, dental disease, or an underlying illness can all trigger stasis by disrupting normal gut motility.
Symptoms
Reduced or absent droppings, loss of appetite, lethargy, a hunched posture, and teeth grinding from pain are common signs.
Why It's Urgent
Once the gut stops moving, gas and bacteria can build up quickly, worsening the rabbit's condition — this needs same-day veterinary intervention, not home monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can stasis resolve on its own?
It's unsafe to assume so — treat any suspected stasis as an emergency.
Is high-fiber diet a prevention strategy?
Yes, a hay-based, high-fiber diet significantly reduces stasis risk.
What does treatment involve?
Depending on severity, this may include fluids, pain management, and motility support under veterinary care.
Call Shivraj Pet Clinic & Lab at 077569 65169 or book an appointment online — we serve pet parents across Pimple Nilakh, Wakad, Pimple Saudagar, and Vishal Nagar, with same-visit lab results and full diagnostic support under one roof.
