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Digestive problems in rabbits can be life threatening. As soon as you suspect a digestive problem in your rabbit, take him to your veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian will first perform a physical exam of your rabbit. They will then conduct diagnostic tests, depending on what they suspect is causing the digestive problem.  If your rabbit has diarrhea, your veterinarian will test the feces to identify the specific organism (e.g., Clostridium).  Your veterinarian will take x-rays and/or perform an abdominal ultrasound if they suspect GI stasis or GI obstruction. A GI obstruction can be a life-threatening situation requiring emergency treatment. Being able to visualize your rabbit’s belly will help your veterinarian diagnose and treat your rabbit effectively. Treating digestive problems in rabbits typically involves several general treatment strategies, including rehydration, restoring gut movement, and pain control. These treatments are best performed by a veterinarian, at least until the rabbit is well enough for at-home care. Treatment options will vary slightly, depending on the specific digestive problem. Dehydration can cause digestive problems in rabbits, and be a symptom of these problems. To rehydrate your rabbit, your veterinarian will give him fluids. How your veterinarian administers the fluids (e.g., by mouth, under the skin, directly into a vein) will depend on several factors, such as your rabbit’s ability to drink on his own and the severity of the dehydration. Rehydrating your rabbit will put more fluid in his digestive system, which will soften digestive contents and allow them to pass through the system more easily. If your rabbit’s digestive system isn’t moving food through very quickly, or at all, it will need some help getting back to normal. In addition to fluid therapy, your veterinarian may administer medications called prokinetics to encourage the gut to get moving again.  Prokinetics are helpful in treating GI stasis, as well as diarrhea caused by overuse of antibiotics.  If your rabbit has an obstruction, he should not receive a prokinetic.  Prokinetics may take several weeks to restore your rabbit’s normal gut motility. Gas buildup (due to GI obstruction or GI stasis) and diarrhea can be very painful for your rabbit. If the pain is severe, your veterinarian will administer pain medication to get the pain under control as quickly as possible. When your rabbit is well enough to go home, your veterinarian may prescribe a pain medication for at-home care. A bad diet (low in indigestible fiber, high in sugar and carbohydrates) is a common cause of digestive problems in rabbits. Your veterinarian will first see if your rabbit can eat a healthy diet on his own. If he cannot, or will not, your veterinarian may try feeding him a high-fiber gruel, such as Oxbow Critical Care, through a syringe.
Take your rabbit to your veterinarian. Discuss treatment options with your veterinarian. Correct your rabbit’s dehydration. Use medication to stimulate gut movement. Relieve your rabbit’s abdominal pain. Encourage your rabbit to eat.