Why isn't my rabbit pooping but still eating? Is it a fur blockage?

Hello. It sounds like your rabbit may have signs of gastrointestinal stasis, which means the GI tract has slowed down, usually as a result of a rabbit that stops eating. Rabbits will stop eating for a number of reasons - their teeth may be overgrown, their tooth roots may be infected, they could also have any other systemic disease (respiratory, urinary, infection, etc). As you can see, the causes are many and its impossible to say what is the underlying cause for sure without an exam and testing (usually radiographs, blood work, etc). Regardless of the cause, GI stasis is potentially fatal if left untreated. Therefore, I would urge you to get veterinary care ASAP. In the meantime, syringe feed Hobie with a liquid hay diet, ideally Oxbow herbivore critical care if you can get some, or soak the hay pellets in warm water to make a slurry. The best thing to keep the GI tract healthy is fiber and hydration, so hay is the foundation of health. I see in the first picture a pellet mix with maybe some oats, corn, and/or seeds mixed with the pellets. This is not an appropriate diet for rabbits as they are selective feeders and usually pick out the concentrates. These pellet mixes significantly increase the incidence of dental disease and obesity. I recommend a 100% timothy hay pellet, ideally Oxbow brand. Feed 1/4 cup timothy hay pellets, free choice grass hay, and 2 cups fresh greens a day with fresh water available in a bowl and sipper.

Based on what you are describing him I would be concerned about gastric stasis in your rabbit. This can be a common condition that occurs when a bunny stops eating. The stomach will fill with a lot of gas and the rabbit will be very painful and uncomfortable. If you are able to continue giving the critical care supplement I would recommend doing that. If Pepper stops eating that, continues to seem lethargic, or stops pooping, then you will need to take him into the vet to be examined because other medications will be needed to help restore GI motility. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am sorry that your little rabbit isn't feeling well. I agree it sounds like it might be GI stasis or a blockage and this is very serious. If there are any 24 hour vets you can go to then I would go right away. Otherwise, you can dilute the critical care with water as it says on the package, and feed it every 2 hours. You can try adding a bit of pineapple juice as well. If the abdomen isn't bloated you can try gentle massage of the abdomen, but only if your little rabbit doesn't seem sore. Best of luck with your little one, and get it to a vet as soon as possible!

It sounds to me like Monty may be experiencing the beginnings of some gastric stasis. This means that his stomach and / or the rest of the GI tract is not moving things along as it normally should. Without treatment, this condition can definitely become very problematic. Rabbits, much like horses, have very sensitive GI tracts that are very susceptible to even the smallest disturbances. It's hard to say precisely why the stasis is occurring, but I think Monty should have a physical exam performed to see if anything obvious can be determined. Options for the vet are going to be between simply treating the symptoms to see if things resolve on their own, or performing some diagnostic testing including imaging and blood work. Medications that would be useful in these instances include anti inflammatories / pain medication (as stasis tends to be very uncomfortable) and potentially drugs that help the GI tract continue to contract. Hope this helps.

A rabbit that is not eating is a potential veterinary emergency. Gut stasis can develop if he doesn't start eating soon. Have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating rabbits to diagnose illness or injury. Causes include dental disease, pain, stress, hairballs, GI obstruction, fecal impaction or a poor diet. Offer as much timothy hay or similar grasses as Keo wants to eat. The high fiber keeps his system moving. You can purchase a supplemental diet from Oxbow specifically for herbivores at your veterinary clinic or pet store. This special diet may stimulate his appetite.

Poor Fluffy ! Yes, he needs to see a vet, I would not worry if they are not exotics specialist, all small animal vets are quite familiar with these GI problems in rabbits so I would phone and make an appointment to have Fluffy checked over ASAP. Being young makes him more vulnerable so whilst it is a good sign that Fluffy is eating, the abscence of feaces is a concern that needs immediate attention. Hope he gets better soon !

There appears to be a lot of stool in the colon. I don't see any severe pathology though. I would recommend a few things: 1. STOP the Amoxcillin. I hate going against what another veterinarian has presbribed but Amoxicillin is not a good antibiotic for rabbits. It can be dangerous because of the likelihood of it negatively effect the GI Tract. I don't see any indication that an antibiotic is needed in your rabbit based on what you have stated in the history. 2. Continue the Cisapride and Eloxyn (if you still have some). The cisapride will help get the GI tract moving. He needs to stay on this drug until the motility of the GI tract is back to normal. 3. Keep feeding the Critical Care on top of the regular diet. Here is an article on GI stasis in rabbits that may help you. http://myhouserabbit.com/rabbit-health/gi-stasis-in-rabbits-a-deadly-condition/ They often take weeks to return to normal after being diagnosed with stasis. I hope this helps. Best wishes and I hope Juno gets back to normal soon!