For veterinarians
October 2026
Gastrointestinal stasis is a syndrome, not a diagnosis. A rabbit that has stopped eating or is producing few or no fecal pellets needs a reason: pain, dental disease, dehydration, diet change, obstruction, or another primary illness. Obstruction and uncomplicated stasis can look similar in the first hours, and they are not managed the same way.
Before transfer, a brief note with the timeline, last meal, fecal output, and any recent diet or husbandry change is more useful than a long record. Current weight, temperature if it was taken without a struggle, and any drugs already given (especially opioids, prokinetics, and fluids) should be included. Radiographs, if they were made, can be sent with the patient. Please do not delay transfer to complete a full workup if the rabbit is painful, bloated, or shocky.
At Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital the evaluation usually includes a hands-on exam, hydration assessment, and imaging when it will change the plan. Care may include fluids, analgesia, assisted feeding, and treatment of the underlying problem. Surgery, including removal of an obstruction, is considered when the findings support a blockage that will not resolve with medical care.
Call the clinic at (615) 361-4646 before sending the patient so the team knows what is coming. After-hours exotic companion mammal consults go through Veterinary Emergency Group in Franklin, Murfreesboro, or West Nashville.