Approach to an Inappetant Rabbit; Rethinking "Gut Stasis"

Inappetence is one of the most common presenting complaints in rabbits. There are many possible causes and as our understanding of rabbit medicine improves, the list of causes grows! “Gut stasis” is a term used to describe a reduced or absent appetite and defecation as a result of gastrointestinal hypomotility. As rabbit physiology is not designed for prolonged fasting, this needs to be addressed and reversed. When presented with an inappetent rabbit, it is important to determine and address the underlying cause of inappetence while managing the gastrointestinal tract. This lecture aims to provide an overview of inappetence in rabbits, followed by case studies.