Paralytic ileus is a common digestive disease in rabbits. Also known as gastrointestinal stasis, it manifests with a decrease in bowel peristalsis, that is, paralysis of bowel movements.
One of its causes may be due to the presence of a foreign object (cloth, plastic, hair, etc.) that has become stuck. Another, when the animal stops eating due to stress or when it is fed an inadequate diet, which makes it difficult for the digestion process to be carried out correctly.
Symptoms of paralytic ileus
If a rabbit is suffering from paralytic ileus, it can manifest in several ways:
- Reduction or loss of appetite.
- Decrease in stool secretion.
- Decayed behavior.
- Impossibility to walk.
- Abdominal pain.
- Grinding teeth or bruxism to express pain.
- Strong breathing
The veterinarian must be taken to the veterinarian to diagnose accurately, through X-rays and measuring the level of glucose in the blood, if the intestines are clogged or is another cause of the pathology.
Treatment of paralytic ileus in rabbits
To improve the intestinal health of the rabbit, the treatment consists in the ingestion of analgesics to calm the pain, as well as the application of fluid therapy, in order to balance the volumes of internal fluids.
Touch stimulation is a practice that is done to the animal and consists of a series of constant massages to stimulate the stool evacuation process.
In the most severe cases, where the obstruction is persistent after having performed the treatments recommended by the veterinarian, the surgical intervention of the rabbit is the only treatment to end his ailment.
Antibiotics such as enrofloxacin, sulfonamides and metronidazole are the most recommended by specialists. With the supply of them, the propagation of secondary bacteria to the intestinal stasis picture is avoided.
This pathology favors the appearance of gastric ulcers and one way to avoid it is by providing gastric protectors such as ranitidine 3-5 mg / kg, sucralfate 25 mg / kg or cimetidine 5-10 mg / kg.
If an obstruction is ruled out, it is viable to stimulate intestinal mobility with drugs such as prokinetics.
Adequate diet to attack the paralytic ileus at the roots
It is important to keep the rabbit hydrated and with a balanced diet, rich in essential fibers, for the optimal functioning of your body. Hay is essential since it must mean 80% of the diet. The rest is complemented with fresh vegetables and controlled portions of always raw fruits.
This food is very important because its lack is causing diseases such as paralytic ileus or degeneration of the teeth. It constitutes the main source of fibers to maintain the health of rabbits in optimal conditions.
In the case of processed foods, we must take special care that they do not become their usual diet. That is, dog and cat foods are not recommended because they are high in carbohydrates and harmful components, such as preservatives and chemicals, that affect the balance of nutrients.
Keep in mind that nuts, legumes and cereals, iceberg lettuce, cauliflower, meat, dairy, and fruit in syrup are harmful to your health.
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