GI Stasis (Ileus) in Rabbits

Pocket Pet · Oryctolagus cuniculus · typical adult weight 1.00–5.00 kg

7 cited drugs treat GI Stasis (Ileus) in rabbits: Cisapride, Cisapride Compounded Oral, Maropitant Exotic, Meloxicam, Metoclopramide, Prucalopride, Ranitidine.

Decreased GI motility — a clinical emergency in rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and equines. Management combines prokinetics, analgesia, hydration, and species-appropriate fibre intake. Untreated GI stasis is rapidly fatal in obligate hindgut fermenters.

The overview above describes GI Stasis (Ileus) across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to rabbits — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.

Cisapride(Propulsid)

Gastrointestinal

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	0.5–1 mg/kg	q8-12h	Until GI motility returns	GI stasis	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
PO	0.5–1 mg/kg	q8-12h	Until motility restored	GI stasis (prokinetic)	Strong	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Cisapride dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

Cisapride Compounded Oral(Propulsid Compounded)

Miscellaneous

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	0.5–1 mg/kg	q8-12h	During GI stasis episode; continue 3-5 days after normal appetite resumes	GI stasis	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Cisapride Compounded Oral dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

Maropitant Exotic(Cerenia)

Gastrointestinal

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	2 mg/kg	q24h	3-5 days	Nausea, GI stasis	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
SC	1–2 mg/kg	q24h	3-5 days	Nausea, GI stasis (off-label)	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Maropitant Exotic dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

Meloxicam(Metacam)

Analgesic

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	0.3–1 mg/kg	q24h	As needed	Dental pain and GI stasis secondary to pain	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Meloxicam dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

Metoclopramide(Reglan)

Gastrointestinal

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
IV	0.01–0.02 mg/kg	per hour (CRI)	Until GI motility returns	Severe GI stasis (CRI)	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
PO	0.5–1 mg/kg	q6-8h	Until GI motility returns	GI stasis, gastroparesis	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
SC	0.5–1 mg/kg	q8-12h	Until motility restored	GI stasis (prokinetic)	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
SC	0.5–1 mg/kg	q6-8h	Until GI motility returns	GI stasis	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Metoclopramide dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

Prucalopride(Motegrity, Resolor)

Gastrointestinal

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	0.1–0.3 mg/kg	q12-24h	Until motility restored	GI stasis	Extrapolated	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Prucalopride dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

Ranitidine(Zantac)

Gastrointestinal

Route	Dose	Frequency	Duration	Indication	Evidence	Source
PO	2–5 mg/kg	q12h	Until resolved	GI stasis (prokinetic + acid reduction)	Moderate	Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed

Full Ranitidine dosing in Rabbits →Calculate for this rabbit →

All drugs cited for GI Stasis (Ileus) →All drugs for Rabbits →

Other conditions in Rabbits

Coccidiosis Sedation General Anesthesia Bacterial Infections Respiratory Infections Pain Management GI Ulceration Dermatophytosis (Ringworm)

Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice. Verify against current literature before clinical use.