GI Stasis (Ileus) in Rabbits
Pocket Pet · Oryctolagus cuniculus · typical adult weight 1.00–5.00 kg
6 cited drugs treat GI Stasis (Ileus) in rabbits: Cisapride, Cisapride Compounded Oral, Maropitant Exotic, Meloxicam, Metoclopramide, 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 | Weak | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th Ed, Part B - Exotic Pets, Cisapride monograph, printed p.78Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| PO | 0.5–1 mg/kg | q8-12h | Until motility restored | GI stasis (prokinetic) | Weak | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th ed., Part B: Exotic Pets, Cisapride monograph, printed p.78: 'Rabbits, Guinea pigs, Chinchillas: 0.1-1.0 mg/kg (typically 0.5 mg/kg) p.o. q8-12h'Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
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 | Weak | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th Ed, Part B - Exotic Pets, Cisapride monograph, printed p.78Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Maropitant Exotic(Cerenia)
Gastrointestinal| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 1 mg/kg | SC q24h x 3-5 d, then q48h or 3x/wk | 3-5 days | Nausea, GI stasis | Extrapolated | Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed, Table 10.4, Table 10.10, Table 10.18 (the served figure is printed in each; all lie in the chapter covering this species).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| SC | 1–2 mg/kg | q24h | 3-5 days | Nausea, GI stasis (off-label) | Extrapolated | Ozawa SM, Hawkins MG, Drazenovich TL, Kass PH and Knych HK (2019) Pharmacokinetics of maropitant citrate in New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). American Journal of Veterinary Research 80(10), 963-968. | Sadar MJ, McGee WK, Au GG, et al. Pilot pharmacokinetics of a higher dose of subcutaneous maropitant administration in healthy domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). J Exot Pet Med. [Carpenter ref 209a] | NOTE: Carpenter's ref 40 backing the 2 mg/kg q24h row resolves to "Chen S. Personal communication; 2016" - an unpublished personal communication, not a paper. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.25.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
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, Table 10.4 (Chemical Restraint/Sedative/Anesthetic/Analgesic Agents Used in Rabbits) and Table 10.18 (Treatments Used in the Management of Rabbit Gastrointestinal Syndrome) - 1 mg/kg PO q24h, supporting the 1.0 endpoint. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th ed, Part B - Exotic Pets, printed p.195: 'Rabbits: 0.3-0.6 mg/kg s.c., p.o. q12-24h', supporting the 0.3 endpoint. Corroborated: Carpenter et al. J Zoo Wildl Med 2009,40:601-606 doi:10.1638/2007-0115.1 (abstract), Delk et al. Am J Vet Res 2014,75:195-199 doi:10.2460/ajvr.75.2.195 (abstract). |
Metoclopramide(Reglan)
Gastrointestinal| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 0.01–0.02 mg/kg/h | per hour (CRI) | Until GI motility returns | Severe GI stasis (CRI) | Extrapolated | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.867, Metoclopramide monograph spanning p.867-869. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.19 (Rabbit Feeding Recommendations.35,223).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| PO | 0.5–1 mg/kg | q6-8h | Until GI motility returns | GI stasis, gastroparesis | Moderate | Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| SC | 0.5–1 mg/kg | q8-12h | Until motility restored | GI stasis (prokinetic) | Moderate | Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| SC | 0.5–1 mg/kg | q6-8h | Until GI motility returns | GI stasis | Moderate | Morissey JM, Carpenter JW. Appendix: Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Orcu[tt] CJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Ranitidine(Zantac)
Gastrointestinal| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 2–5 mg/kg | q12h | Until resolved | GI stasis (prokinetic + acid reduction) | Moderate | Oglesbee B, Lord B. Gastrointestinal diseases of rabbits. In: Quesenberry KE, Orcutt CJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:174-187. doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-48435-0.00014-9 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Rabbits). |
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.