Contributor: Peter Fisher, DVM

Peter Fisher, DVM

Dr. Peter Fisher founded Pet Care Veterinary Hospital in Virginia Beach, Virginia in 1984. Dr. Fisher started his practice with the help of one receptionist and one assistant, and his hospital grew to become a 5-doctor, 25-employee facility. Dr. Fisher was an active author and lecturer on exotic animal health. He was named the 2004 Exotic DVM of the Year, and he served as the President of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians from 2003-2004. Dr. Fisher retired in 2021.  

Article 

Gastrointestinal Problems in Rabbits

Gastrointestinal problems are common in the pet rabbit. A thorough history, including a detailed dietary history, can provide invaluable clues to the problem at hand. Signs of gastrointestinal discomfort in the rabbit may include bruxism, reluctance to move, and anorexia. If there is a history of anorexia, it is imperative to differentiate whether the rabbit is not eating because it has no interest in food, or if it is showing an interest in food but unable to eat. A complete lack of appetite is most commonly seen with physiological problems such as renal failure, whereas a reluctance to eat is a classic presentation in rabbits with dental disease.