Basics

Question 1

Common rabbit emergencies

Answer 1

Low BT (< 99), moribund
- Typically acutely sick r/o liver torsion, GIT obstruction (both surgical ER)
Anorexia but QAR/BAR/ normal T
- Could be anything dental disease, uterine disease (intact), cardiac, liver, renal disease, orthopedic pain …
GI stasis
- Sick rabbit don’t eat and the GIT stops moving
- Poor diet lead to stasis
- treat with supportive care
Respiratory difficulties
- Upper vs lower
- O2, midazolam, CXR mask iso
Reproductive disorders
- Enlarged uterus in intact older female r/o thoracic mets
- enlagred mammary glands
- Pyometra; rare
Orthopedic
- Fracture, common. (bandage, cage rest, analgesic)
- Spondylosis, common in older rabbit, NSAID

Question 2

Medications that should never be use in rabbit

Answer 2

Steroid can kill
- Cause fatal immunosuppression nd should only be used for cancer treatment

Antibiotic can be fatal, dysbiosis (overgrowth of clostridium spiroforme) - PLACE
- Oral beta lactam antibiotic can lead to fatal dysbiosis
- Convenia is not long lasting and can lead to dysbiosis
- Clindamycin, lincomycin can lead to fatal dysbiosis

Fipronil can cause seizure and can be fatal

Question 3

Diet

Answer 3

Strict herbivore
Monogastic
Hindgut fermenter
High fiber diet - 20-25% fiber
Hay, greens, pellets

Question 4

Restraint technique rabbit

Answer 4

Can be very nervous
Support back legs
Spinal injuries are common
Towel wrap

Question 5

Venipuncture in rabbit

Answer 5

Blood volume is 6-8% of body weight in KG
Remove 6-10% of blood volume

Jugular vein: Large volume, dewlap, jugular furrow, typically superficial. Hold on table edge, forefeet pulled down, head held upwards. Stressful site (respiratory arrest, monitoring) 25G, 1-3 CC

Cephalic vein: 25G, 1cc insulin syringe small volume, IVC, sternal recumbency, wet the fur , hold on near elbow

Lateral saphenous vein: Place rabbit laterally, pluck the fur (do nt shave), grasp the scruff, cover eyes. Hold off proximal thigh, 25G 1 CC. Hematoma possible

Marginal ear vein
- Pinna necrosis

Question 6

IVC placement vs IO catheter in Rabbits

Answer 6

Cephalic vein
Lateral saphenous vein
Jugular vein
22, 24 or 26 G

Anesthesia, stressful, minimal amount of tape

if venous is not possible IO catheter using spinal needle in tibia or femur

Question 7

Fluid administration in rabbits

Answer 7

Maintenance rate 50-70 mL/kg/day but 100 mL/kg/day is possible
Balanced salt solution
added dextrose

SC (over the dorsum and along the side), IV, IO

Question 8

Drug therapy in Rabbits

Answer 8

Difficult to pill
Hide pill in jelly or jam
Oral suspension
Proper restraint for treatment
Carful with antibiotics