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Rabbits Flashcards

1
Q

What is a common GI presentation/symptom in rabbits?

A

Gut stasis (symptom, not a diagnosis)

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2
Q

Is gut stasis painful? Can gut stasis be fatal in rabbits?

A

Yes - painful and can be fatal

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3
Q

What is the pathogenesis of gut stasis?

A

Caused by anorexia
Anorexia causes slowing down of gut motility
Reduction of faecal production
Deteriorating cycle until eating and defaecating stops

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4
Q

Is a rabbit with gut stasis a suitable candidate for anaesthesia?

A

No

Electrolytes not predictably absorbed/secreted - causes electrolyte derangements

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5
Q

How does gut stasis cause dehydration?

A

Interstitial fluid moves from tissues into gut

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6
Q

What are the symptoms/history of gut stasis?

A

Reduced/absent appetite
Reduced/absent faecal production
Lethargy

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7
Q

What is heard on abdominal auscultation in a rabbit with gut stasis?

A

Reduced gut sounds

May hear abnormally loud borborygmi

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8
Q

What can be felt on abdominal palpation of a rabbit with gut stasis? (more than 1 presentation)

A

‘Empty’ abdomen if guts not normally filled
OR dilated/fluid filled gut loops
OR impactions of viscera
May be painful

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9
Q

Is gut stasis a disease?

A

No - a symptom

Important to diagnose the cause as well as treating the gut stasis itself

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10
Q

How is gut stasis diagnosed?

A

History - reduced appetite and faecal production, lethargy
Gut auscultation - lack of gut sounds or loud borborygmi
Abdo palpation
Imaging, surgery

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11
Q

How is blood glucose linked to GI blockage in rabbits?

A

Elevated blood glucose causes suspicion of GI blockage

HOWEVER poor sensitivity/specifity - not all blocked show high glucose, and not all hyperglycaemic rabbits are blocked

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12
Q

What is the treatment for gut obstruction in rabbits?

A 
Surgical intervention 
(once stabilised)
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13
Q

Give examples of good surgical technique in rabbits

A

Minimise direct handling
Used moistened swabs
Use wet, non-powdered gloves
Ensure good homeostasis

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14
Q

Should prokinetics be given in the case of rabbit obstruction or after gut surgery?

A

NO - contraindicated

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15
Q

What is dysbiosis in rabbits?

A

Alteration in gut bacteria

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16
Q

What can cause dysbiosis in rabbits?

A

Antibiotic use - care with which you use
Altered body temperature
Change in gut motility (gut stasis)
Drastic diet alteration

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17
Q

What are the clinical signs of dysbiosis in rabbits?

A

Change in faecal consistency
Altered appetite
Possible production of bacterial endotoxins (C. prevail)

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18
Q

What is the treatment for dysbiosis?

A

Aggressive treatment of underlying cause

Adsorbents - choletsyramine, activated charcoal

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19
Q

Gut stasis can lead to dysbiosis. Which is more serious?

A

Dysbiosis potentially much more serious than gut stasis alone

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20
Q

What is failure to eat caecotrophs commonly misdiagnosed as?

A

Diarrhoea

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21
Q

Do rabbits that fail to eat caecotrophs still have normal faeces?

A

Yes - still produce normal hard faeces

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22
Q

What can cause failure to eat caecotrophs?

A

Change in taste - diet change, medications, infection
Change in consistency - may be more runny than usually if infection/inflm of caecum
Inability/unwilling to turn around and eat them - pain, dental disease, spondylosis, osteoarthritis, poor balance due to inner ear disease

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23
Q

Is diarrhoea serious in the rabbit?

A

Yes - true emergency!

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24
Q

Why is diarrhoea so serious in rabbits?

A

Gut motility seriously disordered
Rapid fluid loss
Significant electrolyte imbalance

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25
What can cause diarrhoea in rabbits?
Protozoan parasites - coccidia Bacterial infection and endotoxin production - Tyzzer's disease (C. piliformis) Mucoid enteropathy
26
What is mucoid enteropathy? What age rabbits is it usually seen in?
Distinct diarrhoea complex SI and LI dilated with mucoid diarrhoea Usually juvenile rabbits
27
What/are histological changes seen with mucoid diarrhoea?
Few/no histological changes seen
28
What is the cause and treatment for mucoid enteropathy?
Unknown agent - may co-exist with other GI infections e.g. coccidiosis Thought to be contagious Treatment unrewarding
29
What is the definition of bloat in rabbits?
Gut loops filled with gas | Intensely painful
30
What causes bloat in rabbits?
Bacteria within gut produce gas when multbiome or diet changes
31
What can bloat in rabbits lead to?
Functional obstruction of pyloric outflow - gastric dilatation (Rabbit stomachs do not usually progress to torsion)
32
What is the treatment for bloat?
May require surgery to allow gas to pass out of the stomach
33
With caecal impaction, does the animal continue to defaecate normally?
Produces normal hard faeces | But NO caecotrophs are passed
34
Describe the pathology and sequelae of caecal impaction
Caecum fills with ingesta and fails to empty Caecum gets progressively more and more full --> pain As no caecotrophs, rabbit loses weight due to lack of calories/nutrients
35
Is there a treatment for caecal impaction?
Not really | PGF-2a suggested - but not very helpful
36
What age of rabbits is typically affected by coccidiosis?
Weanlings (Rare in adults Kits immune prior to weaning)
37
What are risk factors for coccidiosis?
Poor hygiene Overstocking Stress
38
Is coccidiosis infection and disease common?
Infection common | But disease relatively rare - each species has different pathogenicity and different area of predilection
39
What are the clinical signs of enteric coccidiosis?
Diarrhoea - possibly with mucus/blood | Stunting, weight loss, lethargy, anorexia, death
40
What are the clinical signs of hepatic coccidiosis?
Weight loss, stunting, ascites, jaundice hepatomegaly | May be subclinical
41
What are the 2 forms of coccidiosis in rabbits?
Enteric | Hepatic
42
Is routine worming indicated for most rabbits in UK?
No
43
Passalurus ambiguus is a common pinworm in rabbits. Is it always pathogenic?
No - part of multi-biome | Potentially helps in caecal contents mixing/digestion
44
Rabbits can be intermediate the intermediate host for various species of worm?
Taenia spp | Tapeworm
45
In what type of rabbits is the Obeliscoids cuniculi worm found? Where in the body is it found?
Wild rabbits | Stomach worm
46
What is dysautonomia (also referred to as megacolon) in rabbits?
Dysfunction of autonomic system | Degenerative changes in autonomic neurones
47
What age of rabbit is usually affected by dysautonomia?
Weanlings most affected | Adults can be affected
48
What is the biggest risk factor for dysautonomia in rabbits?
Low fibre diet | But cause unknown
49
What are the clinical signs of dysautonomia?
Pain Large bowel impaction (palpable) Reduced gut function - stomach and caecum do not empty May have swallowing difficulties and urinary incontinence
50
Is there treatment for dysautonomia in rabbits?
No effective Tx | Don't use oral meds - risk of inhalation pneumonia
51
When are prokinetics contraindictated in rabbits?
If gut obstruction | After gut surgery (where the lumen of guts has been opened)
52
Give examples of pro kinetics that can be used in rabbits (not after GI surgery or gut impaction)
Metoclopramide Cisapride Ranitidine Domperidone
53
Should a rabbit be given supportive feed if it is not eating?
Yes - until voluntary eating returns, to ensure gut function and motility maintained (As long as not obstructed)
54
Any rabbit that is not eating voluntary is presumed to have what % of dehydration?
5%
55
Fluids in a rabbit can be given IV, IO, SC or orally . What rate should they be given?
Same as other small animals | 2-4ml/kg/hr
56
Should pre and probiotics be given to rabbits?
Evidence for and against use - worst case is they don't work and don't influence the gut bacteria Unlikely to cause harm
57
What type of teeth do rabbits have?
Hypsodont - no true root, have reserve crowns | Elodont - open rooted, constantly growing
58
Rabbits are diphyodont. What does this mean?
2 sets of teeth | 1st set lost at/around birth - should never be seen clinically
59
At what rate do teeth grow in the rabbit?
1-3mm/week depending on which tooth
60
What are causes of dental disease in rabbits?
Congenital - malocclusion Acquired - anorexia from whatever cause Trauma - fractured teeth or jaw
61
What are the clinical signs of dental disease in rabbits?
Anorexia Drooling Teeth grinding Wet below chin/on front paws Change in dietary preference - can tell you where the problem is May be no clinical sign at all until problems advanced
62
What is the treatment for dental disease in rabbits?
Make sure gut is working Correct fluid/electrolyte imbalances Provide analgesia Once rabbit is stable, can consider GA, dental x-rays and burring teeth
63
Why should nail clippers or dental clippers not be used to trim rabbit teeth? What should be used instead?
Predisposes to sharp edge and fractures (longitudinally down tooth) Can result in tooth root abscesses
64
Why are dental x-rays important in rabbits?
2/3 of tooth within jaw - you can't see what's going on until x-ray Allows you to build a 3D image and plan treatment
65
Abscesses are common in rabbits. What can they be caused by?
Secondary to trauma/bite wounds Post-surgery Related to dental disease
66
What is the best treatment for abscesses?
Radical/complete surgical excision Primary closure of clean wound (if possible) Removing affected teeth if dental abscess Long course of antibiotic - PMMA beads (Not lancing)
67
Why are rabbits prone to pododermatitis?
No footpads | Furred plantar surfaces
68
What factors predispose a rabbit to pododermatitis?
Obeisty Soiled bedding Wire floors Rex breed
69
What is the treatment for pododermatitis in rabbits?
Treat secondary infection Analgesia, antibiotics Surgical intervention if severe Provide deep bedding
70
What is barbering in rabbits?
Rabbit repeatedly plucking hair from itself or others
71
Why may rabbits do barbering?
Dominance | Insufficient dietary fibre
72
What is the ear mite in rabbits?
Psoroptes caniculi
73
What is the waling dandruff mite in rabbits?
Cheyletiella parasitovorax | surface mites, large white scales
74
What species cause fleas in rabbits?
Ctenocephalides felis C. canis Spilopsyllus caniculi
75
How are fleas treated in rabbits?
Imidocloprin - licensed | NOT fipronil = toxicity
76
In what season does myiasis (flystrike) occur in rabbits?
Summer
77
Does myiasis (flystrike) occur on normal skin?
No
78
How is myiasis (flystrike) prevented in rabbits
Cyromazine (Rearguard)
79
What species of fly causes myiasis (flystrike)?
Lucilia spp | L2 larvae
80
What is the treatment for flystrike/myiasis?
``` Sedation for thorough examination Analgesia Clip and clean lesions Insecticidal Ivermectin Surgical intervention/debridement may be required in severe cases ```
81
What is the etiological agent for rabbit syphilis?
Treponema cuniculi
82
What are the clinical signs of rabbit syphilis (Treponema cuniculi)?
Genital lesions | Facial lesions - lips, eyelids
83
How is rabbit syphilis transmitted and treated?
Sexually transmitted | Tx with parenteral penicillin
84
What etiological agent causes myxomatosis?
Poxivirus | Transmitted by insect vectors
85
What are the two forms of myxomatosis?
Systemic form - facial and genital oedema | Cutaneous forms
86
What fungal species can cause ringworm in rabbits?
Trichophyton metagrophytes Microsporum canis ZOONOTIC
87
What are the clinical signs of ringworm in rabbits?
Crusty, erythematous alopecia +/- pruritis | Seen in young animals with high stocking densities
88
How are calici viruses in rabbits diagnosed?
Post-mortem | PCR on suitable tissue e.g. liver
89
What is the reservoir for RHD-1 in rabbits?
European brown hair
90
What are the relative mortality rates for RHD-1 and RHD-2 in rabbits?
RHD-1 high mortality | RHD-2 lower mortality rates, longer incubation (but similar clinical signs)
91
What are the clinical signs of RHD-1 in rabbits?
``` Acute death Febrile Severely lethargic May bleed from nose/mouth Reverse age susceptibility - young immune until 5-6 wks ```
92
What is the etiological agent of 'snuffles' in rabbits?
Pasteurella multocida +/- other pathogens Related to stress, husbandry and strains of bacteria present
93
What are the clinical signs of 'snuffles' in rabbits?
Related to upper respiratory system - nasal discharge, sneezing Coughing rare May see abscesses, balanoposthitis, pyometra depending on route of infection
94
What is the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease in rabbits?
Dx: deep nasal swabs, radiographs Tx: antibiotics, NSAIDs, fluids, supplemental oxygen, decongestants Correct husbandry and potential stressors
95
What conditions can cause a head tilt in rabbits?
Encephalitozoon cuniculi (protozoa) Ear infection Respiratory infection tracking up to middle ear via Eustachain tube Neurological problem
96
Meclizine and prochlorperazine are what type of drugs?
Anti-vertigo drugs | Reduce dizziness and head tilt
97
How can the protozoa Encephalitozoon cuniculi be transmitted?
Ingestion Inhalation Transplancetal
98
What forms of disease can Encephalitozoon cuniculi cause?
Neurological disease | Renal disease
99
What is the treatment for E. cuniculi?
Fenbedazole effecting at removing organisms | But clinical signs may persist for yrs after
100
What biochem parameter is key for assessing renal disease in rabbits?
Phosphorus
101
How is most calcium excreted in rabbits?
In urine | Suspended, not dissolved
102
What is urine sludging in rabbits?
Thick paste urine | Due to calcium in urine settling onto ventral bladder wall (if calcium mobility restricted)
103
How can urine sludging in rabbits be treated?
Flushing bladder Medications that alter solubility of calcium salts - you cannot acidify herbivore urine Fluids!!! Dietary modification
104
How is urolithiasis treated in rabbits?
Surgery Correct underlying causes Dietary manipulation
105
What are the clinical signs of phantom pregnancy in rabbits?
Nesting Fur pulling Lactation
106
Give 2 examples of infectious abortion agent sin rabbits
Pasturella | Treponema
107
How does uterine adenocarcinoma develop in rabbits?
Repeated empty cycles predispose uterine tissue to become neoplastic Hyperplasia --> adenoma --> adenocarcinoma
108
What causes mammary neoplasia in rabbits?
Intact females | Ovarian remnants post-spay
109
Describe the pathogenesis of adrenal disease in rabbits (similar to ferrets)
Gonadotrophins (LH, FSH) remain at stimulatory levels in blood after neutering No gonads to act on Receptor formation on adrenal surface = stimulated adrenal glands (Similar to ferrets)

Exotics (SA) (5 decks)

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