Recumbent rabbits should be turned every 6 to 8 hours or propped up sternally to prevent hypostatic congestion of the lungs. Topical application of anti-inflammatory agents may be beneficial once bacterial infection is under control. This can lead to the over-population of pathogenic bacteria resulting in either diarrhea or GI stasis. It is always preferred to use an antibiotic that has the least likelihood of inciting gastrointestinal disease. Intubation can be difficult because of the long, narrow oropharynx, large incisors, and large fleshy tongue that can obstruct the view of the pharyngeal cavity. 0000009015 00000 n
A serum biochemical analysis and a CBC are necessary to assess renal function.
Psoroptic mites are transmitted easily between rabbits. Acute pyloric obstruction causes severe depression, lethargy, bloating, dehydration, hypothermia, and shock.
Obtain radiographs to evaluate fractures for surgical repair or to confirm joint luxations. (arrow), caused by long-term injections of penicillin. Dermatophytosis is associated with alopecia and a scaly dermatitis, particularly around the head and ears (see Superficial Mycosis). Treat treponematosis with penicillin (see Treponematosis). If laryngeal trauma occurs during intubation attempts, abandon the procedure and use a face mask, or postpone the procedure to another day. Raven 1998. Determine the primary cause of the alopecia to make a diagnosis. Some selected bacterial species known to infect rabbits include pathogenic species of staphylococcus and streptococcus, Klebsiella, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Listeria, Actinomycoses, and Actinobacillus. Coccidia are susceptible to treatment only during a specific period in the protozoan life cycle. Administer a topical antibiotic in the ear canal 3 to 4 times daily.
Elsevier hereby grants permission to make all its COVID-19-related research that is available on the COVID-19 resource centre - including this research content - immediately available in PubMed Central and other publicly funded repositories, such as the WHO COVID database with rights for unrestricted research re-use and analyses in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. problems of the digestive system (dysbiosis), Burr guards can also be purchased.
The rear leg muscles of rabbits are well developed for strong kicking and thumping. Mandibular abscesses occur as firm swellings in the ventral facial area. Escherichia coli causes diarrhea in young rabbits and has a variable morbidity and mortality rate depending on the pathogenicity of the serotype involved. Cryptosporidia parvum may cause a transient diarrhea in young rabbits for 3 to 5 days. 0000046721 00000 n
Attempts to stabilize the fracture surgically are usually not practical because of the poor prognosis and degree of nursing care necessary. There are no drug company brochures guiding veterinarians as to the indications of certain antibiotics in ferrets and rabbits. Distinguish between hematuria and hemorrhagic vaginal discharge occurring secondary to uterine adenocarcinoma by physical examination, history, urinalysis, abdominal radiographs, and abdominal ultrasonography. Inadequate dietary roughage is associated with gastric hairballs in rabbits. Primaparous does usually have smaller litters.
Cytologic examination of the exudate shows neutrophils and proteinaceous debris; bacteria may or may not be visible. Pain medication such as buprenorphine is indicated if the rabbit appears to be in pain. Extend the neck straight up and forward. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help
Radiographs of the head can provide important information about the sinuses and the dental roots. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (30 mg/kg PO q12h for 10 days) has proved effective for the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis. Have the owners flush open wounds with sterile saline once or twice daily. Continue treatment for 4 weeks. Medical management is successful in most rabbits. Use liquid or paste preparations when possible because rabbits have a long, narrow oropharynx that makes pill administration difficult. Other areas, such as the dewlap and feet, sometimes are involved. Perform complete surgical excision of any abscessed skin. Check both lateral and medial edges of upper and lower molars. An especially nervous or aggressive rabbit may need to be wrapped securely in a towel to prevent injury to itself and to the handler. An important consequence of the lack studies to gain approval is that there are few pharmacokinetic investigations of antibiotics in ferrets and rabbits. Pasteurella infections can also result in abscesses in the subcutaneous tissues, retrobulbar space, and internal organs. Pasteurellosis is an endemic disease in rabbits, and control is difficult.
For example, a pet rabbit exhibits signs of "snuffles" at age three.
Ivermectin (0.4 mg/kg SC q14d for two treatments) can be administered to kill larvae, but the larvae still need to be removed from the sites. Rabbits have very small thoracic cavities. Boredom also may be a factor in fur-barbering. Cystic calculi must be removed surgically. 0000018453 00000 n
Because the lesions are usually very painful, and the aural crusts resolve after ivermectin treatment, avoid pulling off the crusts to clean the ears. No fecal pellet production in over 24 hours.
Severe diarrhea, intussusception, and death may occur with heavy infections. Monitor all rabbits closely during any anesthetic episode. 0000001449 00000 n
Auscultation of the nares and trachea often reveal rattles and rales. 0000040311 00000 n
Pasteurellosis is the most common cause of pneumonia in rabbits, though other bacteria such as. Use this drug at a dose of 20 mg/kg q12-24hrs PO. Treponema paraluiscuniculi is the causative agent of rabbit syphilis.
Surgical resection of early focal abdominal metastasis is the treatment of choice but carries a guarded prognosis because of metastasis that may not be visible at the time of surgery.
Obtain abdominal radiographs of rabbits with urine scald for evidence of cystic calculi. If anesthetized, the rabbit can be placed in dorsal recumbency with the neck extended down over a table edge for better visibility of the jugular veins. Give the rabbit petrolatum-based oral lubricants such as Laxatone at 1 to 2 ml/day for 3 to 5 days to aid in fur passage.
Submit a blood sample for serum biochemical analysis to check for high concentrations of calcium, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine. Rabbits are not systemically ill. Routinely brush long-haired rabbits or heavy shedders. Rabbits with pasteurellosis often improve with long-term antibiotic therapy and supportive care. Yet, very few jaw abscesses are caused by puncture wounds to the face. Anorectic animals should be force fed replacement diets such as Critical Care for Herbivores (Oxbow Pet Products, Murdock, NE; If young rabbits test positive for coccidiosis, administer appropriate therapy (see Coccidiosis). A new concept in drug administration is called pulse therapy. Institute empirical antibiotic treatment if a culture cannot be obtained or before results are known. Decrease or eliminate pellets from the diet and encourage rabbits to exercise to prevent obesity.
Oral administration of antibiotics is effective in rabbits with mild-to-moderate diarrhea. The environment should be treated with flea products safe for cats to prevent re-infection. However, repeated attempts to intubate can damage the larynx, causing soft tissue trauma or laryngospasm that can be fatal after the rabbit is extubated. An antibiotic cream such as silver sulfadiazine can be applied topically.
The amount of antibiotic needed at the infected site is difficult to determine in rabbits because of the caseous pus they form and the walled off abscesses that are impenetrable to many antibiotics. amount of a sterile saline solution. HWM6q|Fk[`
CSt,>(QGz[, `iz *=&E(Y$hV0Xz]KXxxzTO4^TY#| Vq:wpCi v@48 {:?6/BIxyx2*HXuszYsU UAunE m46qy:(@D*b0&H*ow'e^~@e2^/UC@+pV?ORu3XFkzmM1A5$~@e'*pI6 WMY_^Wu.h_7mh ,o5}i Antibiotic administration in the drinking water rarely allows the drug to reach effective serum concentrations. This is opposed to the classes of drugs that are more effective at a steady state.
The abnormal flora changes the pH which increases volatile fatty acid production, thereby further suppressing the growth of normal bacteria. Pasteurella multocida is often implicated as a primary cause, though other bacteria may also be involved. Penicillin G Systemic antibiotics are necessary if infection is present. John E. Rabbit milk varies with stage of lactation but is approximately 13% protein, 9% fat, and 1% lactose. Lack of roughage in the diet is a major predisposing factor in GI stasis. Medium breeds, which average from 3.5 to 5 kg in body weight, include the Californian, the Silver Marten, and the Rex rabbits. Encephalitozoon cuniculi is another common cause of torticollis and incoordination in rabbits. Before an antibiotic is chosen, identify the organ system involved. Trimethoprin sulfa drugs are commonly used in ferrets and rabbits and appear to be safe. Abscesses are sometimes quite large before they are apparent to the owner. Definitive diagnosis requires histopathologic examination of affected tissues. The ideal antibiotic to use in ferrets and rabbits is easily administered, bactericidal and does not cause gastrointestinal disease. Cystic mastitis must be differentiated from septic mastitis and mammary neoplasia. Prognosis for recovery is guarded to poor. Rabbits exhibit cecotrophy, which means they consume soft cecotrophs, also known as night feces. Antiperistaltic contractions in the colon retrograde non-fiber particles and fluid back into the cecum for fermentation and the formation of cecotrophs, which are an important source of B-vitamins, electrolytes, and nitrogen. Therapy with coccidiostats is more prophylactic than therapeutic.
The assistant holds the gauze around the lower molars in one hand, while the second hand is placed on top of the rabbit's head and holds the gauze looped around the top incisors, forcing the head and neck into extension. Calculi usually are composed of calcium carbonate or calcium oxalate and may be associated with high dietary calcium intake. Also, drugs that are used for pulse therapy have their best effect at a high dose for a limited time. Long-term antibiotic therapy is necessary.
Rabbits with malocclusion often have no other clinical signs. The incidence in rabbits older than 4 years of age ranges from 50% to 80% in certain breeds such as the Dutch, French Silver, and Havana, suggesting a genetic component to the disease. Rabbits are distinguished from rodents by possessing an extra set of upper incisors, which are also known as peg teeth..
What antibiotic is best against that pathogen? Many owners elect euthanasia when faced with the difficulties and the time required for long-term nursing care. MediRabbit.com is
Euthanasia is recommended. Reference ranges for hematologic values, serum biochemical values, and urinalysis are listed in Table 176-2, Table 176-3, Table 176-4 Serologic tests can be used to detect antibodies against E. cuniculi or P. multocida. Overweight rabbits are predisposed to hypercalciuria and urolithiasis. For this reason, selection of a quinolone antibiotic in small mammals is a rational choice based on safety, spectrum of activity, and once a day administration. Ketamine (5-10 mg/kg) and medetomidine (Domitor, Pfizer Animal Health, Exton, PA) (0.15-0.18 mg/kg) in combination given IM or IV provides adequate relaxation and sedation. Infection spreads until all glands are affected. Molar malocclusion requires dentistry with sedation. Metronidazole is used for anaerobic infections. Weight loss, depression, and palpable intestinal gas may be present in some rabbits.
Administer systemic antibiotics based on culture and sensitivity testing. abscesses can be avoided by diluting the amount to be given by the same Mites have biting mouthparts and cause inflammation by biting and chewing the epithelial surface of the skin. Cephalic veins can be used to collect small volumes of blood. Many infected rabbits are asymptomatic, or may develop clinical signs after a stressful event or other immunosuppressive conditions. Soiled or wet bedding, abrasions from flooring, sedentary behavior caused by obesity, small cages that restrict movement, and abrasions from thumping are predisposing factors. Clinical signs are often inapparent until disease is advanced. The presence of organisms on histologic examination is required for definitive diagnosis. General preventive measures are described in the following section on Pasteurellosis. Identify carriers in rabbit colonies and breeding facilities through serologic testing. Pass a small endotracheal tube along the blade into the opening of the glottis. Intestinal coccidiosis is primarily a disease of young rabbits. Support the hindquarters when carrying or lifting a rabbit to prevent spinal injuries. Stress is a major factor in GI stasis. Respiratory irritants such as excessive ammonia in dirty, poorly-ventilated cages, aromatic wood shavings (cedar), and cigarette smoke may predispose some rabbits to respiratory infections. If a diagnosis is made within 6 to 12 hours of the time of the fracture, administer methylprednisolone sodium succinate, prednisolone sodium succinate, or dexamethasone at shock dosages. Daily management includes thorough cleaning and flushing until healing is well advanced. Root elongation of the premolars and molars can develop in rabbits with chronic malocclusion. Malocclusion and root elongation of the cheek teeth sometimes accompany mandibular abscesses. Infection of the nose, eyelids, lips, and chin may result from autoinfection. Cecal enlargement has been observed, with dosage of 200 and 400 mg/kg, q 24 the first 2 days, repeat after 2 T. mentagrophytes does not fluoresce with ultraviolet light. Repeated flushes of the nasolacrimal duct daily for 2 to 3 days or every 3 days for four or five treatments is most effective. Give antibiotics parenterally in rabbits with severe clinical signs. Diagnosis of septic mastitis is based on clinical signs, history of lactation or pseudocyesis, and isolation of bacteria on culture of gland tissue or exudate.
Karen L Rosenthal
Fur-barbering is characterized by alopecia of the dewlap, back of the neck, and paws. Treatment is directed toward the primary cause (see Ear Mites; Fur and Mange Mites; Hairballs; Malocclusion; Treponematosis; Cystitis; Superficial Mycosis). Diagnosis is based on history, clinical signs, distribution of lesions, and response to therapy. Medications can be administered orally into the lateral cheek pouch. Force-feed anorectic animals with Critical Care for Herbivores (Oxbow Pet Products) or softened rabbit pellets mixed with vegetable baby food or canned pumpkin. H. Schall, procaine (long lasting) in the treatment of
antibiotics dogs cats category antibiotic Hold the rabbit at the edge of a table with the neck held in extension. will also be available for a limited time. Ideally, before instituting antibiotics, obtain a culture and a minimum database.
Use inhalant anesthesia for long or painful surgical procedures. Screen young rabbits for coccidiosis or give prophylactic therapy. When the antibiotic is dissolved in Wire mesh flooring may also be used; however, provide a solid area for the rabbit as wire flooring may predispose rabbits to sore hocks. Simple lancing of mandibular and joint abscesses is ineffective because of the thick, caseous nature of the exudate. Many pelleted diets are derived from alfalfa and exceed dietary calcium requirements. Maintain the limb in a normal position and incorporate both the joints above and below the fracture into the splint. Use these drugs at 30 mg/kg q12hrs PO. Dermatophytes cause a partial alopecia with slight scaliness and erythema. Correct the diet in animals on marginal or deficient dietary fiber levels.
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