9.5.1: Anorexia in small mammals - Treatment Flashcards
Underlying principles for treatment of anorexia in all small mammals
- Restore circulatory volume (fluid therapy)
- Eliminate pain (analgesia)
- Restore gastrointestinal motility (prokinetics)
- Restore GI hydration (syringe feed q4hrs)
- Prevent ulceration and hepatic lipidosis
- Eliminate stress (correct husbandry/ handling)
- Identify and treat underlying diseases
Analgesia drugs and routes for rabbits
Prokinetic drugs and routes for rabbits
Cisapride is coming off the market :(
* Use metoclopramide and ranitidine together as they work synergistically.
* Lidocaine CRI can also help motility
Fluid therapy options for rabbits
Which antibiotics are safe in hindgut and how will you remember this?
What is the anthelmintic of choice in small mammals?
Fenbendazole
What coccidiostats / coccidiocides can we use in small mammals?
- TMPS
- Toltrazuril
What medication can we use for gastric bloat in small mammals?
Simethicone - anecdotal evidence, method of action not understood
When might we use lactulose in a small mammal?
- Lactulose = liver protectant, use when worried about hepatic lipidosis
What kennelling and general daily care considerations should you take into account regarding rabbits?
Treatment of gastric bloat
Treatment of dysbiosis / enterotoxaemia
Treatment of accumulated caecotrophs
Considerations for abdominal surgery in small mammals
- GI surgery in rabbits / rodents is often v high risk; prognosis generally v poor
- General principles and techniques as for cats: precise, delicate, and minimal tissue handling (adhesions form readily)
- Ensure tissues are continually hydrated using warmed saline
- Do not use powdered gloves
- Materials: PDS, Vicryl, Monocryl - do not use catgut, rabbits have strong reactions
If a tooth snaps during a rabbit dental, what should you do?
- The tooth roots are very deep - wait 4-6 weeks, then repeat the dental and remove it
Describe the differences in teeth between e.g. rabbits and hamsters
True/false: it is fine to trim rabbit incisors with tooth cutters.
False
* Use a tiny circular saw or burr; place a syringe behind the incisors to protect the soft tissue.
* Do not use tooth cutters - these cause microfractures every time you use them.
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Treatment of dental abscesses in rabbits and guinea pigs
- These animals for very thick pus -> abscesses must be surgically removed
- You cannot aspirate the pus with a syringe and the abscess capsule must also be removed as it is too thick for antibiotics to penetrate
- Remove and shell out the abscess and its lining/ capsule
- Send a swab of pus for C&S
- Keep the wound open by suturing the edges of the incision to the skin to allow proper drainage (marsupialisation)
- Find and address the cause of the abscess (using radiographs or CT)
- Remove the problem e.g. the tooth roots involved
What is shown here?
Tooth root abscess
* Need to remove the teeth involved
You have surgically removed an abscess in a rabbit and are waiting for C&S results from a swab you sent off. What antibiotic will you use in the mean time?
- Injectable penicillin (IM) if owners can manage injections + metronidazole PO
- TMPS PO + metronidazole PO (TMPS less effective compared to penicillin)
- Do not use enrofloxacin - this is not first line!
True/false: you should only starve rabbits for short periods before GA.
False!
DO NOT EVER STARVE RABBITS.
When starved they can gut stasis and this can kill.
Describe a suitable nutritional support plan for a rabbit
