anorexia

Question 1

Causes anorexia

Answer 1

Non critical
- Diet change vs pain (urinary tract stone, arthritis, teeth, any other painful condition), metabolic, psychological, infectious

Critical
- Liver lobe torsion vs GIT obstruction

Question 2

Important finding PE

Answer 2

Going for > 12h is better than acute onset

Attitude
- Stasis BAR, QAR, sternal
- More serious thing Lethargic, hunched, lateral

Rectal temperature
- Low T < 99 is red flag

Palpate belly for pain - should be not painful for stasis

Listen to GIT
- Should always have some GIT sounds
- Might be decrease GIT sounds with stasis

Check for stool production
- Decreased for stasis vs absence for more serious thing

Look in mouth

Question 3

Treatment for GI stasis

Answer 3

Heat support PRN
Fluid SC 50-100 mL/kg/day
Nutrition critical care 9g/kg/day / 50-100 kcal/kg/day
Cerenia 1 mg/kg SQ q24h can possibly help with motility

If painful, pain med (opioid, meloxicam, gabapentin) but opioid can slow down GIT and meloxicam could be contraindicated if risk for GIT ulceration
No evidence pro motility drugs work at all in rabbits
Antibiotic only if infectious

Not recommended: Motility drug, simethicone (gas drop), fruit juice, probiotic

Question 4

Summary anorexia in rabbit

Answer 4

History and PE are really important

r/o more critical issues using algorithm (rectal temp, length of illness, behavior)

Diagnostic test might be necessary

supportive care: Fluid, food, +- pain meds, +/- antibiotic (quinolone, TMS), no promotility drugs

don’t hospitalize if simple stasis

Question 5

Improtant take away for anorexic rabbit

Answer 5

R/O more critical issues based on history (length of illness), visual exam (attitude/behavior) , PE (rectal temperature, abdominal pain).

DX PRN

Supportive care with fluid, assist feeding (crital care), +/- pain meds+/- antibiotic
Dont hospitalize if simple stasis