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Rabbits Flashcards

1
Q

How are the effects of drugs different in rabbits

A

Higher metabolic rate, smaller reverses of glycogen predisposes to hypoglycemia
Higher oxygen consumption reduced tolerance to hyoxia
Have 30 seconds to respond to breath holding spells
Hypothermia
High body surface to volume ratio
Radiant heat loss – cover patient
Evaporative heat loss
Clip as minimal as necessary
Minimize use of scrub and alcohol solution

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2
Q

How are the resp system of rabbits different

A

Visualization of larynx difficult
Prone to laryngospasm
Obligate nasal breathers
Thoracic cavity: very small, small tidal volume (4-6mL/kg)
Clinical and subclinical resp disease
Be careful with positioning
Large abdominal organs push against diaphragm

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3
Q

How does the digestive system of rabbits function

A

Allow water up to premedication
Can not vomit
Fast rabbits 1-2 hours to reduce presence of food in oral cavity
Check for food in the oral cavity – clean with cotton swabs (guinea pigs!)
Post op ileus is common
Predisposing factors: pain, starvation, stress, diet change, drugs
Encourage to eat in post anesthetic period

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4
Q

What do you need to consider during rabbit anesthsia

A

Accurate dosing of drugs
Accurate bodyweight
Dilute drugs of necessary
Use appropriate syringe size
Anesthesia protocols
Don’t extrapolation from other species
Compression of thoracic cavity: hands, instruments, drapes …

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5
Q

What is the blood volume of a rabbit

A

Blood volume: 50-78ml/kg
Less tolerance for hemorrhage
Cotton tip applicator: 0.17mL blood
4x4 gauze sponge: 7ml

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6
Q

What is the anesthetic mortality of rabbits

A

Overall risk of anaesthetic related death 1.39-4.8%
Sick rabbits: 7.37%
64% of mortality occurred post anesthesia
Peri anestheic GI complications (38%)

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7
Q

What increases the anestehtic risks for rabbits

A

Stress
Underlying disease
Failure to address perioperative issues
Lack of familiarity and expertise
- Size
- Endotracheal intubation is technically demanding
- Free veins that are easily accessible for catheterization
- Pain
Increased risk of hypothermia (slow metabolism, delayed recovery)
Prolonged procedures – anaesthesia time (ileus)
Supportive care will reduce anaesthetic morbidity and mortality

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8
Q

How do you minimize a rabbits stress under anesthesia

A

Provide a rabbit friendly enviro
Use premed to reduce stress during induction
Minimize handling
Pain management

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9
Q

What are common underlying diseases of rabbits that could affect anesthesia

A

Malnourishment (dental treatment) and dehydration
Sub clinical resp disease (Pasteurellosis)
Uterine carcinoma

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10
Q

What is a normals rabbits preop blood tests look like

A

PCV: 34-43%
TP: 5.0-7.5 g/dl
BG: 4/1-8.2 mmol/L
Blood glucose can be sued as a prognostic indicator (stress, clinical disease)
BUN 15-30 mg/dl

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11
Q

What is a normal TPR of a rabbit

A

HR: 200-300
RR: 32-60
Temp: 38.5-39.5

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12
Q

How do you avoid issues when it comes to rabbit anesthesia

A

Be prepared
Know normal parameters
Full clinical examination and history
Consider preoperative blood work
Stabilize condition before anesthesia
Don’t starve
Accurate weight
Always calculate doses for anaesthetic agents, reversals and emergency drugs

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13
Q

What are common anesthesia complications with rabbits

A

Hypothermia
Hypotension
Hypoventilation
Hypoxemia
Bradycardia

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14
Q

What are common procedure related complications with rabbits

A

pain, heamorrhage

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15
Q

What are common species related complications with rabbits

A

Hypoglycemia, ileus
Possible underlying subclinical disease
Corneal ulcers
Increased risk of hypothermia
Injury (back fracture)

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16
Q

Why do you premed rabbits

A

Reduces stress during handling, induction, pre oxygenation
Anesthetic sparing
Analgesia

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17
Q

What are common premeds for rabbits

A

Ace
Midazolam
Dexmed
Bup
Torb
Hydro
Methadone
Anticholinergics

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18
Q

How do you use ace in rabbits

A

0.1-0.25 mg/kg (IM, IV, SQ)
Long duration, not reversible – prolonged recovery
Peak effect after 30-45 min
Hypotension: peripheral alpha 1 receptor blockade - vasodilation
Only use in healthy animals
Not ideal as it can last 6-8 hours

19
Q

Characteristics of midazolam in rabbits

A

0.5-2 mg/kg (IM, IV, SQ)
Water soluble can be administered IM
Minimal cardiopulmonary effects
Produces moderate sedation and muscle relaxation
Reversal: flumazenil (0.05-0.1mg/kg IV, IM)
Combine with an opioid
Great for average rabbits

20
Q

Characteristics of dexmed in rabbits

A

0.02-0.05 mg/kg (IM, SQ)
Mild to profound sedation
Resp and cardio depression
Peripheral vasoconstriction
Reversible with atipamezole
Combine with an opioid

21
Q

Characteristics of opiods in rabbits

A

Provide analgesia and will increase sedation
Reversible with naloxone (0.01-0.1 mg/kg IM, IV)
Buprenorphine
- 0.05-.01 mg/kg (im, SQ, IV) 6-8 hours
Butorphanol
- 0.5-2mg/kg (IM, SQ, IV) 2 hours
Hydromorphone
- 0.1-0.3 mg/kg (IM, SQ, IV)
Methadone
- 0.3-0.7 mg/kg (IM, SQ, IV)

22
Q

Characteristics of anticholinergics in rabbits

A

Not routinely administered as premed
Used to treat bradycardia
Negative effects on gastrointestinal motility
Atropine
- 0.1-0.2 mg/kg (IM, SQ, IV)
- 61% of rabbits possess atropine esterase
Glyopyrrolate
- 0.01-0.1mg/kg (IM, SQ, IV)

23
Q

how do you induce rabbits

A

Always pre oxygenate
Always have a person monitor patient during induction/intubation
Have monitoring attached to patient
IV catheter
Have enough induction agent
Masking induction should not be first option for rabbits
Humane exposure
Stressful
Not enough time to intubate

24
Q

What are common injectable agents for rabbit induction

A

KETAMINE (1-5 mg/kg, IV, IM)
- Combine with benzodiazepine (midazolam 0.5mg/kg)
- High doses (up to 25mg/kg) can provide surgical anesthesia
PROPOFOL (2-8 mg/kg, IV)
- Requires IV access prior to induction
ALFAXALONE (1-4 mg/kg IV)
- Could be given IM–large volume
Give to effect to avoid induction apnea

25
Why dont you use volatile agents to induce rabbtis
Should only be 2nd choice to IV induction Always use with premedication to reduce: Stress Struggling (back fracture) Beware of breath holding Apnea induced bradycardia Introduce volatile gradually Pre-oxygenate if possible Oxygen flow rates greater than 100mL/kg/min will well fitted mask
26
What are common volatile agents used to induce rabbits
ISOFLURANE - MAC: 2.5% - Pungent smell–breath holding more likely - Induction apnea SEVOFLURANE - MAC 3.5-4.1% - Less pungent–better tolerated - Faster induction ?-Depth of anesthesia may alter more rapidly - Induction apnea
27
How do you use a face mask for induction with rabbits
Close-fitting: - Reduce environmental contamination - Avoid inhalation of room air - Diaphragm can be adapted using an exam glove - Clear: visual assessment - Low volume: minimize dead space
28
Why do you use a lidocaine CRI in rabbits
Prokinetic effects Improved food intake and fecal output in rabbits following OHE Anesthetic sparing (reduces isoflurane MAC) Analgesic Anti inflammatory/ anti endotoxin
29
How do you intubate a rabbit
Mask V-gel Intubation Blind Direct visualisation Videoendoscope Laryngoscope Otoscope
30
Why would you intubate a rabbit
Protects airway Allows efficient oxygen supplementation Allows positive pressure ventilation Reduces human exposure 2.0-3.5 mm (un)cuffed ET tube Ensure rabbit is adequately anaesthetised Pre oxygenate Prone to laryngospasm: use lidocaine (careful toxic dose) Sternal recumbency with hyperextended neck To align the larynx and the trachea with the oropharynx Continuously monitor HR during induction/intubation
31
How do you blind intubate a rabbit
Technically difficult initially Easy and quick to perform once experienced No extra cost Possible damage to glottis and risk of laryngospasm Possible unsuccessful due to entrapment of epiglottis Risk of aspiration if unnoticed presence of food in the pharynx Premeasure ETT/atomizer to level of larynx Sternal recumbency and hyper-extend neck Insert ET tube to pre measured point Condensation appearing in tube during expiration Instill lidocaine 2% (neat) via small catheter/atomizer through ET tube Gently advance ET tube during inspiration while: Listening at the connector end of the tube Watching capnograph
32
How do you confirm tracheal intubation in rabbits
Ventilate and listen for respiratory sounds on both sides of thorax Use capnograph Coughing Watch for condensation (fogging of tube during expiration) Repeated attempts of intubation are not recommended Risk of laryngeal trauma and spasm → respiratory obstruction
33
How do you intubate a rabbit using a laryngocope/otoscope
Direct visualization possible Can move soft palate and expose the glottis if necessary Technically challenging compared to dog/cat Unexperienced user can cause tissue damage Minimal equipment necessary: laryngoscope/otoscope + stylet
34
How do you intubate a rabbit with direct visualisation
Sternal recumbency and hyper-extend neck Requires an assistant to open the mouth Hold rabbit’s mouth wide open Use bandage material as retractor Gently pull tongue out of mouth Use small laryngoscope Insert ET tube
35
How do you intubate a rabbit with an endoscope
Direct visualization allows rapid and accurate intubation Technical challenging–learning curve No risk of aspiration or soft tissue damage Expensive equipment needed Side-by-side or endoscope can act as stylet
36
Rabbit intubation complications
Difficult placement Laryngospasm Trauma to the oropharyngeal soft tissue Tube dislodgement, occlusion, and kinking Postintubation oropharyngeal swelling
37
Supraflottic airway device: V-gel is used when and how in rabbits
Some experience necessary (online training) Always use with capnograph! Can be easily dislodged when animal is moved Faster placement than ET-intubation Less trauma than blind intubation
38
How and where do you gain IV access in a rabbit
In conscious rabbit–apply local anesthetic cream (EMLA) Cephalic vein Lateral saphenous Marginal auricular vein Complications: sloughing, chemical phlebitis, mechanical irritation from catheter or bandage Don’t use central auricular artery
39
What is the fluid rates for rabbits
Fluids: 10 mL/kg/h (+/- 2.5-5% dextrose)
40
How do you monitor a rabbit under anesthesia
Anesthetic depth: - Palpebral reflex, eve position: unreliable - Nictitans membrane will move over cornea - Corneal reflex should be maintained Cardiovascular System - Auscultation - Doppler - Pulse oximetry: ear, tongue, digit - ECG - Temperature (Avoid Hypo and Hyperthermia)
41
What analgesia would you give a rabbit post op
- NSAIDS: Meloxicam 0.5-1 mg/kg SC - OPIOIDS: Buprenorphine, Hydromorphone, Butorphanol
42
What post op care is needed in rabbits
ANALGESIA: Stress free environment Continue monitoring!! Prolonged recovery → check for: - Hypothermia - Hypoglycemia - Residual drug effects (reversal) Feed as soon as possible
43

Anesthesia 2 (16 decks)

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