rabbits Flashcards
venipunctures sites
central ear artery
IM injections
22 or 23 g 1 inch needle
lumbar epaxial muscles, gluteals or lateral thighs
quadriceps or caudal thigh but avoid the sciatic
rotate sites
adequate restraint
0.5 mL in an adult rabbit
Urine collection
21 G butterfly catheter with 12-60 cc syringe
can usually palpate in dorsal recumbency in lap
GI anatomy
monogastric hindgut fermenting herbivores
non-ruminanat herbivores
large stomach and well developed cecum
cecotrophy is necessary to achieve efficient food conversion and protein absorption
why can’t rabbits vomit
well developed cardiac sphincter
primary microflora
gram + bacillus and bacteriodes
what is the main volatile fatty acid produced
acetic acid with cecal fermentation
Sacculus rotundus
cecal tonsil: distal end of ileum has spherical thick walled enlargement
cecum
40% of GI contents, 10 x capacity of stomach
thin-walled coiled ends in blind - ended tube, vermiform appendix
vermiform appendix
secretes bicarb to buffer cecal acids and water to form cecal paste
normal flora
bacillus, bacteriodes
colon
separated by taenia and hausfrau
warzen: warts that increase surface are
fusus coli
third section of colon that has prominent longitudinal folds and goblet cells
Diet
High fiber,
cecotrophs
formed in proximal colon and cecum
contain microorganisms, amino acids, VFA’s and bits
gelatinous coating protects from stomach acids so protein and vitamin absorption can occur in small intestine
bacteria produce amylase that convert glucose to carbon dioxide and lactic acid
Low fiber diets
increase cecal retention time: hypo motility of entire gut and reduces cecotrophs
high protein diet
decrease cecotroph consumption
high carb diets
excessive clostridium and ecoli adn excessive VFA fermentation
causes gas and toxins that disrupt motility and nutrient production and absorption
gut stasis
inappetance or anorexia and normal or reduced water intake
fecal output slows and eventually stops
rectal temp will drop in endotoxic rabbits (<99)
rads: contrast series, iodinated contrast better than barium
initial tx: motility enhancers if no impaction, probiotics, vit B for appetite stimulation, oxbow critical care if not eating, simethicone for gas, antibiotics if diarrhea
True diarrhea
always an emergency avoid mycins (macrolide) avoid beta-lactams (cefas) injectable penicillin (NO ORAL) balanced microbial spectrum
uneaten cecals
normal hard stools are being produced
smelly and stick to perineum
obesity, pain/arthritis, high protein or low fiber diet, neuro disease, dental decease are predisposing factors
Tx: clip and clean, diaper rash, ointment, correct diet weightless, NSAIDS
congenital incisor malocclusion
most common
can be a result of cheek teeth
dental abscesses
dx: palpation, oral exam, rads thick caseous pus require aggressive surgical debridement ancillary tx: packing/ antibiotic beads, remember anaerobes long term therapy
Pasteurella: snuffles
most common, usually in adults
responsive to chloramphenicol, novabiocin, oxytetracycline, penicillin G, fluroquinolones, TMS
transmission is direct contact, airborne spread, fomites, venereal if genital infection
Pasteurella: snuffles Clinical signs
URD: rhinitis, sinusitis, conjunctivitis, dacryocystitis
otitis, pleuropneumonia, bacteremia, abscesses of skin, organs, bones, joints, genitalia
serious nasal discharge
forepaws matted and yellow-gray
tearing, scalding of face, alopecia, pyoderma
torticolus, nystagums, ataxia, scratching ears if inner ear affected
anorexia, weight loss, depression, dyspneaupon exertion
Dx: snuffles
deep nasal culture
Tx: snuffles
long term antibiotics, correct environment, anti-histamines, flush, nasolacrimal ducts, treat eyes
bordatella bronchiseptica
co pathogen with pasteurella
non- pathogenic inhabitant of rabbit respiratory tract
adheres to ciliate dmucosa and induces ciliostasis, reduced macroophage adherence and phagocytosis
staphylococcis aureus and albus
increase inflammation of already compromised mucosa
toxins lethal for neutrophils and protein A that binds to IgG
fibrinous penumonia, otitis media, abscesses in lungs/ heart
Tx: fluoroquinolones, chloramphenicol
moraxella catarrhalis
opportunistic or normal flora
rhinitis or conjunctivitis
mycobacterium
pneumonia in rabbits
pseudomonas aeruginosa
abscesses similar to pasteurella and septicemia
franciella paratuberculosis and franciella tularensis
pseudotuberculosis and tuleremia
bacteremia, multiorgan fibronopurulent dz, pneumonia, zoonotic
chlmydophilis
lungs
adenocarcinomas of nasal turbiniates
cavitation of turbinates and progresses rapidly
copus urine production
due to less able to concentrate
Thymomas
young/ old rabbits tachypnea and moderate dyspnea cyanosis on exertion, respiratory rales bilateral exophthalmos due to interference of vascuar return to the heart surgery or chemo
pH of urine
7.6-8.8 with traces of protein and glucose and lots of triple phosphate and calcium carbonate crystals
cream color due to calcium excretion
red/ yellow due to plant pigments (porphyrins)
what pigments cause yellow to brown to brithg red color of urine
beta-carotene in diet
what gives urine a cloudy appearance
excretion of calcium through the kidneys
what is unique about their uterus
duplex uterus with 2 cervices and convoluted long oviducts
uterus and ovarian pedicle are more friable than in cat/ dog
early spay recommended
uterine adenocarcinoma
30-80% of intact rabbits over 3
most common cancer in rabbits
prevention: OHE prior to 6 months
Tx: OHE, it is slowly metastasizing so may cure
most common area of mets from uterine adenocarcinoma
lungs
urinary tract sludge
associated with severe crystalluria often in sedentary rabbits accumulation of thick sludge in bladder painful, dysuria change in urinary habits
urinary tract calculi
large amounts of ca carbonate (sludge)
calciuria with anorexia, dysuria, stranguria, hunched posture, perineal staining with ca carbonate precipitate, reluctance to move
Dx: rads/ us
tx: sq fluid diuresis, flush bladder until urine is clear or cystotomy with culture and stone analysis
increase fluid consumption to prevent, decrease dietary Ca (avoid alfalfa hay)
tx of caliuria
resolves with medical tx
tx of uroliths
surgical
Rabbit spirochetosis “syphilis”
vent disease
treponema cuniculi, venereal transmission from mom to kid
young rabbits by scabs on nose and vent
dx: biopsy, PCR, response to tx
tx: long acting penicillin: procaine + benzathine, pen G or combo pen
give 2 SQ doses 4 days apart
pregnancy toxemia
CS: weakness, depression, incoordination, obese, acetone odor to breath, housed with male, splay -leg, anorexia
Dx: hx, UA shows ketonuria, proteinuria, acid pH
DDX: metabolic and dystocia
Tx: IV or IO fluids, injectable antibiotics, assisted feedings, C-sec
don’t allow breeding to become obese and watch for anorexia
rabbit neuter
cranial end of scrotum and through fibrous tunic
exteriorize testes, epididymus, and ductus deferens, double ligate and remove
close inguinal ring and do intradermal closure with skin glue
trichophyton and microsporum canis
head, shoulders, legs
Dx: skin scrape, fungal culture
tx: lime sulfur, iodine, griseofulvin
Cuterebra larvae
breathing hole and often hair is matted around it
tx: surgical removal, do not crush larva cause can lead to anaphylaxis
Myiasis
obesity, dermatitis, unsanitary conditions are pre disposals
wound debridement and maggot removal
ivermectin to kill maggots, antibiotics, analgesics are necessary
ctenocephalides: fleas
found along dorsum and pelvis between shoulders
tx: advantage, leufenuron
NO FRONT LINE causes liver impairment
cheyletiella: walking dandruff
mild pruritis, large flakes on limbs and neck, alopecia, oily dermatitis
Dx: skin scrape, scotch tape test
Tx: ivermectin, lime sulfur
ZOONOTIC
psoroptes cuiculi
otitis externa, crusty exudate, discharge, pruritis, head shaking, scratching
dx: pE, microscopic, otoscopic
direct transmission
tx: ivermectin, selemectin, anti-inflmatories
sarcoptes scabiei
crusty, pruritic dermatitis of the face, nose, lips, external genitalia
Dx: deep skin scrape
Tx: ivermectin, lyme sulfur
ZOONOTIC
pododermatitis
sore hocks
avascular necrosis of plantar surface of rear feet
obesity, lack of exercise, housing (wire, metal grate, concrete, carpet), breed (rex)
tx: relieve pressure on affected area, non-abrasive, dry surface such as rubber, towels, newspaper, antibiotics, analgesics
abscesses
common and frustrating
thick caseous material
anywhere and systemic antibiotics alone are not typical
honey can be anti-bacterial and encourage grooming for self-debridement
culture and sensitivity
ehlers-danlos syndrome
collagen synthesis disorder
otitis media/ interna
pasteurella
rads
enrofloxacin systemic and topical (baytril/ gentamycin) or chloramphenicol
flush ears with saline under ax
encephalitazoonosis
E. cuniculi stressed immune compromised animals spores shed in urine of infected rodents or rabbits are ingested/ inhaled acute stage: liver lung kidney chronic: brain, kidney, heart uveitis, abortion, neonatal deaths asymptomatic is common
encephalitazoonsis Dx and Tx
Dx: neuro plus increased serum Ab titres, spores in affected tissues
multifocal necrosis and granulomas
tx: oxbendazole, dexamethazone, chloramphenicol
cerebral larval migrans
baylisacaris procyonis or columnaris from raccoon feces fecal/ oral trans larva migrate to CNS causing encephalomalacia head tilt, ataxia, vertical nystagmus Tx: oxibendazole, often euthanasia restrict access to raccoons or skunks
Most common trauma
lumbar/ sacral fracture
tx: cage rest, prednisone, bladder expression, NSAIDS, spinal surgery
splay leg
young rabbits and inheritable
inability to adduct one or more limbs, difficulty in ambulation
tx: amputation if only 1 limb affected or euthanasia
rabbit thymoma
tachypnea, dyspnea, bilateral exophthalmos
tx: thymectomy
Tuleremia
francisella highly virulent for humans arthropod vectors fever, lethargy, anorexia, septicemia, death REPORTABLE
milky way appearance
white necrotic foci in liver affected by tuleremia
myxomatosis
myxoma from pox family
arthropods
lethargy, fever, anorexia, skin hemorrhages
benign tumor at site of entry: ear base
Dx: CS, his to of infected tissue and viral isolation
REPORTABLE in some states
