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Exotics (SA) > Rabbits > Flashcards

Rabbits Flashcards

1
Q

What is a common GI presentation/symptom in rabbits?

A

Gut stasis (symptom, not a diagnosis)

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2
Q

Is gut stasis painful? Can gut stasis be fatal in rabbits?

A

Yes - painful and can be fatal

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3
Q

What is the pathogenesis of gut stasis?

A

Caused by anorexia
Anorexia causes slowing down of gut motility
Reduction of faecal production
Deteriorating cycle until eating and defaecating stops

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4
Q

Is a rabbit with gut stasis a suitable candidate for anaesthesia?

A

No

Electrolytes not predictably absorbed/secreted - causes electrolyte derangements

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5
Q

How does gut stasis cause dehydration?

A

Interstitial fluid moves from tissues into gut

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6
Q

What are the symptoms/history of gut stasis?

A

Reduced/absent appetite
Reduced/absent faecal production
Lethargy

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7
Q

What is heard on abdominal auscultation in a rabbit with gut stasis?

A

Reduced gut sounds

May hear abnormally loud borborygmi

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8
Q

What can be felt on abdominal palpation of a rabbit with gut stasis? (more than 1 presentation)

A

‘Empty’ abdomen if guts not normally filled
OR dilated/fluid filled gut loops
OR impactions of viscera
May be painful

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9
Q

Is gut stasis a disease?

A

No - a symptom

Important to diagnose the cause as well as treating the gut stasis itself

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10
Q

How is gut stasis diagnosed?

A

History - reduced appetite and faecal production, lethargy
Gut auscultation - lack of gut sounds or loud borborygmi
Abdo palpation
Imaging, surgery

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11
Q

How is blood glucose linked to GI blockage in rabbits?

A

Elevated blood glucose causes suspicion of GI blockage

HOWEVER poor sensitivity/specifity - not all blocked show high glucose, and not all hyperglycaemic rabbits are blocked

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12
Q

What is the treatment for gut obstruction in rabbits?

A 
Surgical intervention 
(once stabilised)
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13
Q

Give examples of good surgical technique in rabbits

A

Minimise direct handling
Used moistened swabs
Use wet, non-powdered gloves
Ensure good homeostasis

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14
Q

Should prokinetics be given in the case of rabbit obstruction or after gut surgery?

A

NO - contraindicated

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15
Q

What is dysbiosis in rabbits?

A

Alteration in gut bacteria

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16
Q

What can cause dysbiosis in rabbits?

A

Antibiotic use - care with which you use
Altered body temperature
Change in gut motility (gut stasis)
Drastic diet alteration

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17
Q

What are the clinical signs of dysbiosis in rabbits?

A

Change in faecal consistency
Altered appetite
Possible production of bacterial endotoxins (C. prevail)

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18
Q

What is the treatment for dysbiosis?

A

Aggressive treatment of underlying cause

Adsorbents - choletsyramine, activated charcoal

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19
Q

Gut stasis can lead to dysbiosis. Which is more serious?

A

Dysbiosis potentially much more serious than gut stasis alone

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20
Q

What is failure to eat caecotrophs commonly misdiagnosed as?

A

Diarrhoea

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21
Q

Do rabbits that fail to eat caecotrophs still have normal faeces?

A

Yes - still produce normal hard faeces

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22
Q

What can cause failure to eat caecotrophs?

A

Change in taste - diet change, medications, infection
Change in consistency - may be more runny than usually if infection/inflm of caecum
Inability/unwilling to turn around and eat them - pain, dental disease, spondylosis, osteoarthritis, poor balance due to inner ear disease

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23
Q

Is diarrhoea serious in the rabbit?

A

Yes - true emergency!

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24
Q

Why is diarrhoea so serious in rabbits?

A

Gut motility seriously disordered
Rapid fluid loss
Significant electrolyte imbalance

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25
Q

What can cause diarrhoea in rabbits?

A

Protozoan parasites - coccidia
Bacterial infection and endotoxin production - Tyzzer’s disease (C. piliformis)
Mucoid enteropathy

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26
Q

What is mucoid enteropathy? What age rabbits is it usually seen in?

A

Distinct diarrhoea complex
SI and LI dilated with mucoid diarrhoea
Usually juvenile rabbits

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27
Q

What/are histological changes seen with mucoid diarrhoea?

A

Few/no histological changes seen

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28
Q

What is the cause and treatment for mucoid enteropathy?

A

Unknown agent - may co-exist with other GI infections e.g. coccidiosis
Thought to be contagious
Treatment unrewarding

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29
Q

What is the definition of bloat in rabbits?

A

Gut loops filled with gas

Intensely painful

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30
Q

What causes bloat in rabbits?

A

Bacteria within gut produce gas when multbiome or diet changes

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31
Q

What can bloat in rabbits lead to?

A

Functional obstruction of pyloric outflow - gastric dilatation
(Rabbit stomachs do not usually progress to torsion)

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32
Q

What is the treatment for bloat?

A

May require surgery to allow gas to pass out of the stomach

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33
Q

With caecal impaction, does the animal continue to defaecate normally?

A

Produces normal hard faeces

But NO caecotrophs are passed

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34
Q

Describe the pathology and sequelae of caecal impaction

A

Caecum fills with ingesta and fails to empty
Caecum gets progressively more and more full –> pain
As no caecotrophs, rabbit loses weight due to lack of calories/nutrients

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35
Q

Is there a treatment for caecal impaction?

A

Not really

PGF-2a suggested - but not very helpful

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36
Q

What age of rabbits is typically affected by coccidiosis?

A

Weanlings
(Rare in adults
Kits immune prior to weaning)

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37
Q

What are risk factors for coccidiosis?

A

Poor hygiene
Overstocking
Stress

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38
Q

Is coccidiosis infection and disease common?

A

Infection common

But disease relatively rare - each species has different pathogenicity and different area of predilection

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39
Q

What are the clinical signs of enteric coccidiosis?

A

Diarrhoea - possibly with mucus/blood

Stunting, weight loss, lethargy, anorexia, death

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40
Q

What are the clinical signs of hepatic coccidiosis?

A

Weight loss, stunting, ascites, jaundice hepatomegaly

May be subclinical

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41
Q

What are the 2 forms of coccidiosis in rabbits?

A

Enteric

Hepatic

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42
Q

Is routine worming indicated for most rabbits in UK?

A

No

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43
Q

Passalurus ambiguus is a common pinworm in rabbits. Is it always pathogenic?

A

No - part of multi-biome

Potentially helps in caecal contents mixing/digestion

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44
Q

Rabbits can be intermediate the intermediate host for various species of worm?

A

Taenia spp

Tapeworm

45
Q

In what type of rabbits is the Obeliscoids cuniculi worm found? Where in the body is it found?

A

Wild rabbits

Stomach worm

46
Q

What is dysautonomia (also referred to as megacolon) in rabbits?

A

Dysfunction of autonomic system

Degenerative changes in autonomic neurones

47
Q

What age of rabbit is usually affected by dysautonomia?

A

Weanlings most affected

Adults can be affected

48
Q

What is the biggest risk factor for dysautonomia in rabbits?

A

Low fibre diet

But cause unknown

49
Q

What are the clinical signs of dysautonomia?

A

Pain
Large bowel impaction (palpable)
Reduced gut function - stomach and caecum do not empty
May have swallowing difficulties and urinary incontinence

50
Q

Is there treatment for dysautonomia in rabbits?

A

No effective Tx

Don’t use oral meds - risk of inhalation pneumonia

51
Q

When are prokinetics contraindictated in rabbits?

A

If gut obstruction

After gut surgery (where the lumen of guts has been opened)

52
Q

Give examples of pro kinetics that can be used in rabbits (not after GI surgery or gut impaction)

A

Metoclopramide
Cisapride
Ranitidine
Domperidone

53
Q

Should a rabbit be given supportive feed if it is not eating?

A

Yes - until voluntary eating returns, to ensure gut function and motility maintained
(As long as not obstructed)

54
Q

Any rabbit that is not eating voluntary is presumed to have what % of dehydration?

55
Q

Fluids in a rabbit can be given IV, IO, SC or orally . What rate should they be given?

A

Same as other small animals

2-4ml/kg/hr

56
Q

Should pre and probiotics be given to rabbits?

A

Evidence for and against use - worst case is they don’t work and don’t influence the gut bacteria
Unlikely to cause harm

57
Q

What type of teeth do rabbits have?

A

Hypsodont - no true root, have reserve crowns

Elodont - open rooted, constantly growing

58
Q

Rabbits are diphyodont. What does this mean?

A

2 sets of teeth

1st set lost at/around birth - should never be seen clinically

59
Q

At what rate do teeth grow in the rabbit?

A

1-3mm/week depending on which tooth

60
Q

What are causes of dental disease in rabbits?

A

Congenital - malocclusion
Acquired - anorexia from whatever cause
Trauma - fractured teeth or jaw

61
Q

What are the clinical signs of dental disease in rabbits?

A

Anorexia
Drooling
Teeth grinding
Wet below chin/on front paws
Change in dietary preference - can tell you where the problem is
May be no clinical sign at all until problems advanced

62
Q

What is the treatment for dental disease in rabbits?

A

Make sure gut is working
Correct fluid/electrolyte imbalances
Provide analgesia
Once rabbit is stable, can consider GA, dental x-rays and burring teeth

63
Q

Why should nail clippers or dental clippers not be used to trim rabbit teeth? What should be used instead?

A

Predisposes to sharp edge and fractures (longitudinally down tooth)
Can result in tooth root abscesses

64
Q

Why are dental x-rays important in rabbits?

A

2/3 of tooth within jaw - you can’t see what’s going on until x-ray
Allows you to build a 3D image and plan treatment

65
Q

Abscesses are common in rabbits. What can they be caused by?

A

Secondary to trauma/bite wounds
Post-surgery
Related to dental disease

66
Q

What is the best treatment for abscesses?

A

Radical/complete surgical excision
Primary closure of clean wound (if possible)
Removing affected teeth if dental abscess
Long course of antibiotic - PMMA beads
(Not lancing)

67
Q

Why are rabbits prone to pododermatitis?

A

No footpads

Furred plantar surfaces

68
Q

What factors predispose a rabbit to pododermatitis?

A

Obeisty
Soiled bedding
Wire floors
Rex breed

69
Q

What is the treatment for pododermatitis in rabbits?

A

Treat secondary infection
Analgesia, antibiotics
Surgical intervention if severe
Provide deep bedding

70
Q

What is barbering in rabbits?

A

Rabbit repeatedly plucking hair from itself or others

71
Q

Why may rabbits do barbering?

A

Dominance

Insufficient dietary fibre

72
Q

What is the ear mite in rabbits?

A

Psoroptes caniculi

73
Q

What is the waling dandruff mite in rabbits?

A

Cheyletiella parasitovorax

surface mites, large white scales

74
Q

What species cause fleas in rabbits?

A

Ctenocephalides felis
C. canis
Spilopsyllus caniculi

75
Q

How are fleas treated in rabbits?

A

Imidocloprin - licensed

NOT fipronil = toxicity

76
Q

In what season does myiasis (flystrike) occur in rabbits?

77
Q

Does myiasis (flystrike) occur on normal skin?

78
Q

How is myiasis (flystrike) prevented in rabbits

A

Cyromazine (Rearguard)

79
Q

What species of fly causes myiasis (flystrike)?

A

Lucilia spp

L2 larvae

80
Q

What is the treatment for flystrike/myiasis?

A 
Sedation for thorough examination 
Analgesia
Clip and clean lesions
Insecticidal 
Ivermectin
Surgical intervention/debridement may be required in severe cases
81
Q

What is the etiological agent for rabbit syphilis?

A

Treponema cuniculi

82
Q

What are the clinical signs of rabbit syphilis (Treponema cuniculi)?

A

Genital lesions

Facial lesions - lips, eyelids

83
Q

How is rabbit syphilis transmitted and treated?

A

Sexually transmitted

Tx with parenteral penicillin

84
Q

What etiological agent causes myxomatosis?

A

Poxivirus

Transmitted by insect vectors

85
Q

What are the two forms of myxomatosis?

A

Systemic form - facial and genital oedema

Cutaneous forms

86
Q

What fungal species can cause ringworm in rabbits?

A

Trichophyton metagrophytes
Microsporum canis
ZOONOTIC

87
Q

What are the clinical signs of ringworm in rabbits?

A

Crusty, erythematous alopecia +/- pruritis

Seen in young animals with high stocking densities

88
Q

How are calici viruses in rabbits diagnosed?

A

Post-mortem

PCR on suitable tissue e.g. liver

89
Q

What is the reservoir for RHD-1 in rabbits?

A

European brown hair

90
Q

What are the relative mortality rates for RHD-1 and RHD-2 in rabbits?

A

RHD-1 high mortality

RHD-2 lower mortality rates, longer incubation (but similar clinical signs)

91
Q

What are the clinical signs of RHD-1 in rabbits?

A 
Acute death
Febrile
Severely lethargic
May bleed from nose/mouth
Reverse age susceptibility - young immune until 5-6 wks
92
Q

What is the etiological agent of ‘snuffles’ in rabbits?

A

Pasteurella multocida
+/- other pathogens
Related to stress, husbandry and strains of bacteria present

93
Q

What are the clinical signs of ‘snuffles’ in rabbits?

A

Related to upper respiratory system - nasal discharge, sneezing
Coughing rare
May see abscesses, balanoposthitis, pyometra depending on route of infection

94
Q

What is the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory disease in rabbits?

A

Dx: deep nasal swabs, radiographs
Tx: antibiotics, NSAIDs, fluids, supplemental oxygen, decongestants
Correct husbandry and potential stressors

95
Q

What conditions can cause a head tilt in rabbits?

A

Encephalitozoon cuniculi (protozoa)
Ear infection
Respiratory infection tracking up to middle ear via Eustachain tube
Neurological problem

96
Q

Meclizine and prochlorperazine are what type of drugs?

A

Anti-vertigo drugs

Reduce dizziness and head tilt

97
Q

How can the protozoa Encephalitozoon cuniculi be transmitted?

A

Ingestion
Inhalation
Transplancetal

98
Q

What forms of disease can Encephalitozoon cuniculi cause?

A

Neurological disease

Renal disease

99
Q

What is the treatment for E. cuniculi?

A

Fenbedazole effecting at removing organisms

But clinical signs may persist for yrs after

100
Q

What biochem parameter is key for assessing renal disease in rabbits?

A

Phosphorus

101
Q

How is most calcium excreted in rabbits?

A

In urine

Suspended, not dissolved

102
Q

What is urine sludging in rabbits?

A

Thick paste urine

Due to calcium in urine settling onto ventral bladder wall (if calcium mobility restricted)

103
Q

How can urine sludging in rabbits be treated?

A

Flushing bladder
Medications that alter solubility of calcium salts - you cannot acidify herbivore urine
Fluids!!!
Dietary modification

104
Q

How is urolithiasis treated in rabbits?

A

Surgery
Correct underlying causes
Dietary manipulation

105
Q

What are the clinical signs of phantom pregnancy in rabbits?

A

Nesting
Fur pulling
Lactation

106
Q

Give 2 examples of infectious abortion agent sin rabbits

A

Pasturella

Treponema

107
Q

How does uterine adenocarcinoma develop in rabbits?

A

Repeated empty cycles predispose uterine tissue to become neoplastic
Hyperplasia –> adenoma –> adenocarcinoma

108
Q

What causes mammary neoplasia in rabbits?

A

Intact females

Ovarian remnants post-spay

109
Q

Describe the pathogenesis of adrenal disease in rabbits (similar to ferrets)

A

Gonadotrophins (LH, FSH) remain at stimulatory levels in blood after neutering
No gonads to act on
Receptor formation on adrenal surface = stimulated adrenal glands
(Similar to ferrets)

Exotics (SA) (5 decks)

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