Treating small mammals Flashcards
What are the clinical signs of myxomatosis
Swelling, redness and/or ulcers.
Nasal and eye discharge.
Blindness
Respiratory signs e.g. dyspnoea
Lethargy and anorexia.
What are the clinical signs of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD)?
Sudden death
Anorexia
Lethargy
Neurological signs
Internal bleeding
Jaundice
Describe the vaccination plan for rabbits
One initial vaccine at 7 week old.
Yearly booster.
When should rabbits be neutured?
Males: from 12 weeks old
Females: from 16 weeks old
Give examples of anthelmintics licensed in rabbits
Panacur (fenbendazole)
Baycox (toltrazuril) - not licensed
Give examples of anti-ectoparasite medications used in rabbits
Advantage (imidacloprid) - Licenced
Stronghold (selamectin) - no licenced
Advocate (imidacloprid/moxidectin) - not licenced
Xeno (ivermectin) - licenced
What commonly used ectoparasite medication is toxic to rabbits?
Frontline (fipronil)
What do we vaccinate rabbits against?
myxomatosis
rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD)
How can infectious disease be managed in small mammals?
Reduce stocking density
Improve ventilation
Routine surveillance
Preventative meds e.g., vaccinations
Biosecurity e.g., closed groups
Isolating infected animals
Quarantine and/or test new animals
How is myxomatosis spread?
biting insects
direct contact
fomites
How is myxomatosis treated?
supportive care (no cure)
protected via vaccination
When should antiparasitic medication be used in small mammals?
Only use to treat a clinical problem - do not use preventative worming as this is not common and can increase resistance
How can small mammal ectoparasite infection be monitored?
Faecal egg counts every 3-6mnths
Skin work ups to diagnose e.g., skin scrapes, tape strips, hair plucks
How is RHD transmitted?
Fomites
Direct contact
What are the underlying causes of gut stasis in small mammals?
Pain
Stress
Incorrect diet e.g., obesity => unable to eat caecotrophs
Lack of caecotrophy
Gastrointestinal bacterial Infection,viral, parasites etc
What is the treatment for gut stasis?
Analgesia
Syringe feeds:
- nutrition
- oral fluids
- stimulates gut motility
- probiotics
Prokinetics:
- Metoclopramide
- Ranitidine
- Cisapride (first choice)
What antibiotics are safe to use in small mammals?
Metronidazole
Fluoroquinolones (except pradofloxacin)
Tetracyclines
Sulfonamides
Macrolides (except erthromycin)
Injectable penicillin (never oral)
What antibiotics should be avoided in rabbits?
Co-amoxyclav (synulox) - oral penicillin toxic
Are bordatella and pasteurella more common in rabbits or guinea pigs?
Bordatella - guinea pigs
Pasteurella - rabbits
What antibiotics are effective against pasteurella?
Penicillin G
Enrofloxacin
Trimethoprim-sulfonamides
Metranidazole is not effective as it is for anaerobes (pasteurella is anaerobe)
Give an example of a first line antibiotic licensed in rabbits
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (oral Sulfatrim)
Why do exotic vets use penicillin G often?
Sensible first line antibiotic
Safe if injected (toxic if oral)
Licensed for pasteurella (in cattle)
Baytril and sulfatrim have been tried by the point of referral
What are the key points for giving penicillin injections to rabbits
must not be ingested = fatal
clean thoroughly if there is spillage (companion rabbits groom)
Bring sharps back to practice
Off licence consent form must be signed by owner
What is happening to this rabbit?
(hind) gut stasis
Gas build up in intestines
not the same as bloat (gas build up in stomach)
