Re: Nursing sick g.pigs & rabbits

Emma.Langton — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:08:58 GMT

Best rabbit protocols we have include

1. Fluids (usually hartmanns/ lactated ringers) 10mls/kg every 4 hours and we tend to place IV catheters so its more comfortable for patient (if you use a small amount of rolled soffban under the ear this stops the ear from folding when taping in place and means no need for a bandage so they are less likely to pull it out) otherwise s/c is fine if you are unable to get an iv line in.

2. Syringe feeding- we use supreme recovery plus 20mls/kg 4 times daily- although depends how well it is tolerated you may have to break this down to smaller feeds more often. always make sure there are plenty of fresh greens on offer to encourage them to eat

3. Analgesia- metacam 1.5mg/kg and buprenorphine 0.02-0.1mg/kg q 6hrs (please check doses)

4. gut mobility- metoclop 0.2-1mg/kg q6-8hrs and ranitidine 2-5mg/kg q8hrs (please check doses)

things like fibreplex can also be quite helpful and I used it for my bunnies after they were spayed.

Exercise should be encouraged regularly as helps improve gut mobilty and bunnies tend to prefer a bottom, large kennel away from predators (isolation wards are usually ideal as they are quiet so the bunny feels safer)

blood glucose is also a good indicator of prognosis (high glucose in rabbits with gut stasis= poor prognosis)

always check temperature too as they may need warming up when first admitted but make sure you don't over heat as rabbits dont tolerate heat well!

Supreme pet food have some free webinars on guinea-pig and rabbit critical care/ anaesthesia and gut stasis which are really helpful so check them out! hope it helps