Utilization of cholestyramine resin as a preventive treatment for antibiotic (clindamycin) induced enterotoxaemia in the rabbit

Gastrointestinal Diseases of Rabbits

Gastrointestinal stasis syndrome is a very common presentation of an ill rabbit to the veterinarian. The causes involved in this syndrome are often multifactorial, and an inappropriate diet puts the rabbit at a greater risk of developing this syndrome. Complications of this disorder can lead to gastrointestinal obstruction, a life-threatening condition that necessitates aggressive medical and in some case surgical therapy. Rabbits may also be presented with signs of diarrhea. However, abnormal cecotrophs must be differentiated from true intestinal diarrhea. The common causes, diagnosis and management of diarrhea including dysbiosis and enteritis are discussed. Other important causes of gastrointestinal disease are infectious disease and liver lobe torsion. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus has a new variant that has been identified in mainland Europe, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Subclinical infection of intestinal coccidiosis is a common cause of weight loss in adult rabbits. Liver lobe torsion is a challenging condition to diagnose in rabbits; this chapter discusses the presenting signs, diagnostic techniques, and therapeutic options.

Therapeutic Contraindications in Exotic Pets

The selection and dosing of medications for exotic pets are often challenging because most drugs are used in an extralabel manner without pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies. Doses are often extrapolated from common domestic animals and safety data are often lacking in exotic species. Just as the bioavailability and therapeutic levels are different for each species, what may be a safe and commonly used medication in one species can be deadly in another. Various drugs with documented contraindications in certain exotic pet species are outlined in this review and the pathophysiology, clinical signs, and treatment options are described when applicable.

Biology and Diseases of Rabbits

Beginning in 1931, an inbred rabbit colony was developed at the Phipps Institute for the Study, Treatment and Prevention of Tuberculosis at the University of Pennsylvania. This colony was used to study natural resistance to infection with tuberculosis (Robertson et al., 1966). Other inbred colonies or well-defined breeding colonies were also developed at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Center for Genetics, the Laboratories of the International Health Division of The Rockefeller Foundation, the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, and Jackson Laboratories. These colonies were moved or closed in the years to follow. Since 1973, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has reported the total number of certain species of animals used by registered research facilities (1997). In 1973, 447,570 rabbits were used in research. There has been an overall decrease in numbers of rabbits used. This decreasing trend started in the mid-1990s. In 2010, 210,172 rabbits were used in research. Despite the overall drop in the number used in research, the rabbit is still a valuable model and tool for many disciplines.

Critical care of the rabbit

Emergency and critical care principles are similar for all mammals. However, because they are stressed easily, rabbits require specialized handling techniques. Rabbits must be evaluated efficiently and stabilized quickly before moving into the definitive diagnostic phase of their care. A thorough clinical history, systematic physical examination, and multiple diagnostic tests are ideal, but when a rabbit is in critical condition, emergency stabilization and fluid resuscitation must take priority. Common emergency presentations include gastrointestinal disorders, such as prolonged anorexia, respiratory distress, neoplasia, neurologic symptoms, exposure to toxins, trauma, and urinary tract infections or obstruction.

Rodent therapeutics

Although the number of rodents kept as pets is increasing in the United States, much of the veterinary information that is known regarding their care is derived from laboratory animal medicine. This article describes individual species variation of medication delivery methods and the associated risks of antibiotic usage. A comprehensive formulary is also included.

Therapeutics for rabbits

A variety of pharmacologic agents are currently available to treat house rabbits. In many cases, dosages are based on extrapolation from other species or empirical data. Dosing in rabbits is further complicated by individual variation. An understanding of rabbit physiology and the pharmacology of prescribed medications helps ensure that the agents are used as effectively and safely as possible. In this article, basic rabbit pharmacobiology is reviewed and techniques for drug administration are described. A formulary for house rabbits is provided.