Enterotoxaemia Treatment - Rabbit

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Synopsis of treatment for enterotoxaemia and bacterial enteritis

  • Warmth up to 27°C
  • Fluid therapy
    • Hartmann’s is probably better than dextrose-containing fluids (Clostridial toxins “feed” on monosaccharides)
    • intravenous or intraosseous.
    • maintenance = 100ml/kg/day
  • Analgesia
    • buprenorphine
    • butorphanol
    • carprofen
  • Cholestyramine resin (Questran, Bristol-Myers Pharmaceuticals) - rabbit must be well-hydrated because the same chain of events occur when ispaghula husk (psyllium) is given to rabbits (see anatomy and physiology of the digestive tract).
  • Antibiotics are indicated if it is a true bacterial enteritis but should be avoided if Salmonbella sp. is isolated.
  • Probiotics. Lactobacillus spp are claimed to attach to mucosa and compete with pathogenic bacteria.
  • Transfaunation
    • Caecotrophs collected from a healthy rabbit
    • Elizabethan collars
    • Fed whole to maintain the protective mucus coating
  • Rabbits with diarrhoea should never be starved
    • Ad lib hay and leafy greens. Dandelions, parsley, freshly pulled (not cut) grass and groundsel
    • Assisted feeding – commercial high fibre products for herbivores are available (eg). Most rabbits will accept food orally may be necessary.
    • Vitamin C may be of use in limiting the absorption of iota toxins and improving mucosal integrity
    • Oxbow Critical care for herbivores,
    • Supreme Recovery Diet via a syringe or nasogastric intubation


References

  • Bell, J. C., Palmer, S. R. and Payne, J. M. (1988). The Zoonoses. Edward Arnold, London. ISBN 0-7131-4561-7
  • Carman, R. J. (1994) Clostridial enteropathies of rabbits. Journal of Small Exotic Animal Medicine. 2 (4), 179-181
  • Okerman, L. (1994) Diseases of Domestic Rabbits. Blackwell Scientific Publications ISBN 0-632-03804 -7. 2nd Edition
  • Walden, N. B. (1990) Rabbits - A Compendium. The T.G. Hungerford Vade Mecum Series for Domestic Animals. Series C Number 13 Published by the University of Sydney Post Graduate Foundation In Veterinary Science March 1990 ISBN 0909973 80 6 ISN 0812 0048


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