View source for Enterotoxaemia Treatment - Rabbit

==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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[[Category:To Do - Exotics]][[Category:To Do - Medium]]
[[Category:Enteropathies_-_Rabbit]]