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