Rabbit Medicine and Surgery Q&A 08

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A two-year-old neutered female presents with a one-day history of anorexia and mild depression. Clinical examination is unremarkable except for a slightly distended abdomen and lack of borborygmi. A lateral abdominal radiograph is taken.

Question	Answer		Article
What condition is seen in this radiograph?	Widespread gaseous distension of the intestines indicates that non-obstructive ileus is present.		Link to Article
What factors can affect gut motility?	Control of GI motility is complex. Motility is under the influence of the autonomic nervous system, prostaglandins and other hormones such as motilin. Autonomic nervous control is coordinated by the fusus coli in the colon. Motilin, which enhances motility, is inhibited by high-carbohydrate diets. However, it is largely stimulated and maintained by a high throughput of non-digestible fibre (lignocellulose). Factors leading to decreased motility include: lack of dietary fibre; high dietary carbohydrate; anorexia; chronic dehydration; sudden change of diet; environmental stressors (e.g. proximity of predators, proximity of a dominant/competitive rabbit, change/ destabilization of group hierarchy, change of housing, transport, extremes of weather/temperature, loss of a companion); pain; postsurgical adhesions; ingestion of toxins (e.g. lead); foreign body.		Link to Article
What treatment would you initiate?	Treatment should consist of: Fluid therapy - to maintain the circulation and to rehydrate GI contents. In mild cases, oral fluids may be all that is required, but in more severe cases intravenous fluids are indicated. Maintenance volumes are100 ml/kg/day. Analgesia – buprenorphine (0.01–0.05 mg/kg s/c or i/v q8h), butorphanol (0.1–0.5 mg/kg s/c or i/v q2–4h), carprofen (2–4 mg/kg s/c or i/v q24h), meloxicam (0.3–0.6 mg/kg s/c or p/o q24h). Motility modifiers – metoclopramide (0.5 mg/kg s/c q12h), cisapride (0.5 mg/kg p/o q12h), ranitidine (2–5 mg/kg p/o q12–24h). Assisted feeding – commercially available high-fibre herbivore recovery diets, slurries of ground rabbit pellets, vegetable baby foods. Always offer hay. Exercise – helps to stimulate GI motility. Simethicone (20–40 mg/kg p/o q6h) may be useful if large amounts of gas are present.		Link to Article