Rabbits
Rabbits are popular pets. They are not in the rodent family, but have been assigned their own special group, the lagomorphs. With a proper diet and good husbandry, they can live for 5-6 years or more. Rabbits should eat primarily
timothy hay, and they may be offered timothy hay-based pellets and small amounts of vegetables (sprouts, beet greens, carrots and carrot tops, green peppers, parsley, romaine, kale, outer cabbage leaves, pea pods, squash and dandelion leaves), and small amounts of high-fiber fruit (apple, peach plum, pear, melon, raspberry papaya, strawberry and pineapple).
1. Most people have heard of the rabbit disease called snuffles. Snuffles is often one clinical manifestation of the group of diseases caused by the bacterial organism called Pasteurella. Many clinically normal rabbits are harboring the Pasteurella organism and the incidence of disease increases as the rabbit ages. The Pasteurella bacterium usually causes respiratory disease, but it may also cause
ear infections, pneumonia, heart problems, abscesses, genital infections, eye problems, septicemia and chronic infections. Rabbits with snuffles often have bouts of sneezng, with a yellowish, thick discharge, and due to constant grooming, the fur around the nostrils and on the insides of the forepaws will be stained with yellowish mucus. Rabbits may make sonorous noises. If the eyes are affected, the lids may have a crusty discharge and the eyes may tear excessively. Diagnosis may be made by several different testing methods. Other bacterial organisms may cause the same clinical signs as snuffles, so diagnosis by DNA PCR technology, culturing, blood titers or a combination of these is important to ascertain the bacterium causing the problems, in order to correctly treat it.
Since snuffles is caused by a bacterium, there is a slight chance that the Pasteurella organism can be passed to a person handling the rabbit, usually through a scratch or bite. However, most healthy people will not acquire this infection due to their immune system's ability to fight off this bacterium. If you suspect that you may have acquired an infection from a pet, it is always best to contact your human physician for advice.
Treatment with appropriate antibiotics (usually given orally as a liquid or pill, but occasionally by injection) may result in improvement of clinical signs, but it is unlikely that the bacteria will be completely removed from an infected rabbit, and it will likely relapse from time to time, requiring additional treatment.
2. Ear mites are frequently encountered in rabbits. Ear mites cause severe inflammation and crusting in the ears which results in a very painful condition. Affected rabbits scratch at the ears and shake their heads, which may cause additional trauma to the ears. In a weakened, ill animal, the mites can spread to other areas of the body, especially the area under the tail, the legs and feet. The mites may be identified with the naked eye, with the aid of magnification or by examination of a smear of ear debris under the microscope. Treatment should be administered by a veterinarian. The most common medication used is ivermectin, given by injection every 2 weeks for at least 3 treatments. The ears should NOT be cleaned out since they are very painful and will bleed excessively. All rabbits that have been in contact with the infested rabbit should be examined and treated if necessary. The bedding should be changed and the entire cage disinfected to prevent reinfestation.
3. Hairballs (also called wool-block or trichobezoars) may occur in rabbits from fur chewing, and are more commonly seen in rabbits being fed a high carbohydrate, low fiber diet that grooms excessively. Rabbits with hairballs have decreased or no appetite, scant stool production (or no stool at all) and a large stomach (filled with hair and stomach contents). The vet may be able to feel a large, doughy mass in the stomach. Radiographs may be helpful. Large amounts of gas may be found in the stomach. Treatment should consist of giving the rabbit oral fluids and often sub-cutaneous fluids, as well. The rabbit should be force-fed fluids such as fruit juice, water and vegetable purees (fruit and vegetable baby foods). Medication to stimulate stomach contractions is often helpful. Protein-digesting enzymes such as bromelain and papain found in pineappple have been used for treatment. If necessary, antibiotics will be prescribed. Rarely, surgery may be required to remove a hard, dry mass in the stomach that doesn't respond to medical treatment.
4. Fractured bones can occur in a rabbit. A rabbit should always have its hind end supported when it is lifted up or carried. A frightened rabbit may kick the hind legs when being picked up, and if the back end isn't supported, this may result in a broken back, or less commonly, a dislocated back. Depending on the severity of the injury, the rabbit may become paralyzed in the hind end, it may suffer from loss of bowel and bladder control and it may lose sensation in the hind end. Occasionally, bones of the limb may break from a fall or from being stepped on. Physical exam and radiographs will confirm the diagnosis. Treatment may be attempted with splints, cage rest and medications, or surgery may be necessary.
5. Dental problems usually occur from teeth that don't line up correctly (this is called malocclusion). The teeth of rabbits are different than those of dogs, cats and people in that they grow continually throughout the animal's life. If the teeth aren't aligned properly, they will not wear down at the correct rate, resulting in weight loss due to problems eating. This is not just a problem of the front incisors, as the back molars can overgrow as well. Routine examination of every rabbit should include examination of all the teeth. Overgrown teeth can be trimmed using a variety of drills or cutters. Teeth will need to be trimmed on a regular schedule in order for a rabbit to eat properly. Removal of overgrown teeth may be elected, as this provides a permanent solution to the problem. Extractions must be performed under general anesthesia. Rarely, a portion of the tooth root may be inadvertently left behind, allowing the tooth to regrow. Re-extraction may be attempted once the tooth has regrown to a suitable length.
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