Be vewy vewy quiet…

1. Be vewy vewy quiet… We’we anesthetizing wabbits. Selina Balding & C. J. Weideman

2. Why use anesthesia in Rabbits?

3. That’s a very BAD BUNNY!!! (No yogurt drops for him)

4. Why ELSE would you anesthetize a rabbit??? • Common surgical procedures • Neutering (“Gee doc, my rabbit made love to my slipper SIX TIMES last night!”) • Spaying (“The kids have seen the miracle of life 5 times this year already!”) • Dental work • Trichobezoars (Hairballs) • Tumor removal, wound treatment, etc…

5. Pre-operative considerations • Basic Husbandry • Body weight, diet, caging/housing, companions • To fast, or not to fast? • Pre-Sx Bloodwork • Serum chemistry profile • +/- CBC depending on procedure • Bare minimum (in our opinion): TS, PCV, Glucose • Accurate weight (Duh!)

6. Possible Pre-medications & induction agents • Ketamine/Diazepam • 0.2-0.5 mg/kg Diaz. IV then 10-15 mg/kg Ket. to effect. • Acepromazine • 0.75-1.0 mg/kg IM • (No, the decimal points are NOT in the wrong place). • Many other possibilities/combinations. • Telazol not recommended • At higher doses, can be nephrotoxic.

7. Intubation • Unless rabbit is very large, intubation is blind • Lidocaine splash is possible with visualization in large rabbits • Most rabbits masked, not intubated • Practice, practice, practice…

8. Inhalant Anesthetic Agents • Isoflurane • Inhalant of choice • Can induce with Iso alone • Induction: 3-5% • Maintenance: 1.5-1.75% • Halothane • Induction: 3-4% • Maintenance: 0.5-2% • Sevoflurane • To effect • More expensive

9. Surgical considerations • Bain system is preferred over re-breathing system • Chest elevation • Temperature—monitor frequently to avoid bunny-cicles • Fluids • If procedure > ½ hour. • 5-10 ml/kg/hr crystalloid fluids, add 5% dextrose • Monitor as in other species (Pulse, respiration, etc) • May need to use stainless steel sutures to prevent post-op complications (Remember: Rabbits chew!)

10. Post Operative Care • Keep warm, but not too warm—we aren’t dealing with tropical species here! • QUIET!!! • May or may not need to isolate from other rabbits • Feed • Blenderize regular pelleted feed with water. • Can also be done with veggies, greens, etc • Last resort: Canned, strained pumpkin (without pie spice!) • Pain management

11. Daytona International Speedway

12. Policing Pain

13. Why should we care? • Decreasing pain can shorten recovery time • Rabbits in pain may not eat, possibly leading to gastric ulcers and/or GI stasis • Remember: • “…above all DO NO HARM…” • Imagine getting yourself castrated or hysterectomized with no pain killers…

14. Signs of Pain • Bunnies can’t say OWEEEEE! • Reduced feed/water intake • Lack of grooming • Hunched position and refusal to move • Put head in corner/hide • Abnormal aggression towards handlers/companions • Vocalization on handling • Not consuming “cecals” • Tooth grinding

15. Means of Alleviating Pain • Warm compress • Soft resting area/bedding • Medical management • Many, many options. • See next slide. Disclaimer: We do not condone the use of illicit substances for pain management in animals.

16. Pain killers • NSAIDS • Acetaminophen—alone or in combination with codeine • Aspirin • Carprofen—for chronic joint pain • Flunixin meglumine—use for no more than 3 days • Ibuprofen—GI side effects common • Opioids • Buprenorphine, Butorphanol • Morphine • Many many others….

17. So many drugs—How do I choose the right one? • Many analgesics can be used in rabbits • Check a formulary for the dose and side effects • Avoid those with GI side effects • Plumb does have doses for rabbits

18. When all else fails… Euthanasia

19. Means of euthanasia • Consider the owners feelings • They may not want to see you “fishing” for veins • Anesthetic overdose—can use gas anesthetics • Carbon Dioxide • Other means… See next slide

20. Wecommended ONLY for wild (wascally) wabbits!!! Wabbit swayer!!!

21. Final disposition • Depending on cause of death and/or illness—necropsy? • The owner may want to take the body • They may want you to dispose of it… • Normal rendering service. • Others… See upcoming slides

22. If healthy, and gassed down with CO2… The circle of life… Especially if you’re involved with wildlife rehab Not recommended for people’s pets.

23. 2-3 cottontail rabbits 3 potatoes--diced 1 handful baby carrots 1 handful corn 1 handful peas 1 ½ cups flour 1 ½ cups water Salt & Pepper to taste 2 tsp. Garlic powder 1 tsp. Paprika Peel meat from rabbit carcasses. (It’s a good idea to make sure you get all the shot out at this point.) Coat meat with flour/seasonings and place in crock pot. Add veggies to crock pot. Add water. Cook on low-medium heat for 6-8 hours. Add 1-2 tsp corn starch, as needed, after cooking—to thicken broth/gravy. Best served with Biscuits. And for the one Elmer got…

24. References • Hillyer EV, Quesenberry KE. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents, Clinical Medicine and Surgery. Saunders, Philadelphia. 1997. • Carpenter JW, Mashima TY, Rupiper DJ. Exotic Animal Formulary, Second Edition. Saunders, Philadelphia. 2001 • Cantwell, SL. Ferret, Rabbit, and Rodent Anesthesia. The Veterinary Clinics of North America, Exotic Animal Practice, Analgesia and Anesthesia. Saunders, Philadelphia. 2001. pp. 169-191. • Kris Springsteen, LVT