The number of house rabbits in the U.S. continues to grow. One 2014 source estimated there could be 7 million pet rabbits at that time with steady increases in numbers since. Rabbits have a higher risk for anesthesia-related mortality and GI complications as compared with cats and dogs due to certain anatomic, physiologic and behavioral features. David Eshar, DVM, DABVP (ECM), DECZM (SM & ZHM), reviews a retrospective study yielding pearls for practitioners and their teams.
Source: Clinician’s Brief, March 2019. Link. Abbreviated key pearls to put into practice:
- All rabbits should be carefully assessed for cardiopulmonary disease prior to any immobilization procedure.
- Care should be used with overconditioned rabbits presented for routine procedures to avoid drug dose miscalculations.
- If possible, use of medetomidine and ketamine combinations should be avoided.
- All rabbits should be closely monitored for signs of pain, dysphagia, and reduced fecal output in the first 72 hours postanesthesia.
- Clinicians must be aware of the increased odds for less-favorable outcomes in rabbit patients, which should be discussed with all owners prior to initiation of any sedation or anesthetic procedures.