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"Little One" Becomes a "Fiesty Little One"
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"Little
One" is a one and a half year old dwarf rabbit
that was brought to Southpointe Veterinary Hospital
for a complete physical exam and evaluation for
neuter. "Little One" appeared to be
in good physical condition, but was starting to
exhibit some "fiesty" behavior. Castrating
and spaying of rabbits is often recommended to
prevent breeding and unwanted litters, burrowing,
pyometra (infected uterus), neoplasia of reproductive
organs, testicular infection, urine spraying,
and aggression. Male rabbits can be highly territorial
and often show profound personality changes upon
reaching sexual maturity.
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Little One (select to enlarge)
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Changes in behavior may include excessive biting,
increased territoriality, and aggression towards
other rabbits. Intact males may also begin urine
spraying to mark their territory. Castration,
if performed on a young animal, will usually eliminate
all of these undesirable behaviors. Castration
can also become necessary with testicular abscessation
(infection) often caused by Pasturella multocida.
Castrated rabbits maintain playful, affectionate
personalities and can make better household pets.
There are many differences between rabbits and
other domesticated companion animals, such as
cats and dogs. Rabbits can be masters at hiding
illness and are remarkably able to appear normal
when they are not. Therefore, a thorough physical
exam and history needs to be obtained, even if
the rabbit is presented for a routine "well-rabbit"
type of procedure. Sometimes pre-surgical laboratory
testing and/or X-rays may be required.
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In addition, rabbits should
not be fasted for more than 2 to 4 hours prior
to surgery since they are unable to vomit. A short
fasting period will help to reduce the effect
of a full stomach on a rabbit's limited respiratory
reserve and reduce the quantity of food particles
left in the mouth. Fasting longer than 4 hours
increases the chance of gut stasis (severely decreased
gut movement) post-surgically.
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Surgery (select to enlarge)
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Not only are rabbits easily stressed
during preoperative handling, but they can also
be difficult to safely sedate or anesthetize. Individual
rabbits can have varying sensitivity to the depressant
effects of anesthetics. The apparent sensitivity
of the rabbit's respiratory center to anesthetic
drugs and the narrow range between anesthetic and
toxic doses in this species add to the unpredictable
character of rabbit anesthesia. The combined effects
of stress and anesthesia can result in cardiopulmonary
failure especially if there is a pre-existing lung
infection with Pasteurella multocida (often referred
to as "Snuffles" in rabbits) which may
or may not be clinically apparent. In addition,
rabbits are especially susceptible to the complications
of dehydration (blood and fluid loss), low body
temperature, shock, ileus (decreased intestinal
motility), renal, and respiratory depression.
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Since rabbits can be so unpredictable under anesthesia,
"Little One's" heart and respiratory
rates were monitored very closely by one of our
licensed veterinary technicians. He was also placed
on a recirculating warm water blanket during surgery
to help maintain body temperature. "Little
One's" surgery went very well and he was
given pain medication prior to recovery.
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Little One
(select to enlarge)
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During recovery, "Little
One" was kept confined in a quiet area to
reduce stress and prevent spinal injury and fractures.
It is critical to get rabbits eating soon after
surgery to prevent liver problems and gut shut
down (which can be fatal in rabbits). We offered
"Little One" grass hay and some of his
other favorite foods. We also sent home Critical
Care (a liquid diet) in case he didn't eat well
at home. "Little One" recovered very
well after his neuter and both he and his owners
are enjoying a more serene home life.
Please feel free to contact our knowledgeable
staff if you have any questions regarding rabbit
nutrition, care, medical issues, and/or anesthesia
& surgery.
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