Page 176 - BSAVA Guide to Pain Management in Small Animal Practice

7 | Pain in rabbits

VetBooks.ir e ex p e Reduced gastrointestinal

motility (gut stasis)

Gut stasis is a common presentation seen in
the pet rabbit, with many di erent causes. Pain
may occur as a result of gastrointestinal
distension or, alternatively, gastrointestinal
motility may be reduced as a consequence of
pain. Providing ade uate analgesia is therefore
vital to break the cycle in these patients.

HISTORY AND PRESENTATION
This rabbit shows signs of severe
A rabbit with gut stasis may present as an abdominal pain as shown by the
acute emergency or, alternatively, the owner hunched posture and abdomen pressed to the oor.
may have noticed subtle behavioural
changes over the preceding few days. analgesia, uid therapy, and supplementary
feeding ± prokinetics, will be indicated and, if
CLINICAL SIGNS an obstruction is suspected, surgical
intervention may be necessary.
Reduced or abnormal faecal output is usually or rabbits with mild signs of pain,
the main sign, often in association with a non steroidal anti in ammatory drugs
reduced appetite. (NSAIDs) are a useful treatment choice.
Meloxicam is the most commonly used
SIGNS OF PAIN NSAID in rabbits, either by the oral or
parenteral route. Although relatively high
Early subtle signs of pain seen in the rabbit doses may be better tolerated in rabbits than
with gut stasis may include slightly depressed in many other species, the risks of renal
behaviour, out of character aggressive toxicity or gastrointestinal ulceration should
behaviour, hiding away, sitting hunched up or be considered, especially in the
bruxism. More severe signs of pain include a hypovolaemic patient, and doses tailored to
lack of interest in surroundings and stretching the individual case.
at out with the abdomen pressed to the oor or rabbits with moderate to severe signs
igure 7. 9 . Respiratory rate and heart rate of pain, a partial opioid agonist such as
may also increase, although not consistently buprenorphine may be used, often in
in every case. combination with an NSAID. There have been
concerns about the e ects of opioids
TREATMENT reducing gastrointestinal motility but, in
practice, the bene cial analgesic e ects more
No matter what the underlying cause, if the than outweigh the potential negative e ects
condition is left to progress untreated, pain on gastrointestinal motility for these patients.
will increase as the gastrointestinal system Doses should, however, be tailored to the
distends. Supportive treatment, including individual to avoid excessive sedation.

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