Page 178 - BSAVA Guide to Pain Management in Small Animal Practice

7 | Pain in rabbits

VetBooks.ir CASE EXAMPLE CONTINUED TREATMENT

continue to eat normally even with fairly large Abscesses can grow quickly into large
facial abscesses and appetite may only be space-occupying lesions often involving
reduced as a consequence of concurrent multiple teeth and underlying bone. Surgical
dental disease. treatment will usually be required, although
in most cases ongoing medical management
SIGNS OF PAIN will also be necessary. Adequate analgesia
is vital and initial treatment with a non-
Signs of pain are not always apparent with steroidal anti in ammatory drug
dental abscesses. Some rabbits may react to buprenorphine is recommended.
palpation of the abscess site or strongly or long term treatment of ongoing
resist oral medication. Grooming behaviour abscesses, tramadol or gabapentin may
may also be reduced leading to secondary also be considered for use in rabbits. E ective
skin problems. doses have not yet been proven in this
species, but clinician experience appears
to indicate a reduction in signs of pain in
many individuals.

173

Ch07i Pain Management.indd 173 19/12/2018 10:46