Plasma concentrations of meloxicam for rabbits
in the present study were proportionally higher than those previously reported for rabbits
receiving 0.2 mg of meloxicam/kg and were similar to those determined for animals of
other species that received clinically effective doses. A dose of 1 mg/kg may be necessary
to achieve clinically effective circulating concentrations of meloxicam in rabbits, although
further studies are needed. (Am J Vet Res 2013;74:636–641)

We propose to go through the standard medical management process of these cases by first discussing initial assessment and stabilization followed by diagnosis of underlying causes and finishing with treatment across various severities.

Hyper-sexual behaviour in desexed rabbits may have a medical cause…

Thymomas are slow growing neoplasms in the cranial mediastinum that can pose life-threatening complications to rabbit patients. Although the incidence of this condition is thought to be low, clinicians and nurses should be aware of the symptoms and morbidity associated with this condition in order to provide rabbits with the correct treatment options.

NZ Vet Martin Earles shares great recommendations for handling, examining and treating rabbits

BVZS, supported by the RWAF, consider conscious dental treatment in rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas to be inappropriate.

A comprehensive webinar presentation by Dr Sophie Jenkins covering pain management in rabbits.

Dermatological complaints are common reasons for small mammals to present for veterinary care.

While visiting the vet can be stressful for any animal, something as seemingly simple as a routine checkup tends to trigger more anxiety in rabbits than many other species. As a prey species, rabbits are also more susceptible to unpleasant physiological effects of stress than other animals.

Dental disease is one of the most common reasons pet rabbits present to veterinary clinics. It can produce a wide variety of clinical signs and varies in severity.

This guideline has been developed to ensure the wellbeing of rabbits exhibiting signs of gastrointestinal stasis. The main goal is to provide information on how to recognise, manage and treat cases of gastrointestinal stasis in rabbits. Additionally, this guideline aims to establish a humane endpoint where euthanasia is indicated in order to alleviate suffering when necessary and to reduce premature euthanasia of Animals

Stress in rabbits is often caused by poor health and welfare standards, including inappropriate environment, lack of companionship and poor handling techniques.

The lagomorph eye is a very complex organ, composed of many structures which work together to permit sight, with specific adaptations to suit the prey species. Rabbits are often presented as first opinion patients with chronic eye problems; they are prone to a number of conditions and often show signs of ocular discharge, blepharospasm and peri-ocular swelling.

It is imperative that RVNs are able to provide exemplary care to these patients. It is important that rabbits be treated according to their physiological needs, in order to minimise stress and improve survival rates in the peri-anaesthetic period.

Rabbit anaesthetics are often considered challenging and have the reputation for being unsuccessful and difficult. The success of a rabbit anaesthetic rests more on planning, monitoring and additional supportive treatments than the choice of drugs with the exception of analgesia.

Rabbits have a highly specialized digestive tract and consequently they develop different digestive problems to those seen in cats and dogs. Diet, stress and pain can all play a role in the development of gastrointestinal stasis, a disease characterized by reduced motility of the digestive tract

Pet rabbits are often presented for symptoms of anorexia and reduced fecal output, a clinical presentation that is commonly termed “Gastrointestinal (GI) Stasis”.

Reproductive disease in small exotic mammals is a fairly common occurrence and can be quite alarming to the client, especially when haemorrhage occurs.

Cardiac disease is a relatively common presentation in small exotic mammals; how should you approach these cases?

An overview of pain and analgesia in rabbits with the aim of developing a more accurate understanding of these topics and to illustrate and discuss the areas that have advanced in recent years and those that still require further research.