Has anyone used salbutamol in rabbits?

RE: Has anyone used salbutamol in rabbits?

Charlotte Marshall — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 14:00:18 GMT

The rabbit did have Xrays last year to investigate repeated ileus and was thought to have a bronchial pattern. It has had various treatments. However it seems to have these occasional episodes of dyspnoea which tend to happen in summer . We thought a bronchodilator may help these acute episodes. However I guess the answer to my original question seems to be no! The BSAVA rabbit manual does mention using inhaled steroids and possibly terbutaline but I certainly was not planning on giving this rabbit any steroids.

RE: Has anyone used salbutamol in rabbits?

Marie Kubiak — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 18:39:48 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

[quote user="Marie Kubiak"] It appears allergy is very rare in rabbits,[/quote]I would always bow to your greater knowledge Marie but it appears odd this one is seasonal if its any of the things you've suggested. But I agree I wouldn't treat it without at least an X-ray and a BAL.

[/quote]

I have seen chronic slowly progressive or static issues appear 'seasonal' - usually just because limited function is tolerated most of the time but high temperatures cause decompensation, or because in summer owners put them outside and their activity levels increase or temperatures vary more. Rabbits are also rubbish at heat loss! (I do actually like rabbits despite my constant criticism of them, but I feel they are strong evidence against intelligent design...)

RE: Has anyone used salbutamol in rabbits?

TasosX — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 16:41:19 GMT

The problem with corticosteroids either topical or systemic (unless we are talking about skin or eyes) is that they can exacerbate bacterial infection, especially in a rabbit's lung or sinuses which are naturally infested with pasteurella sub-clinically.

U can use antihistamines - hydroxine 2mg/kg every 8-12h, diphenhydramine 2 mg/kg 8-12h

- all anecdotal -

RE: Has anyone used salbutamol in rabbits?

TasosX — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 15:43:59 GMT

its a good question to search biblio whether rabbits do actually get allergies

RE: Has anyone used salbutamol in rabbits?

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 10:58:41 GMT

RE: Has anyone used salbutamol in rabbits?

Marie Kubiak — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 19:14:53 GMT

I have had a fair few rabbits referred for 'allergic airway disease' and every single one has had an underlying condition (infectious, neoplastic and cardiac most frequently). It appears allergy is very rare in rabbits, their immune systems are pretty ineffective after all.

I'd look to get some chest rads and a BAL to confirm allergy or identify an alternative cause before trying to form a treatment plan.

Marie

RE: Has anyone used salbutamol in rabbits?

Robin Grimmer — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 10:16:52 GMT

I think corticosteroids are generally a no no in rabbits. I'm sure Marie will be along with some advice.

RE: Has anyone used salbutamol in rabbits?

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 10:10:14 GMT

[quote user="Rob Davis"]

Would you not be concerned about using inhaled steroids in a rabbit given the high incidence of sub-clinical pateurella infections?

[/quote]It was only a suggestion, I have no experience in using this in rabbits, obviously there has to a risk assessment, depends how dyspnoic this bunny gets.

RE: Has anyone used salbutamol in rabbits?

Rob Davis — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 09:59:26 GMT

Would you not be concerned about using inhaled steroids in a rabbit given the high incidence of sub-clinical pateurella infections?

RE: Has anyone used salbutamol in rabbits?

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 09:33:37 GMT

I would suggest trying an Aerokat inhalation chamber with Flixotide inhaler for maintenance and Ventolin for acute bouts as you would for an asthmatic cats with an off-licence form signed of course!