Rabbit pulling fur out

Re: Rabbit pulling fur out

Fiona French — Mon, 02 May 2011 11:25:00 GMT

Carprofen dose seems to be the same regardless of species - 4mg/kg seems to be recommended for everything.

Re: Rabbit pulling fur out

Michael Woodhouse — Sun, 01 May 2011 23:04:05 GMT

Thanks for the info guys.

Do we increase the dose of carprofen too? I'd used that at 4mg/kg injected, just like dogs and cats.

Re: Rabbit pulling fur out

Charlotte Marshall — Sun, 01 May 2011 19:56:30 GMT

Not checked the current formulary but the last edition (pink) quoted 0.3 - 0.6 mg/kg for rabbits. I have been quoted 0.6 - 1 mg/kg in some rabbit medicine notes. I always use 0.6 mg/kg and have seen rabbits on this sort of dose for long periods of time with no problems. I think it is that whole body surface area thing as doses of 1 - 2mg/kg are quoted for rats and mice!

Re: Rabbit pulling fur out

CatherineThomas — Sun, 01 May 2011 19:26:16 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]

HOW MUCH?

I have always used the dog injectable dose [0.2mg/kg] in bunnies. Just checked the BSAVA formulary, BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets and the Veterinary Formulary and they all side with me. I'm no bunny expert.

[/quote]

If you speak to the rabbit experts they'll tell you that rabbits need much higher doses to achieve reasonable analgesia, fortunately they are also much less sensitive to side effects. I usually use around 0.5 - 0.6mg/kg.

Re: Rabbit pulling fur out

Mark Hedberg — Sun, 01 May 2011 07:47:08 GMT

Remember, the oral meloxicam is 1.5mg/ml, not 5 mg/ml, so this is a high but not insane dose. :)

Re: Rabbit pulling fur out

Michael Woodhouse — Sun, 01 May 2011 00:42:19 GMT

[quote user="David Mills"]Short trial of meloxicam at a decent dose (for dog, 10x weight on dose syringe (i.e. for 3kg bunny, dose as for 30kg dog) SID) will give you an answer after a week. [/quote]

HOW MUCH?

Re: Rabbit pulling fur out

David Mills — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 01:10:15 GMT

Have had occasional ones that do it due to occult pain - OA of the LS area/ongoing cystitis. Short trial of meloxicam at a decent dose (for dog, 10x weight on dose syringe (i.e. for 3kg bunny, dose as for 30kg dog) SID) will give you an answer after a week.

Re: Rabbit pulling fur out

Richard Carter — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:20:57 GMT

Nesting can be linked with daylight length / season regardless of presence of ovaries but then they do make a 'nest' of the fur rather than just pluck themselves bald.

Re: Rabbit pulling fur out

Claire Edgington — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:14:18 GMT

She's in with another neutered female.

Re: Rabbit pulling fur out

Vikki Halliday LLB — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:00:18 GMT

Is is housed alone or with another rabbit?

Single housed rabbits can show this a sign of stress, but likewise rabbits where they are housed in pairs may also do this as a sign of incompatibility/conflict.

Re: Rabbit pulling fur out

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:13:38 GMT

I had one like this with similar signs. sent it to a dermatologist that I know. I had used ivomec etc and no improvement but was convinced that it could be mite related. He suggested a trial with stronghold (off label) 2 weekly. This made no difference so it was suggested that it may be behavioural or possibly atopy! The bunny seems to cope with a little hair loss, not quite sure what I'll do if it gets worse, zylkene? dex? antihists?