Rabbit Medicine
Rabbits are of the family Lagomorph. They live from 5 to 10 years. The normal body temperature is about 100 to 104 degrees F. Their pulse and respirations are high. Rabbit are obligate nasal breathers. They are heat intolerant and cannot sweat. Their large ears allow them to dissipate heat.
The teeth grow continuously throughout the life of the rabbit. They have a strong preference for bitter greens but also a sweet tooth! Wild rabbits can discern toxic plants from non-toxic plants but domesticated rabbits cannot. Rabbits cannot vomit.
Rabbits in the wild are prey and have developed an instinct for hiding their illnesses and injuries, it is important for rabbit owners to become familiar with their pets normal behavior. Common signs of illness include anorexia, lethargy, tooth grinding, wet chin, discharge from eyes or nose, head tilt head shaking, itching, sore hocks, blood and straining to urinate lumps , and change in feces.
Rabbits have a very unique and sensitive system so medicating them must be done with knowledge and caution. Seek veterinary care for your pet if exhibiting signs of illness. Our Dr. Santore has an interest in

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Action is important–act promptly and don’t give up too quickly
Tell neighbors—make flyers, be security conscious but knock on doors, offer a reward
Hiding places–pets often go missing near home look under the house, inside the car, crawl spaces etc
Food– use a favorite meal to entice your pet back in
Contact list– make a contact list and ring them daily (local vet hospitals, SPCA, rescues, animal control, schools.)
Advertise—run an ad in your local paper try to include a photo and watch the lost and found in your paper as well.

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Scratching pets can be very frustrating. Itchiness is very common. It is important to explore the cause if your pets itch. Itchiness is associated with the 5 “BIG” skin diseases. The 5 Big skin diseases are parasitic, food, Atopic (environmental allergens), bacteria, and yeast. Your veterinarian will employ several techniques to make a diagnosis. These techniques are examination, skin scraping, skin cytology, culture, allergy testing, biopsy, and food trial.

The location of a pets itch can also help diagnose the cause.

Foot licking is commonly from pollens. Flea allergy has a pattern of itch or hair loss over the rear and near tail base. Food allergy can look like foot licking, tail head itch, and perianal itch.

Ear disease is also strongly associated with allergens.

Once diagnosis is established treatment can be started. ALL itchy pets should have a flea preventative product on regardless of whether or not you see fleas. Typical products like Frontline, Advantage, and Revolution are known to have a wide margin of safety- use them!

It is very likely an itchy pet will require some topical treatment in the form of shampoo, lotion, or ointments. Medical treatment often includes antihistamines, antibiotics, omega fatty acids, steroids, and allergy shots.

Many diets are available to treat pets with a skin disease. These might utilize a novel protein such as fish, venison, or duck, etc. Hydrolyzed protein (small molecular wt) diets are the most hypoallergenic and are available through Hills and Royal Canin.

Managing an itchy pet takes time, perserverence, patience, and money.Take the steps necessary to identify the cause and follow your veterinarians advise on treatments.

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When Summer comes, it brings thunderstorms. The symptoms of storm phobias in dogs can be mild to extreme. Examples of symptoms are panting, pacing, tembling, remaining near owner, salivation, vocalization, destructive behavior, indoor elimination, and self trama. Many dogs that have storm phobia will also have seperation anxiety.

There are four methods to adressing storm phobia. Methods are used seperately and in conjunction. Methods are medication, phermones, behavior modification,and enviromental intervention.

Medications must be administered before the onset of the stimuli (the storm). Sedatives, anxioytics, and anti depressents are commonly used. They can be used as needed or some pets can start medication at the start of storm season. Common side effects are sedation, loss of coordination, and resistance.

Pheromones are species-specific chemical substances that effect behavoir.

Dog appearing phermone, or DAP, is a synthetic analog of appeasing phermone secreted during nursing. It has been studied and has been shown effective for firework phobia and seperation anxiety. Is is thought to be able to work with storm phobia as well. It comes in a diffuser or collar.

Behavior Modifaction (BM)

There are two types of BM protocols for storm phobia. Type one helps the dog engage in rewardable behavior. The owner should ask the dog to perform a known command such as ’sit’ or ‘down’, then reward it during the storm. Be careful not to reinforce the unacceptable behavior by speaking in soft tones, patting, etc, to console the pet. Sounds of the storm CD can be used to densentize. Enviromental Interventions are useful in a storm. Sequestering the dog in a darkened room and playing loud music to block sounds may also help.

We can help your pet tolerate storms. Feel free to ask for our help.

Densentization CD: Sounds Scary, Soundtherapy4pets.com

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Does your dog get overly excited when you come home even after only a short separation?

Does your dog become clingy with you?

Does your dog try to escape when confined(eg in a crate)?

How does your dog act when you are preparing to leave?

Does your dog urinate or defecate in the house? Only when left alone?

Has your dog ever ruined anything in the house when left alone?

Dogs are social creatures that bond with their human families as part of their social group. In some pets this can develop into hyperattachment. Signs of separation anxiety are:

• destructive chewing
• inappropriate elimination
• excessive barking or whining
• drooling, pacing, trembling
• vomiting
• withdrawl

The best threatment for canine separation anxiety includes Behavior Modification Plan(BMP).

Behavior modification plans give  the pet boundaries,which restore its confidence; a lack of boundaries creates confusioin and anxiety. The BOND(tm) BMP has been developed for owners to use,it can be used in conjunction with appropriate medication as well.

B–Be Positive

O–Only reward calm behavior

N–No more drama when you come and go

D–Develop your dogs independence

Pets respond to positive reinforcement that rewards relaxed behavior.Reprimanding undesirable behavior(eg urinating in house while owner gone) adds to anxiety; they do not associate bad behavior with punishment.

Owners should ignore the dog if it greets them excessively. Only when the dog has calmed down should the dog  get positive reinforcement The owner should not make a big deal of coming and going. Avoid saying good-bye upon leaving or hello upon returning.The dog should be distracted with a toy or treat 20 mins before the owner leaves–then simply leave  without speaking when its time to go.

Dogs should be taught to sit and stay on command. A special blanket or place should be used. Some dogs with SA will not tolerate a crate. The crate should only be used if the dog associates it with safety and relaxation. The dog will need to learn to have distance and time away from owner. Place dog in stay in its special place and gradually over time ask the dog to stay while you move further away. The goal is to be able to leave the dog for several minutes out of sight. You must do this very very gradually. It is also good practice to desensitize the dog to departure clues,for example by putting on work clothes,but then not leaving for work, or by picking up car keys without actually going out of the house.

Successful treatment for SA will likely take weeks or even months. Medication is available to aid in cases where BMP is not enough or is required to calm the dog enough to do BMP. Always enlist help from a veterinarian it will make success more likely.

(from NAVC, March 2009)

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