Add a bit of water into the barrel too, put the plunger on the back to block the water from coming out, point the syringe tip up and the air pocket will go up too – this gives you the chance to push the plunger in and only lose air! A fluid rate of 10–15ml/kg of isotonic crystalloids should be administered, followed by a 5 ml/kg infusion of Hetastarch over 5 to 10 minutes ( Lichtenberger, 2008). This position stops them from reversing and allows you good access to hold their head and administer the food whilst keeping them in a natural, standing position. Employing the rabbit Grimace Scale can improve pain recognition, although the changes can be subtle.

Due to the likely compromised health of animals that are not eating, Critical Care® Herbivore is to be used under the supervision of a veterinarian and the guidance of Oxbow. It definitely was some discomfort, I think he really must have hurt himself while eating, maybe receiving a small cut where he’s missing a tooth. kg SC or PO, 1-2 times daily) can be given alongside opioids, although, if the rabbit is shocked and moribund, there is a risk of compromising renal circulation, so it is preferable to administer NSAIDS after the rabbit has responded to warmth and intravenous fluids. Other foods, such as carrots or fruit puree, can be added to the mix to make it more appetising, and to allow it to pass through the tube more easily if necessary.It is vital that no more than 1ml of food is given per mouthful and that the rabbit is given time to chew and swallow. It is important with any syringe feeding that the correct syringes are used, especially for the Oxbow Critical Care, as adding warm water can make the fibre swell, so it is useful to remember to use the syringes provided with the product. Rabbits have been a popular domesticated pet for many years, with 2% of adults owning a rabbit and over 900 000 estimated to be owned within the UK alone, however, few people understand the requirements of rabbits for a happy, healthy life.

The recommended amount is to feed 50 cc of mixed product per kilogram of bodyweight (generally, divide this amount into 4-6 meals per day).For those animals who won’t eat on their own, Critical Care can be assist-fed via syringe or tube feeding.

Wrap in a towel or if the patient is calm, stand them on a towel with their bottom touching your chest and your arm cradling around the side of their body. Hay encourages rabbits to eat, stimulates gut motility and provides a sense of security and familiarity. The specially formulated product contains high-fiber Timothy Hay and the essential nutrients to ensure proper gut physiology and digestion. As hind gut fermenters, rabbits and other lagomorphs constantly require low-quality roughage and fibre to ensure continued gut motility, because of their highly specialised digestive tract.It is important to note that Emeraid is a semi-elemental diet, and is very different from some of the other tube feeding diets available. Once gut stasis and anorexia have been present for a time, there is a reduction in the supply of fluid and nutrients to the foregut and to the caecal microflora. You can hand feed rabbits quite well – once they have started to eat, you can hold up the next sprig, so it goes in like a never-ending piece of spaghetti. If the patient is unwilling to sit still, then you can use a towel to wrap them in the ‘bunny burrito’, which makes them easier to handle, supports their legs and backs and can make them feel calmer. Product mixed with water should be used within 24 hours of mixing and may need some added water to reach desired consistency after sitting.

Handling or unfamiliar surroundings can elevate blood glucose levels that can be as high as 30mmol/l in rabbits with acutely painful conditions such as intestinal obstruction. Weak, dehydrated animals may also require additional fluids to be administered by a veterinarian if they are not eating. It is comprised of a unique blend of energy supplying dextrose with protein concentrate, which can be used in all species in instances such as loss of appetite, starvation, surgery, and periods of recovery. Supporting these patients on their journey from dependence to independence can be challenging and relies on input from the whole veterinary team. The pet may have an intestinal blockage, which could be made worse by force-feeding food into the system.The large food retailers, including Burgess, Lafeber, Oxbow and Supreme, all have products available suitable for syringe feeding. Malnutrition has been associated with many concerns including a higher infection risk, prolonged hospitalisation and increased fatalities; endotoxic shock has been reported as a result of bacterial proliferation and bacterial translocation in anorexic rabbits ( Rosen, 2011).